xbps-install

Install a new package

$ xbps-install [package]

$ xbps-install [[-S|--sync]] [[-u|--update]]

xbps-install [options] [package ...]
xbps-install [-S | --sync] [-u | --update] [options]

-S, --sync
    Synchronizes the local repository data with the remote servers.

-u, --update
    Upgrades all installed packages and performs a full system update.

-y, --yes
    Assumes 'yes' to all prompts, allowing unattended operations.

-f, --force
    Forces the reinstallation of packages, even if they are already installed.

-r, --rootdir dir
    Installs packages into an alternative root directory, useful for chroot environments.

-R, --repository repo
    Specifies an alternative repository URL or path to use.

-o, --old-pkg
    Allows downgrading of packages if a newer version is currently installed.

-m, --manual
    Marks the specified packages as manually installed, preventing their auto-removal if no other package depends on them.

-A, --arch arch
    Overrides the default system architecture for package installation.

-k, --keep-pkg
    Prevents the removal of package files from the cache after successful installation.

-v, --verbose
    Displays verbose output, providing more detailed information during operations.

-D, --debug
    Enables debugging output, useful for troubleshooting.

xbps-install is the command-line utility for managing software packages in Void Linux. As part of the X Binary Package System (XBPS), it efficiently handles the installation of new software, system-wide upgrades, and the removal of existing packages. It is designed for speed and simplicity, automatically resolving package dependencies, fetching binaries from remote repositories, verifying their integrity using cryptographic signatures, and configuring them post-installation. It can install packages from official repositories, local `.xbps` files, or even direct URLs. Its robust design contributes to Void Linux's stability and fast update cycles. Users frequently employ it for daily system maintenance, from adding specific applications to performing full system upgrades with a single command.

Most operations require root privileges. A stable internet connection is crucial for fetching packages from remote repositories. While powerful, it lacks a graphical user interface, relying solely on the command line.

The most common command for a full system update is xbps-install -Su. This command first synchronizes repository data, then updates all installed packages, ensuring your system is up-to-date.

Packages can be installed from local .xbps files using xbps-install /path/to/package.xbps, allowing installations without an internet connection if the package is already downloaded.

XBPS, including xbps-install, was developed by Juan RP, the founder of Void Linux, around 2008-2009. It emerged from a desire for a fast, simple, and robust binary package management system that avoids the complexities of other tools. Its design emphasizes speed, dependency resolution, cryptographic package signing, and the ability to perform atomic updates, making it a cornerstone of the Void Linux distribution.

xbps-remove(8), xbps-query(8), xbps-pkgdb(8), xbps-alternatives(8), xbps-src(1)