bash
sudo apt updateNotes
Run before installs or upgrades so package metadata is current.
Linux Package Management Cheat Sheet
Comprehensive Linux package management reference for apt, dnf, yum, pacman, zypper, rpm, and dpkg workflows across common distributions.
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APT and Debian/Ubuntu
Manage packages on Debian, Ubuntu, and apt-based systems.
Upgrade installed packages
Upgrade installed packages without removing old ones.
bashLINUXaptupgradedebian
bash
sudo apt upgradeNotes
Use `full-upgrade` when dependency changes are expected.
Perform full upgrade
Handle dependency changes and package removals if needed.
bashLINUXaptupgradedebian
bash
sudo apt full-upgradeNotes
Useful before major maintenance windows or distro transitions.
bash
sudo apt install nginx curl jqNotes
APT resolves dependencies automatically.
bash
sudo apt remove nginxNotes
Use `purge` to remove config files too.
bash
sudo apt purge nginxNotes
Useful when resetting a package to a clean state.
bash
apt search postgresqlNotes
Helpful when you know the capability but not the exact package name.
bash
apt show nginxNotes
Useful for version, dependencies, and package description.
bash
apt list --upgradableNotes
Good for change planning and patch windows.
bash
dpkg -S /usr/bin/psqlNotes
Very useful when auditing system files.
bash
dpkg -l | lessNotes
Classic package inventory on Debian-family systems.
DNF and Yum for RHEL family
Manage packages on Fedora, Rocky, AlmaLinux, CentOS Stream, and older yum systems.
bash
sudo dnf check-updateNotes
A safe way to inspect available package updates before applying them.
bash
sudo dnf upgradeNotes
Common patching command on modern RHEL-family systems.
bash
sudo dnf install nginx jqNotes
DNF replaced yum on newer Fedora/RHEL-family systems.
bash
sudo dnf remove nginxNotes
Useful for package cleanup and rollback.
bash
dnf search postgresNotes
Useful when exploring available packages in enabled repos.
bash
dnf info nginxNotes
Good for version checks and repository details.
bash
sudo dnf groupinstall 'Development Tools'Notes
Useful for compilers, build tools, or server roles.
bash
sudo yum install nginxNotes
Still relevant on older enterprise environments.
bash
rpm -qi openssh-serverNotes
Useful even when yum or dnf is unavailable.
bash
rpm -qf /usr/sbin/sshdNotes
Useful for auditing binaries and config origins.
Pacman and Zypper
Manage packages on Arch-based and SUSE-based systems.
bash
sudo pacman -SyNotes
Often paired with `-u` for a full system update.
Full system upgrade on Arch
Synchronize package databases and upgrade packages.
bashLINUXpacmanarchupgrade
bash
sudo pacman -SyuNotes
The standard full-update command on Arch-based systems.
bash
sudo pacman -S nginx jqNotes
Arch package installation command.
bash
sudo pacman -Rns nginxNotes
`-Rns` also removes unneeded dependencies and config backups where possible.
bash
pacman -Ss dockerNotes
Useful when discovering package names.
bash
sudo zypper refreshNotes
Run before install or patch operations.
bash
sudo zypper updateNotes
The standard package update workflow on zypper systems.
bash
sudo zypper install nginx jqNotes
Package installation workflow on openSUSE/SLES.
bash
sudo zypper remove nginxNotes
Useful for cleanup or rollback.
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