---
extends: _layouts.post
section: content
title: Pacman Cheat Sheet For Ubuntu Users
date: 2020-08-24
description: My Pacman cheat sheet for Ubuntu Users.
tags: [Arch]
---

As a regular Ubuntu user I am used to using *apt* for system maintenance. But now that I've installed [Arch Linux](/posts/installing-arch-linux-on-a-x220-thinkpad/) I will be using *pacman* and so below is a cheat sheet for myself that shows the *pacman* equivalent of some common *apt* actions.


Action | Apt | Pacman |
-------|-----|--------------------|
Install a package  | apt install <package name>| pacman -S <package name> |
Remove a package  | apt remove <package name> | pacman -Rs <package name> |
Search for a package | apt serch <search term> | pacman -Ss <regexp> |
Upgrade packages | apt update && apt upgrade | pacman -Syu |
Upgrade distribution | apt update && apt dist-upgrade | pacman -Syu |
Clean up local caches | apt autoclean | pacman -Scc |
Remove unused dependencies | apt autoremove | pacman -Qmq | pacman -Rs - |


## Install a Package

```shell
$ pacman --sync <package name>

$ pacman -S <package name>
```

Installs a package and its dependencies.

## Remove a Package

```shell
$ pacman --remove --recursive <package name>

$ pacman -Rs <package name>
```

Removes a package and all its dependencies, provided that (A) they are not required by other packages; and (B) they were not explicitly installed by the user.

## Search For a Package

```shell
$ pacman --sync --search <regexp>

$ pacman -Ss <regexp>
```

Searches in the sync database for packages with a name or description that match the regexp.

## Upgrade Packages

```shell
$ pacman --sync --refresh --sysupgrade

$ pacman -Syu
```

Downloads a fresh copy of the master package database and then upgrades all out-of-date packages.

## Upgrade Distribution

```shell
$ pacman --sync --refresh --sysupgrade

$ pacman -Syu
```

Since Arch uses a rolling release system there is no distribution version as you just upgrade your packages to their latest versions.

## Clean Up Local Caches

```shell
$ pacman --sync --clean --clean

$ pacman -Scc
```

Free up disk space by removing from the cache any packages that are no longer installed. Also removes any cached sync databases.

## Remove Used Dependencies

```shell
$ pacman --query --deps --unrequired --quiet | pacman --remove --recursive -

$ pacman -Qdtq | pacman -Rs -
```

Remove dependencies that are no longer needed, because e.g. the package which needed the dependencies was removed.