How to use the command 'aura' (with examples)

The Aura Package Manager is a secure and multilingual package manager specifically designed for Arch Linux and the Arch User Repository (AUR). It provides a simple and intuitive command-line interface for managing packages.

Use case 1: Searching for packages from the official repositories and AUR

Code:

aura --aursync --both --search keyword|regular_expression

Motivation: This command allows users to search for packages from both the official repositories and the AUR. It is useful when looking for specific packages or when searching for packages based on a specific keyword or regular expression.

Explanation:

• --aursync: Synchronize the package database for the AUR.
• --both: Search both the official repositories and the AUR.
• --search keyword|regular_expression: Search for packages that match the specified keyword or regular expression.

Example output:

:: Searching AUR...
  1 aur/ttf-google-fonts-typewolf 1.0-1                        (403.2 KiB  367.3 KiB)
    Google Fonts (Typewolf curation)

:: Searching official repositories...
...

Use case 2: Installing a package from the AUR

Code:

aura --aursync package

Motivation: This command allows users to install packages from the AUR. The AUR is a community-driven repository that contains a wide variety of packages not available in the official repositories. Installing packages from the AUR gives users access to additional software and functionality.

Explanation:

• --aursync: Synchronize the package database for the AUR.
• package: The name of the package to be installed.

Example output:

==> Retrieving sources...
...
==> Validating source files with md5sums...
    package.tar.gz ... Passed
...
==> Installing package dependencies...
...
==> Making package: package 1.0-1 (Tue 01 Jan 2022 00:00:00 PM)

Use case 3: Updating all AUR packages in verbose mode and removing make dependencies

Code:

aura --aursync --diff --sysupgrade --delmakedeps --unsuppress

Motivation: This command allows users to update all AUR packages while providing detailed output and removing make dependencies after the update. By removing make dependencies, users can free up disk space and reduce clutter on their system.

Explanation:

• --aursync: Synchronize the package database for the AUR.
• --diff: Display the differences between locally-installed packages and those available in the AUR.
• --sysupgrade: Upgrade all packages to their latest versions.
• --delmakedeps: Remove make dependencies after updating packages.
• --unsuppress: Display all output, including package descriptions and progress updates.

Example output:

Checking whether it's time to synchronize the package database...
Synchronizing package databases...
...
Starting full system upgrade...
...
Summary:
Packets (2) [package1, package2]

Removed (2) [makepkg_dependency1, makepkg_dependency2]

Use case 4: Installing a package from the official repositories

Code:

aura --sync package

Motivation: This command allows users to install packages from the official repositories. The official repositories contain a wide range of software that has been tested and approved by the Arch Linux team. Installing packages from the official repositories ensures a higher level of stability and reliability.

Explanation:

• --sync: Synchronize the package database for the official repositories.
• package: The name of the package to be installed.

Example output:

resolving dependencies...
looking for conflicting packages...
...

Packages (1) package-1.0-1

Total Download Size:   250.0 KiB
Total Installed Size:  500.0 KiB
...

Use case 5: Synchronizing and updating all packages from the official repositories

Code:

aura --sync --refresh --sysupgrade

Motivation: This command allows users to synchronize and update all packages from the official repositories. Keeping packages up to date ensures that the system has the latest bug fixes, security patches, and feature enhancements. Synchronizing the package database ensures that the latest information about available packages is obtained.

Explanation:

• --sync: Synchronize the package database for the official repositories.
• --refresh: Refresh the package databases even if they appear to be up to date.
• --sysupgrade: Upgrade all packages to their latest versions.

Example output:

Synchronizing package databases...
...

Starting full system upgrade...
...
Summary:
Packets (6) [package1, package2, ...]

Total Download Size:   100.0 MiB
Total Installed Size:  250.0 MiB
...

Use case 6: Downgrading a package using the package cache

Code:

aura --downgrade package

Motivation: This command allows users to downgrade a package using the package cache. Downgrading a package can be useful in situations where a newer version of a package introduces issues or compatibility problems. By using the package cache, users can easily revert to a previous version of a package.

Explanation:

• --downgrade: Downgrade the specified package.
• package: The name of the package to be downgraded.

Example output:

Fetching sources...
Checking keyring...
Checking package integrity...
Loading package files...
...
Found package in package cache. Installing...
...
Downgrading package (1.0-1 => 0.9-1)
...

Use case 7: Removing a package and its dependencies

Code:

aura --remove --recursive --unneeded package

Motivation: This command allows users to remove a package and its dependencies from the system. Removing unnecessary packages and dependencies helps free up disk space and keeps the system clean and organized.

Explanation:

• --remove: Remove the specified package.
• --recursive: Remove all dependencies of the specified package.
• --unneeded: Remove packages that are no longer required by any other package.

Example output:

checking dependencies...
...
removing package...
...
removing package dependencies...
...
checking for orphan packages...
...

Use case 8: Removing orphan packages

Code:

aura --orphans --abandon

Motivation: This command allows users to remove orphan packages from the system. Orphan packages are packages that were installed as dependencies but are no longer required by any other package. Removing orphan packages helps streamline the system and reduce unnecessary clutter.

Explanation:

• --orphans: List all orphan packages that are no longer required.
• --abandon: Remove all orphan packages from the system.

Example output:

The following packages are orphaned and no longer required:

   package1
   package2
   ...

Press 'Y' to remove all orphan packages, or 'N' to cancel: Y
...

Conclusion:

The aura command is a versatile and powerful package manager for Arch Linux and the AUR. It provides a wide range of features and options for searching, installing, updating, downgrading, and removing packages. With its intuitive command-line interface, users can easily manage their packages and keep their systems up to date and well-maintained.