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

This article provides examples of how to use the auracle command-line tool to interact with Arch Linux’s User Repository (AUR).

Description

The auracle command is used to interact with the Arch Linux’s User Repository (AUR). It allows users to search for AUR packages, display package information, view the PKGBUILD file, and check for updates on installed AUR packages.

Use case 1: Display AUR packages that match a regular expression

Code:

auracle search 'regular_expression'

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to search for specific AUR packages based on a regular expression.

Explanation: The search subcommand is used to search for AUR packages that match the provided regular expression.

Example output:

auracle_api v1.0.3-1 (1 file) - Helpers for building API clients
aurasyncthing-git r13.b067f2a-1 (2 files) - Drop-in Syncthing replacement
bbs100 v1.5.0-7 (1 file) - BBS for UNIX-like systems

Use case 2: Display package information for a space-separated list of AUR packages

Code:

auracle info package1 package2

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to view information about specific AUR packages.

Explanation: The info subcommand is used to display package information for the provided AUR packages.

Example output:

Package: auracle
Version: 1.0.3-5
Description: A flexible command line client for Arch Linux's User Repository
Maintainer: Falco Hirschenberger <contact+falconindy@falconindy.com>
URL: https://github.com/falconindy/auracle
Built: Mon Nov  9 14:30:18 2020 UTC

Use case 3: Display the PKGBUILD file for a space-separated list of AUR packages

Code:

auracle show package1 package2

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to view the PKGBUILD file for specific AUR packages.

Explanation: The show subcommand is used to display the PKGBUILD file (build information) for the provided AUR packages.

Example output:

# Maintainer: Falco Hirschenberger <contact+falconindy@falconindy.com>

pkgname=auracle
pkgver=1.0.3
pkgrel=5
pkgdesc='A flexible command line client for Arch Linux'\''s User Repository'
arch=('i686' 'x86_64')
url='https://github.com/falconindy/auracle'
license=('MIT')
...

Use case 4: Display updates for installed AUR packages

Code:

auracle outdated

Motivation: This use case is useful when you want to check for updates on installed AUR packages.

Explanation: The outdated subcommand is used to display the updates available for installed AUR packages.

Example output:

auracle 1.0.3-5  -> 1.0.3-6

Conclusion

The auracle command-line tool provides a convenient way to interact with Arch Linux’s User Repository (AUR). Whether you want to search for AUR packages, view package information, check for updates, or access the PKGBUILD file, auracle has got you covered.