Abstrax

Packages

The package command group manages system packages through apt. It is intended for Debian and Ubuntu based systems.

abstrax package <action> [arguments] [flags]

Permissions

Commands that change installed packages (install, remove, update, upgrade) require root. The read-only commands search, info, and list do not require root.

Package name validation

Package names are validated before any change. A name may contain letters, digits, and the characters _ . + -, up to 128 characters.

package install

Install a package, optionally pinning a version.

sudo abstrax package install <name> [flags]
Flag Description
--version Specific package version to install 
sudo abstrax package install nginx
sudo abstrax package install nginx --version=1.24.0-1ubuntu1

package remove

Remove a package. Use --purge to also remove its configuration files.

sudo abstrax package remove <name> [flags]
Flag Description
--purge Purge configuration files as well as the package 
sudo abstrax package remove nginx
sudo abstrax package remove nginx --purge

package update

Update the package lists (equivalent to apt update).

sudo abstrax package update

package upgrade

Upgrade installed packages. Use --security-only to apply security updates only.

sudo abstrax package upgrade
sudo abstrax package upgrade --security-only
Flag Description
--security-only Apply security updates only

Search for packages. Does not require root.

abstrax package search <query>

Example output

NAME       DESCRIPTION
nginx      small, powerful, scalable web/proxy server
nginx-core nginx web/proxy server (standard version)

package info

Show details for a package. Does not require root.

abstrax package info <name>

  Name:          nginx
  Version:       1.24.0-1ubuntu1
  Architecture:  amd64
  Status:        installed
  Description:   small, powerful, scalable web/proxy server

package list

List installed packages. Does not require root.

abstrax package list

NAME       VERSION              ARCHITECTURE
nginx      1.24.0-1ubuntu1      amd64
curl       8.5.0-2ubuntu10      amd64

Notes

  • These commands use apt. On systems without apt, they will not work. Run abstrax doctor to confirm the detected package manager.
  • Long-running operations such as upgrade may take time. Use --verbose to see the underlying command being run.