The pacman command

Refreshing the Package Database

pacman -Syy

  • S: sync.

  • y: refresh the packets database.

  • y: force to refresh the local databases (even if it is up to date).

The mirror list

When pacman performs an operation that requires synchronization (like installing a package), it uses the servers listed in /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist, trying them from top to bottom.

If your downloads are slow, it is a good idea to regenerate your mirror list.

Managing packages

  • pacman -S <package_name>: to install a package. pacman will automatically handle and install any necessary dependencies. You can install multiple packages at once by listing them with spaces in between.

  • pacman -R <package_name>: to uninstall a package.

    • R: remove.

  • pacman -Ss <keyword>: to search for a package if you do not know the exact name.

System maintenance

  • pacman -Syu: it synchronizes your package databases and then upgrades all out-of-date packages on the system.

    • u: update.

    Two weeks between upgrades is a good amount of time.

  • pacman -Qdt: to find orphan packages. These are packages that were installed as dependencies but are no longer required by any installed package.

    • Q: query.

    • d: skips dependency checks.

    • t: limit the results to orphan packages.