If you are using Arch Linux If you're running an Arch-based distribution like Manjaro, Archbang, or EndeavourOS, you've likely come across the term AUR. What is it? How can you use it? Learn what AUR is and how to use it in Arch Linux.
What is AUR?
The Arch User Repository (AUR) is a place where you can find software that has not been tested by Arch's creators and administrators but by its users. Thanks to this, you have access to a huge catalog of software not found in the official repositories.
How to Use AUR in Arch Linux
There are two ways to access the AUR software suite.
Most people prefer to use AUR Helpers, which work similarly to Arch's default package manager, Pacman, but offer some of their own features and quirks, such as allowing you to quickly modify build configurations. This approach automates pulling and building source code from the AUR while using familiar commands.
Alternatively, you can download the package directly from the AUR and compile it manually.
Using AUR Assistant
There are many AUR helpers you can use. It can be said that Spring It is the most popular. For this article, we will follow it.
- Install Development Tools And the necessary gateway, if it is not already available in your distribution:
sudo pacman -S --needed base-devel git
You will be presented with several software add-ons and asked to choose which one you want to install.
Go to default option, "everyone" , by pressing Enter on the keyboard.
2. Write y And press Enter When asked if you want to continue with the installation.
3. To bring yay On the board, drag the icon first:
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git
4. Enter folder yay:
cd yay
5. Assemble Package:
makepkg -yes
6. Press y When asked if you would also like to Install the integrated package.
Tip: If you're coming from Ubuntu or Debian, you can also Installing a deb file in Arch Linux.
Using Yay to install AUR packages
Yay uses a similar syntax as Pacman, so you can easily install AUR packages using the same command:
yay -Ss package
For example, to install Google Chrome You can use:
yay -Ss google-chrome
What's great about AUR helpers like yay is that they also automatically handle dependencies. These are additional files required by the program you're trying to install.
Using Yay to uninstall AUR packages
To uninstall anything installed through yay, you will have to use yay again. Therefore, you can use the parameter -R But it is better to choose -Rns , which performs a better cleaning task.
The mark guides -n و -s Yay To ignore any backup assignments and remove all unused package dependencies, respectively.
For example, to remove Google Chrome:
yay -Rns google-chrome
You can also remove additional packages and any leftovers from previous installations with yay using:
yay -Yc
A graphical approach to installing and managing AUR packages
If you prefer a graphical approach, you can install pamac with Yay.
To install pamac, use the command:
yay -S pamac-aur
After installation, you can run the application. Add/Remove Programs In the apps list. If it helps, you can also type "pamac" In the search bar and the app will appear anyway.
tap on Settings icon Go to a section "Preferences". within the section "third party" Toggle to enable AUR support.
You can now search for AUR packages and install/remove them.
Good to know: To improve package management, you may want to consider installing snap applications in Arch Linux.
Install AUR packages manually
If you decide to go the manual route, you can download packages directly from the AUR, compile them, and install them. For example, here are the steps to manually get Google Chrome from the AUR:
- Make sure you have Essential development tools The gate is installed with:
sudo pacman -S --needed base-devel git
2. Cloning Google Chrome Portal locally:
git clone https://aur/archlinux.org/google-chrome.git
3. Change to the directory created by Git and install the package:
cd google-chrome makepkg -si
After a short while, you will find Google Chrome among the rest of the installed applications.
If you want to do this with other packages in the AUR, head over to the site Web database Use the search function to find what you need there. You can even type in a descriptive word for what you want the package to do, and the database will search for its package descriptions.
Once you click on the package there, the URL you want to clone will be found under “Git Clone URL”, It is usually below the package name at the top of the web page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. How much can I trust AUR?
answer. Authentication is as strict for AURs as it is for official community packages, so the chance of encountering malware is extremely low.
However, if the package is poorly maintained or is run as a server, it may cause errors when your system starts. As with anything user-controlled, treat every application you install with a degree of caution.
There are many apps maintained by community members, not actual developers. These may become a bit outdated before an update is pushed out. If something happens during the update process, don't panic and wait a little while for someone to fix it in the next update if you can.
Q2. How do I know the app will work properly?
answer. By visiting the app on the AUR page, you'll find relevant comments as you scroll down. Sometimes, AUR users comment here when they have helpful tips on how to make the app work if it's a little buggy upon delivery. Other times, they'll point out a better alternative to the same app elsewhere on the AUR that's more properly maintained.
Q3. What does it mean when my helper says “The local package is newer than the AUR?”
answer. In some cases, Arch's official repository maintainers may include a package previously provided in the AUR in their database. Often, the official package will be more up-to-date than what the AUR maintainer provides.
When this message appears on your terminal, the package installed on your system is newer than what the AUR currently offers, causing it to ignore its own upgrades because they would actually downgrade what you have.
