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apt

package managementlinux

The apt command is one of the most frequently used commands in Linux/Unix-like operating systems. apt The apt command is a high-level package management tool for Debian and Ubuntu-based Linux distributions, providing a user-friendly interface for installing, updating, removing, and managing software packages.

See Examples View Syntax

Quick Reference

Command Name:

apt

Category:

package management

Platform:

linux

Basic Usage:

apt [options] [arguments]

Common Use Cases

1
Package installation
Install software packages with automatic dependency resolution
2
System updates
Update the system and installed packages to latest versions
3
Package management
Search, install, remove, and manage software packages
4
Repository management
Add, remove, and configure software repositories

Syntax

apt [options] command

Options

Option	Description
-h, --help	Show help message
-v, --version	Show version information
-y, --yes	Automatically answer yes to prompts
-q, --quiet	No output except for errors
-s, --simulate	Simulate operations but don't actually perform them
-d, --download-only	Download packages but don't install them
--no-install-recommends	Don't install recommended packages
--install-suggests	Consider suggested packages as dependencies
--no-upgrade	Don't upgrade packages
--only-upgrade	Only upgrade already installed packages
--allow-downgrades	Allow packages to be downgraded
--reinstall	Reinstall packages that are already installed
--fix-broken	Fix broken dependencies
--verbose-versions	Show full versions for packages

Examples

How to Use These Examples

The examples below show common ways to use the apt command. Try them in your terminal to see the results. You can copy any example by clicking on the code block.

Basic Examples:

Update package list

sudo apt update

Upgrade all installed packages

sudo apt upgrade

Install a new package

sudo apt install package-name

Remove a package

sudo apt remove package-name

Search for a package

apt search keyword

Advanced Examples:

Update package list and upgrade in one command

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y

Install multiple packages

sudo apt install package1 package2 package3

Remove a package and its configuration files

sudo apt purge package-name

Remove orphaned packages (no longer needed dependencies)

sudo apt autoremove

Show detailed information about a package

apt show package-name

List all available upgrades

apt list --upgradable

Fix broken dependencies

sudo apt --fix-broken install

Clean the local repository of retrieved package files

sudo apt clean

Download a package without installing it

apt download package-name

Try It Yourself

Practice makes perfect! The best way to learn is by trying these examples on your own system with real files.

Understanding Syntax

Pay attention to the syntax coloring: commands, options, and file paths are highlighted differently.

Notes

Common Commands:

The apt tool provides several commands for package management:

update: Update the package list from repositories
upgrade: Upgrade installed packages to newer versions
full-upgrade: Upgrade packages, even if it requires removing other packages (similar to dist-upgrade in apt-get)
install: Install new packages
remove: Remove packages while keeping configuration files
purge: Remove packages along with their configuration files
autoremove: Remove automatically installed packages that are no longer needed
search: Search for packages by name or description
show: Display detailed information about packages
list: List packages based on criteria (installed, upgradable, etc.)
edit-sources: Edit sources.list using the default editor
clean: Remove downloaded package files from the local cache
autoclean: Remove obsolete downloaded package files

Apt vs Apt-get:

The apt command was designed as a more user-friendly alternative to apt-get and apt-cache:

More intuitive command structure and simplified options
Progress bar display for better usability
Color output for better readability
Combines commonly used features from apt-get, apt-cache, and apt-config
Designed for interactive use, while apt-get is better for scripting

Package Management Tips:

Always run sudo apt update before installing or upgrading packages to ensure you have the latest package information
Use apt list --installed to see all installed packages
Use apt show package-name to view detailed information about a package before installing it
Add -y flag to automatically answer yes to prompts in scripts (e.g., sudo apt install -y package-name)
Use apt search with grep for more specific searches: apt search text-editor | grep gtk
The apt full-upgrade command is similar to apt-get dist-upgrade and should be used with caution

Configuration:

APT uses several configuration files:

/etc/apt/sources.list: Main file listing package repositories
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/: Directory containing additional repository configuration files
/etc/apt/apt.conf and /etc/apt/apt.conf.d/: Configuration files for APT behavior
/etc/apt/preferences and /etc/apt/preferences.d/: Package pinning configuration

Package States:

Understanding package states can help manage your system:

Installed: Package is installed on the system
Upgradable: A newer version is available in the repositories
Held: Package is marked to not be upgraded automatically
Removable: Package installed but not required by other packages
Auto-removable: Package installed automatically but no longer required

Managing Package Versions:

To install a specific version of a package:

sudo apt install package-name=version

To prevent a package from being upgraded:

sudo apt-mark hold package-name

To allow a held package to be upgraded again:

sudo apt-mark unhold package-name

Important Notes:

Always use sudo when making changes to the system through apt
Be careful when using --allow-downgrades as it can potentially break dependencies
Use apt --simulate install package-name to see what would happen without making changes
For scripting and automated tasks, apt-get is still recommended over apt
The apt cache is stored in /var/cache/apt/archives/
Always check the suggested/recommended packages to avoid installing unnecessary software
When in doubt, use apt show to get details about a package before installation

Common Use Cases

Package installation

Install software packages with automatic dependency resolution

System updates

Update the system and installed packages to latest versions

Package management

Search, install, remove, and manage software packages

Repository management

Add, remove, and configure software repositories

System maintenance

Clean up package caches and perform system maintenance tasks

Related Commands

These commands are frequently used alongside apt or serve similar purposes:

Explore All Commands

Use Cases

1

Package installation

Install software packages with automatic dependency resolution

2

System updates

Update the system and installed packages to latest versions

3

Package management

Search, install, remove, and manage software packages

4

Repository management

Add, remove, and configure software repositories

5

System maintenance

Clean up package caches and perform system maintenance tasks

Learn By Doing

The best way to learn Linux commands is by practicing. Try out these examples in your terminal to build muscle memory and understand how the apt command works in different scenarios.

See Examples Try Lab Exercises

$ apt

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apt - Linux Command Guide