Arch linux package manager gui

Pamac – Easily Install and Manage Software on Arch Linux

Arch Linux is one of the most popular Linux distribution available despite its apparent technicality. Its default package manager pacman is powerful but as time always tells, it is a lot easier to get certain things done using a mouse because GUI apps barely require any typing nor do they require you to remember any commands; and this is where Pamac comes in.

Pamac is a Gtk3 frontend for libalpm and it is the GUI tool that Arch Linux users turn to the most when they aren’t in the mood to manage their software packages via the terminal; and who can blame them? It was specifically created to be used with Pacman.

It enables users to search for and install applications on their computer with easy-to-follow steps. Users can also browse for new applications, check for updates, and uninstall unwanted packages. Would you like to try out Pamac? Read on.

Yaourt is a command line program which complete pacman for installing third party additional software in Arch Linux. If you have installed Arch Linux from scratch, Yaourt program won’t be installed by default. You need to install it manually as shown.

How to Install Yaourt in Arch Linux

To install Yaourt on Arch Linux, run the following commands.

$ sudo pacman -S --needed base-devel git wget yajl $ cd /tmp $ git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/package-query.git $ cd package-query/ $ makepkg -si && cd /tmp/ $ git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yaourt.git $ cd yaourt/ $ makepkg -si

Once Yaourt installed on your PC, you can use this command to install Pamac on your workstation as shown.

Launch Pamac when the installation is complete by either right-clicking on its icon in your system tray or selecting “Add/Remove Software” in your menu.

You will notice that Pamac’s UI is divided into 6 sections:

• Categories – list all available software applications into specific category.
• Groups – for installing packages from specific groups e.g. gnome, base, etc.
• Repositories – for installing packages from specific repositories e.g. Core, Community, etc.
• Installed – for viewing all installed apps including packages that are still downloading and orphaned packages.
• Updates – for viewing all available package updates..
• Pending – for viewing software pending updates.

Pamac gives users access to both official packages from Arch repositories and un-official packages from the community-driven AUR repo and if you want, you can enable AUR support on your PC by tweaking the preferences option from the menu.

Pacman has other frontend tools that work with it but Pamac has proven to be the most used. Have you had any experience with it, or maybe its alternatives? Share your thoughts with us in the comments section below.

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Best Graphical Package Managers for Arch Linux

A package manager is essential for the installation, removal, and upgrade of user and system-targeted packages on a Linux distribution. Also, package managers are viably applicable in resolving dependency issues in order for a targeted package to function as expected.

In Linux, a package manager can either be used in CLI (Command Line Interface) mode or GUI (Graphical User Interface) mode.

• CLI mode users have much more experience with Linux distributions and can easily adapt to the usage of a package manager on the command line.
• GUI mode users need a soft introduction to the Linux ecosystem hence a graphical package manager is ideal for them.

In Arch Linux, the pacman package manager is the default package manager for the management of software packages in arch-based Linux distributions.

1. Apper

Apper package manager uses PackageKit, which has an all-in-one interface making it easy for users to easily navigate and execute functions related to package management through the click of a menu button.

Apper makes it possible to either run an entire system update on out-of-date packages or target specific packages for updates. It is also possible to manage packages based on the Desktop environment being used with Arch Linux. For instance, it offers support for desktop environments like GNOME, KDE, and XFCE.

It can be installed via the pacman package manager from the official repository.

2. Deepin App Store

Deepin app store is designed for the Deepin Desktop Environment that is built with PackageKit and AppStream, which provides users a preview of searched packages prior to their installation.

It is relatively fast in its user-initiated search queries and comes with changeable notification settings for installed & uninstalled apps and available & finished updates.

To install Deepin App Store, use the following command.

$ sudo pacman -S deepin-store

3. Discover

Discover is an all-in-one software package manager and app store that was designed for the KDE Plasma desktop but works in any desktop environment.

Discover helps you search and install software packages, games, and tools. You can search or explore software packages by category, and manage them from multiple sources, including your system’s default repository, flatpak repos, the Snap store, or even AppImages.

To install Discover, use the following command.

4. GNOME PackageKit

For GNOME desktop users, the GNOME PackageKit package manager comes with a collection of PackageKit graphical tools. It lists packages compatible with the Desktop environment you are using e.g GNOME, KDE, XFCE.

To install GNOME PackageKit, use the following command.

$ sudo pacman -S gnome-packagekit

5. GNOME Software

GNOME Software is a package manager for installing applications and updates on the Gnome desktop but works on most of the other desktop environments as well.

It is equipped with three main functionalities where users can either explore existing apps, remove already installed apps, or run a general system update. It supports AppStream, Flatpak, and Firmware updates.

To install GNOME Software, use the following command.

$ sudo pacman -S gnome-software

6. Bauh

Initially recognized as fpakman, the Bauh package manager comes with an interactive and easy-to-use graphical interface for seamless management of Linux packages and applications on Arch Linux distribution.

Supported Linux application/package formats include Web applications, Flatpak, AppImage, Snap, Debian packages, and Arch Linux packages like AUR.

Key features

• An all-in-one management panel for searching, installing, uninstalling, upgrading, downgrading, and launching apps.
• TimeShift integrated system backup for a safe and simple backup process prior to the implementation of any system changes.
• Tray mode (attached to system tray) for publishing available software update notifications.
• Custom themes for users to configure a style/appearance preference of the Bauh app.

To install bauh, download the latest AppImage file and launch it as shown.

$ wget https://github.com/vinifmor/bauh/releases/download/0.10.3/bauh-0.10.3-x86_64.AppImage $ chmod a+x bauh-0.10.3-x86_64.AppImage $ ./bauh-0.10.3-x86_64.AppImage

7. Octopi

With a front end inspired by Qt libs, the Octopi package manager is an ideal and powerful UI app for Pacman/AUR functionalities. Its feature-rich interface makes it adaptable and ideal for many Arch Linux users.

Octopi is also equipped with tools like Repository Editor and Cache Cleaner to make system and app management easier.

Key features

• Grouping of packages based on target platform e.g arduino.
• Integrated with a command-line interface for flexible command(s) execution.
• All-in-one interface for easier navigation.
• Detailed info on the searched package like download size and installation size.

To install Octopi, use the following command.

8. Pamac

Pamac package manager is built for Manjaro Linux, which makes it easy to manage software packages and system updates on your Arch Linux distribution.

It offers a set of powerful package management features on top of its user-friendly interface like package installation via repository access, browsing of available packages, and direct system update.

Key features

• App categorization based on target usage e.g Games, Utilities, Development.
• Software and package grouping based on platform compatibility e.g arduino.
• Package/software search and installation based on listed repository i.e core, extra, and community.

To install Pamac, use the following command.

The above-discussed graphical package manager options make life easier for Arch Linux users that prefer an interactive desktop environment for their Linux experience.

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GUI Apps for Package Management in Arch Linux

Installing Arch Linux is considered challenging. This is why several Arch-based distributions exist to make things easier by providing a graphical installer.

Even if you manage to install Arch Linux, you’ll notice that it relies heavily on the command line. You’ll have to open the terminal if you have to install applications or update the system.

Yes! Arch Linux does not have a software center. Shocking for many, I know.

If you feel uncomfortable using the command line for managing applications, you can install a GUI tool. This helps in searching for packages and installing and removing them from the comfort of the GUI.

Wondering which graphical frontend for pacman commands you should use? I have some suggestions to help you get started.

Please note that some software managers are desktop environment specific.

1. Apper

Apper is a minimal Qt5 application and package manager using PackageKit which also supports AppStream and automatic updates. But, there is no AUR support.

To install it from the official repos use the command below.

2. Deepin App Store

Deepin App Store is an app store for Deepin Desktop Environment built with DTK(Qt5), using PackageKit with AppStream support and also provides system update notifications. There is no AUR support.

To install it, use the command below.

sudo pacman -Syu deepin-store

3. Discover

Discover needs no introduction for KDE Plasma users. It is a Qt-based application manager using PackageKit which supports AppStream, Flatpak and Firmware updates.

For installing Flatpak and Firmware updates from Discover flatpak and fwupd packages need to be installed respectively.

sudo pacman -Syu discover packagekit-qt5

4. GNOME PackageKit

GNOME PackageKit is a GTK3 package manager using PackageKit which supports AppStream. Unfortunately, there is no AUR support.

To install it from the official repos use the command below.

sudo pacman -Syu gnome-packagekit

5. GNOME Software

GNOME Software needs no introduction for GNOME desktop users. It is the GTK4 application manager using PackageKit which supports AppStream, Flatpak and Firmware updates.

There is no AUR support. To install Flatpak and Firmware updates from GNOME Software flatpak and fwupd packages need to be installed respectively.

sudo pacman -Syu gnome-software-packagekit-plugin gnome-software

6. tkPacman

It is a Tk pacman wrapper written in Tcl. The interface is similar to Synaptic Package Manager.

It is quite lightweight due to no GTK/Qt dependencies as it is uses Tcl/Tk GUI toolkit.

It does not support AUR which is ironic because you need to install it from AUR. You need to install an AUR helper like yay beforehand.

7. Octopi

Consider it a better looking cousin of tkPacman. It uses Qt5 and Alpm and also supports Appstream and AUR (via yay).

You also get desktop notifications, repository editor and cache cleaner. The interface is similar to Synaptic Package Manager.

To install it from the AUR, use the following command.

8. Pamac

Pamac is the graphical package manager from Manjaro Linux. It based on GTK3 and Alpm and supports AUR, Appstream, Flatpak and Snap.

Pamac also supports automatic download of updates and downgrade of packages.

It is the most widely used Application in Arch Linux derivatives. But, has been notorious for DDoSing the AUR webpage.

There are several ways to install Pamac on Arch Linux. The simplest would be to use an AUR helper.

Conclusion

To remove any of the above-mentioned GUI package managers along with the dependencies and configuration files, use the following command replacing packagename with the name of package to be removed.

sudo pacman -Rns packagename

So it seems Arch Linux can also be used without touching the terminal with the right tools.

There are also some other applications also which use Terminal User Interface (TUI). A few examples are pcurses, cylon, pacseek, and yup. But, this article is about only the ones with proper GUI.

Note: PackageKit opens up system permissions by default, and is otherwise not recommended for general usage. Because if the user is part of the wheel group no password is required to update or install any software.

You saw several options for using GUI software center on Arch Linux. It’s time to make a decision on using one of them. Which one would you choose? Pamac or OctoPi or something else? Leave a quick comment below right now.

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