Linux Command Reference: aptitude (Debian, Ubuntu)

aptitude is the menu-driven package manager for Debian-based Linux distributions (including Ubuntu and other derivatives).

Use the aptitude interface to install new packages, upgrade installed packages, and remove packages.

Note: The command-line driven apt-get may be used in place of aptitude where a menu-driven interface is not required.

Contents 1 Using aptitude 1.1 Navigation 1.2 Package Selection 1.3 Commands 2 Install Packages 3 Upgrade Packages 4 Remove Packages 5 Related Commands

Using aptitude

Enter aptitude from the console to enter the menu-driven package management interface.

Navigation

• Up or j - Scroll up
• Down or k - Scroll down
• Enter - Functions depends upon view:
  1. Expand or collapse a group of packages
  2. View information about a package

Package Selection

• + - Install or upgrade a package
• - - Remove a package
• = - Hold a package at its current version (prevent package upgrade)
• _ - Remove a package and its configuration files
• M - Mark a package as being automatically installed
• m - Mark a package as being manually installed
• u - Update the list of available packages
• U - Mark all upgradeable packages to be upgraded

Commands

• g - Perform all pending installations, removals, and upgrades
• / - Perform a search
• v - Show available versions of the selected package
• d - Show dependencies of the selected package
• r - Show packages which depend upon the selected package
• ? - Display help
• q - Quit or return to prior view

Install Packages

1. Press u from the aptitude interface to update the list of packages available for installation
2. Navigate the menu and press + to select the packages you wish to install
3. Once you have selected all the packages you wish to install, press g to begin downloading and installing the package files

Upgrade Packages

1. Press u from the aptitude interface to update the list of packages available for installation
2. Press U to upgrade all packages which may be upgraded
3. Press g to begin downloading and installing upgraded package files

Remove Packages

1. Navigate the aptitude menu and press - to select the packages you wish to remove
2. Press g to begin removing the packages

Related Commands

• apt-get