apt – package management for Debian/Ubuntu
apt is the high-level package manager for Debian-based Linux distributions (Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, etc.).
Synopsis
apt [OPTIONS] COMMAND [PACKAGE...]
Common Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
update | Update package lists |
upgrade | Upgrade all packages |
install | Install packages |
remove | Remove packages |
purge | Remove packages + config files |
search | Search for packages |
show | Show package details |
list | List packages |
autoremove | Remove unused dependencies |
Examples
Update package lists
$ sudo apt update
Hit:1 http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy InRelease
Get:2 http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu jammy-security InRelease [110 kB]
...
Upgrade all packages
$ sudo apt upgrade
$ sudo apt full-upgrade # Also removes obsolete packages
Install package
$ sudo apt install nginx
$ sudo apt install nginx php mysql-server # Multiple
Remove package
$ sudo apt remove nginx # Keep config files
$ sudo apt purge nginx # Remove everything
$ sudo apt autoremove # Clean unused dependencies
Search for packages
$ apt search nginx
$ apt search "web server"
Show package info
$ apt show nginx
Package: nginx
Version: 1.18.0-6ubuntu14
...
List packages
$ apt list --installed # Installed packages
$ apt list --upgradable # Packages with updates
Common Patterns
Update and upgrade
$ sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
Install without prompts
$ sudo apt install -y nginx
Clean up
$ sudo apt autoremove
$ sudo apt clean # Clear package cache
Fix broken packages
$ sudo apt --fix-broken install
apt vs apt-get
| Feature | apt | apt-get |
|---|---|---|
| Progress bar | Yes | No |
| Color output | Yes | No |
| Upgradable list | Yes | No |
| Scripts | No (can change) | Yes |
Use apt interactively, apt-get in scripts.
Tips
- Always update first:
apt updatebeforeapt install - Check before upgrade:
apt list --upgradable - Hold packages:
apt-mark hold packageto prevent upgrades - See what will happen:
apt install --dry-run package
