How To Use Aur In Arch Linux Tutorial For Beginners

What is the Arch User Repository (AUR)?

The Arch User Repository (AUR) is a community-driven repository for Arch Linux users, containing package descriptions known as PKGBUILDs. These PKGBUILDs allow users to compile and install packages from source using makepkg and pacman, the default package manager for Arch Linux. The AUR serves as a platform for users to share and contribute their own package builds, which can eventually be included in the official repositories if they gain enough popularity and meet certain criteria.

How to Use the AUR in Arch Linux

Installing Necessary Tools

Before you can start using the AUR, you need to ensure you have the necessary development tools and git installed. You can do this by running the following command:

sudo pacman -S --needed base-devel git

This command will prompt you to install several software packages. Choose the default option, "all," by hitting Enter on your keyboard.

Using an AUR Helper

AUR helpers are command-line tools that simplify the process of searching for and installing packages from the AUR. One of the most popular AUR helpers is yay.

Installing Yay

To install yay, follow these steps:

Clone the Yay Repository:

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git

Enter the Yay Directory:
```
cd yay
```
Build and Install Yay:

makepkg -si

When prompted, press y to proceed with the installation.

Using Yay to Install AUR Packages

Once yay is installed, you can use it to search for and install AUR packages with a syntax similar to pacman. For example, to install Google Chrome, you would use:

yay -Ss google-chrome

yay also handles dependencies automatically, making the installation process more convenient.

Installing AUR Packages Manually

If you prefer not to use an AUR helper, you can still install packages manually.

Find the Package:
Search for the package you want to install on the AUR website.
Clone the Package Repository:
```
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/[package_name].git
```
Replace [package_name] with the actual name of the package you want to install.
Enter the Package Directory:

cd [package_name]

Build and Install the Package:
```
makepkg -si
```
When prompted, press y to proceed with the installation.

Enabling AUR Support in Manjaro

If you are using Manjaro, you need to enable AUR support in the package manager pamac.

Open Pamac:
Open the "Add/Remove Software" application.
Go to Preferences:
Navigate to the "Preferences" section.
Enable AUR Support:

In the preferences dialog box, go to the AUR tab and enable AUR support. Also, enable the option to check for updates and close the dialog box.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Much Can I Trust the AUR?

The AUR is as secure as the official community packages in terms of authentication, but since packages are maintained by users, there is a risk of encountering poorly maintained or outdated packages. Approach each installation with caution and check user comments on the package page for helpful tips.

How Do I Know an App Will Work Properly?

Check the package page on the AUR for user comments and feedback. Users often provide tips on how to make the app work if it's slightly broken or point to better alternatives.

What Does It Mean When My Helper Says "Local Package is Newer Than AUR?"

This message indicates that the package installed on your system is more recent than the one available in the AUR. In such cases, the AUR helper will ignore upgrades to avoid downgrading the package.

Voting for Packages

Voting for packages in the AUR helps in their inclusion into the official repositories. You can vote for packages by signing up on the AUR website and using the "Vote for this package" option. Alternatively, if you have set up AUR SSH authentication, you can vote from the command line using ssh [email protected] vote package_name.

Commenting on Packages

The AUR web interface allows users to comment on packages, providing feedback and suggestions to the maintainers. Avoid pasting patches or PKGBUILDs into the comments section; instead, email them to the maintainer or use a pastebin.

Optimizing Build Process

You can optimize the build process by adjusting /etc/makepkg.conf to use multiple cores for compression or to enable hardware-specific compiler optimizations via the CFLAGS variable. This can significantly improve package build times on multi-core processors.