AUR helpers

AUR helpers automate usage of the Arch User Repository. In particular, they may automate the following tasks:

  • searching for packages published on the AUR;
  • resolving of dependencies between AUR packages;
  • retrieve and build AUR packages;
  • retrieve web content, such as user comments;
  • submission of AUR packages.
Warning: AUR helpers are not supported by Arch Linux. You should become familiar with the manual build process in order to be prepared to troubleshoot problems.
Note: Please use the discussion page to suggest edits to this article: Talk:AUR helpers.

Pacman only handles updates for pre-built packages in its repositories. AUR packages are redistributed in form of PKGBUILDs and need an AUR helper to automate the re-build process. However, keep in mind that a rebuild of a package may be required when its shared library dependencies are updated, not only when the package itself is updated.

Legend

The #Comparison tables columns have the following meaning:

File review
Does not source the PKGBUILD at all by default; or alerts the user and offers the opportunity to inspect the PKGBUILD manually before it is sourced. Some helpers are known to source PKGBUILDs before the user can inspect them, allowing malicious code to be executed.
Diff view
Ability to view package differences on inspection. Besides the PKGBUILD, this includes changes to files such as .install or .patch files.
Git clone
Uses git-clone(1) by default to retrieve build files from the AUR.
Reliable parser
Ability to handle complex packages by using the provided metadata (RPC/.SRCINFO) instead of PKGBUILD parsing, such as aws-cli-gitAUR.
Reliable solver
Ability to correctly solve and build complex dependency chains, such as ros-melodic-desktopAUR.
Split packages
Ability to correctly build and install:
  • Multiple packages from the same package base, without rebuilding or reinstalling multiple times, such as clionAUR.
  • Split packages which depend on a package from the same package base, such as jellyfinAUR.
  • Split packages independently, such as python-pyalsaaudioAUR and .
Shell completion
Tab completion is available for the listed shells.
Note:
  • Optional means that a feature is available, but only through a command-line argument or configuration option.
  • Partial means that a feature is not fully implemented, or that it partially deviates from the given criteria.

Comparison tables

Search and download

NameWritten inFile reviewDiff viewGit cloneReliable parserReliable solverShell completionSpecificity
C++Yesbashprint build order
pbgetAUR Python
Gozsh
Bashbash

Search and build

NameWritten inFile reviewDiff viewGit cloneReliable parserReliable solverSplit packagesShell completionSpecificity
Bashbash, zsh
bauerbillAUR Pythonbash, zsh
PythonNo
Rustbash, zsh, fishlocal patch application, bubblewrap, .pkg.tar inspection

Pacman wrappers

NameWritten inFile reviewDiff viewGit cloneReliable parserReliable solverSplit packagesUnsafe flagsShell completionSpecificity
HaskellYesbash, fish, zsh
Bashbash, zsh
pakkuAUR Nimbash, zsh
Rustbash, fish, zsh
Python-Sybash, fish, zsh
PerlYesbash, fish, zsh
Gobash, fish, zsh

Graphical

Warning: Usage of graphical AUR helpers may lead to a defective system, for example through unattended partial upgrades.
  • Kalu Systray notification icon using libalpm and PolicyKit, with optional updater
https://github.com/Thulinma/kalu || kaluAUR

Maintenance

  • aur-out-of-date Uses hoster APIs to check AUR packages for upstream changes.
https://github.com/simon04/aur-out-of-date || aur-out-of-dateAUR

Other

  • aur-talk Fetch and display AUR comments.
https://github.com/GermainZ/aur-talk || aur-talk-gitAUR
gollark: Computational cuboid.
gollark: That would either be very painful or slightly painful, as well as pointless, depending on location.
gollark: Why would I jump out the house?
gollark: What if we do some kind of zzcxz roleplay?
gollark: I've asked about Minoteaur on esolangs now since lyricly is being so unhelpful.
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