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aptitude command in Linux with examples

Last Updated : 11 Jul, 2025

The aptitude command in Linux provides a user-friendly interface to interact with the machine's package manager. It functions similarly to a control panel, like in Windows, allowing you to install, upgrade, and remove packages. The command can be used in either a visual interface or directly via the command line, similar to the apt-get command.

aptitude command in Linux package system opens up a highly built-in interface to interact with the package manager of the machine. It is the control panel of programs and packages in Windows. You can install, upgrade and remove your packages using this well-built interface. Also, the actions can be performed using the command-line(similar to apt-get command) or the visual interface.

Installation aptitude 1. For Non-Root Users: 2. For Root Users: Syntax

aptitude [options] <action> ...

After running the command, the terminal will open up the interactive interface.

Important Usage of aptitude command: Command-line Actions

If none is specified then aptitude command will enter into the interactive mode and following actions can be performed using the command-line interface.

install: To install or upgrade the packages.
Syntax:
```
aptitude install package_name
```
remove: To remove the packages.
Syntax:
```
aptitude remove package_name
```
purge: To remove the packages and their configuration files. This will remove the package along with all its associated configurations, data files, and details.
Syntax:
```
aptitude purge package_name
```
hold: To place the packages on hold by canceling any active installation, upgrade, or removal, and prevent this package from being automatically upgraded in the future as well.
Syntax:
```
aptitude hold package_name
```
unhold: Cancel a hold command for a package.
markauto: To mark packages as having been automatically installed.
unmarkauto: To mark packages as having been manually installed.
forbid-version: To forbid aptitude from upgrading to a specific package version.
update: To download the lists of new or upgradable packages.
safe-upgrade: To perform a safe upgrade.
full-upgrade: To perform an upgrade, possibly installing and removing packages and also to install packages which safe-upgrade cannot do.
Syntax:
```
aptitude full-upgrade
```
build-dep: To install the build-dependencies of packages.
forget-new: To forget what packages are "new".
search: This is used to search for a package by name and/or expression.
show: To display detailed info about a package.
Syntax:
```
aptitude show package
```
Example:
showsrc: To display detailed info about a source package (apt wrapper).
versions: To display the versions of specified packages.
clean: To erase downloaded package files.
autoclean: To erase old downloaded package files.
Syntax:
```
aptitude autoclean
```
Example:
changelog: To view a package's changelog.
download: To download the .deb file for a package (apt wrapper).
source: To download source package (apt wrapper).
reinstall: To reinstall a currently installed package.
why: To get the explanation why a particular package should be installed.
why-not: To get the explanation why a particular package cannot be installed.
add-user-tag: To add user tag to packages/patterns.
remove-user-tag: To remove user tag from packages/patterns.

Commonly used aptitude command options

Options

Description

-D, --show-deps

It is used for the commands which are used to install or remove the packages.

-f

Used to fix the dependencies of the broken packages.

-d, --download-only

Used to download the packages to the package cache if required. But this option will not install or remove anything.

-h, --help

It will display a help message and exit.

Conclusion

The aptitude command is a versatile tool for managing packages in Linux. With both interactive and command-line modes, it allows for a wide range of package management tasks, from installation to updates, and even dependency fixing. If you prefer a visual interface or prefer the command line, aptitude offers extensive functionality for users of all levels.

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