118 lines
3.8 KiB
Markdown
118 lines
3.8 KiB
Markdown
# pacdef
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multi-backend declarative package manager for Linux
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## Installation
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`pacdef` is available in the AUR [as stable release](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pacdef) or [development version](https://aur.archlinux.org/packages/pacdef-git), and on [crates.io](https://crates.io/crates/pacdef).
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The AUR package will also provide completions for `zsh`.
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If you use the `crates.io` version you will need to copy the completion file to the right directory yourself.
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## Use-case
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`pacdef` allows the user to have consistent packages among multiple Linux machines by managing packages in group files.
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The idea is that (1) any package in the group files ("managed packages") will be installed explicitly, and (2) explicitly installed packages *not* found in any of the group files ("unmanaged packages") will be removed.
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The group files are maintained outside of `pacdef` by any VCS, like git.
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If you work with multiple Linux machines and have asked yourself "*Why do I have the program that I use every day on my other machine not installed here?*", then `pacdef` is the tool for you.
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## Of groups, sections, and packages
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`pacdef` manages multiple package groups (group files) that, e.g., may be tied to a specific use-case.
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Each group has one or more section(s) which correspond to a specific backend, like your system's package manager (`pacman`, `apt`, ...), or your programming languages package manger (`cargo`, `pip`, ...).
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Each section contains one or more packages that can be installed respective package manager.
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### Example
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Let's assume you have the following group files.
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`base`:
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```ini
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[arch]
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paru
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zsh
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[rust]
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pacdef
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topgrade
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```
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`development`:
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```ini
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[arch]
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rustup
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rust-analyzer
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[rust]
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cargo-tree
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flamegraph
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```
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Pacdef will make sure you have the following packages installed for each package manager:
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- Arch (`pacman`, AUR helpers): paru, zsh, rustup, rust-analyzero
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- Rust (`cargo`): pacdef, topgrade, cargo-tree, flamegraph
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Note that the name of the section corresponds to the ecosystem it relates to, rather than the package manager it uses.
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## Supported backends
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At the moment, supported backends are limited to the following.
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| Package Manager | Section | Application | Notes |
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|-----------------|-----------|-------------|------------------------------------------------------|
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| `pacman` | `arch` | Arch Linux | includes pacman-wrapping AUR helpers (configurable) |
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| `cargo` | `rust` | Rust | |
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Pull requests for additional backends are welcome!
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### Example
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This tree shows my pacdef repository (not the `pacdef` config dir).
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```
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.
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├── generic
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│ ├── audio
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│ ├── base
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│ ├── desktop
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│ ├── private
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│ ├── rust
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│ ├── wayland
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│ ├── wireless
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│ ├── work
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│ └── xorg
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├── hosts
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│ ├── hostname_a
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│ ├── hostname_b
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│ └── hostname_c
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└── pacdef.conf
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```
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- The `base` group holds all packages I need unconditionally, and includes things like zfs,
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[paru](https://github.com/Morganamilo/paru) and [neovim](https://github.com/neovim/neovim).
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- In `xorg` and `wayland` I have stored the respective graphic servers and DEs.
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- `wireless` contains tools like `iwd` and `bluez-utils` for machines with wireless interfaces.
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- Under `hosts` I have one file for each machine I use. The filenames match the corresponding hostname. The packages
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are specific to one machine only, like device drivers, or any programs I use exclusively on that machine.
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Usage on different machines:
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- home server: `base private hostname_a`
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- private PC: `audio base desktop private rust wayland hostname_b`
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- work PC: `base desktop rust work xorg hostname_c`
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## Naming
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`pacdef` combines the words "package" and "define".
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