$ Linux Command

Packages

apt-get

Install, upgrade, and remove packages on Debian and Ubuntu systems.

packageinstallupdatedebianubuntu

Additional Notes

apt-get is the stable APT command-line tool used on Debian, Ubuntu, Kali, Linux Mint, and related systems. It installs packages, refreshes package indexes, upgrades installed software, removes packages, and cleans cached package files.

Compared with apt, apt-get is more conservative and script-friendly. Use apt-get in automation and recovery notes; use apt for day-to-day interactive work when you prefer friendlier output.

Syntax

apt-get [options] command [package...]
sudo apt-get [options] command [package...]

Parameters

  • command: Package operation such as update, install, remove, upgrade, or autoremove.
  • package: Package name such as nginx, curl, or python3.
  • options: Flags that change confirmation, download, cache, or configuration behavior.

Common Commands

  • update: Refresh package indexes from configured repositories.
  • install PACKAGE: Install a package and required dependencies.
  • remove PACKAGE: Remove a package but usually keep system configuration files.
  • purge PACKAGE: Remove a package and its system configuration files.
  • upgrade: Upgrade installed packages without removing packages.
  • dist-upgrade: Upgrade and allow dependency changes when needed.
  • autoremove: Remove dependencies that are no longer needed.
  • autoclean: Remove old package files from the cache.
  • clean: Remove cached package files.

Common Options

  • -y: Assume yes for prompts. Useful in scripts, risky if the command may remove important packages.
  • -s, --simulate: Show what would happen without changing the system.
  • --no-install-recommends: Install required packages but skip recommended extras.
  • -d, --download-only: Download packages without installing them.
  • -f, --fix-broken: Try to repair broken dependencies.
  • -o KEY=VALUE: Override an APT configuration value for one run.

Examples

sudo apt-get update

Refresh repository metadata before installing or upgrading packages.

sudo apt-get install nginx

Install nginx and dependencies.

sudo apt-get remove nginx

Remove the package while leaving many configuration files behind.

sudo apt-get purge nginx

Remove the package and its system configuration files.

sudo apt-get -s dist-upgrade

Preview a dependency-changing upgrade before applying it.

sudo apt-get autoremove

Remove packages that were installed as dependencies and are no longer needed.

Practical Notes

  • Run apt-get update before installing when package names or versions cannot be found.
  • Use apt-get -s before large upgrades on servers.
  • Be careful with -y in scripts because it can approve removals too.
  • If a local .deb install broke dependencies, try sudo apt-get install -f.