$ Linux Command

Packages

dpkg-divert

Override the location of a package file during installation.

debianpackagedpkgdiversionoverride

Additional Notes

dpkg-divert manages file diversions, which force dpkg to install a file to a different location instead of its default path. This is useful when two packages ship the same filename and you want to keep both, or when you need to replace a configuration file with a custom version without triggering package manager conflicts.

A diversion tells dpkg to rename the original file and install the package's version at a different path. When the package is removed, the diversion can be removed and the original file restored. Diversions are recorded in the dpkg database and survive package updates.

Syntax

dpkg-divert [options] [--add|--remove] file

Parameters

  • --add: Add a diversion.
  • --remove: Remove a diversion.
  • file: The filename to divert.

Common Options

  • --divert divert-to: Specify the new location for the file when the package is installed.
  • --package package: Restrict the diversion to a specific package.
  • --local: Alias for --divert /usr/local/dist/file --package local.
  • --rename: Actually move the file aside when adding the diversion.
  • --no-rename: Do not move the file, just record the diversion.
  • --list: List all current diversions.
  • --listpackage file: Show which package diverts a file.
  • --truename file: Return the real path of a diverted file.

Examples

dpkg-divert --add --rename --divert /etc/example.conf.bak /etc/example.conf

Divert /etc/example.conf so that future installations place it at /etc/example.conf.bak.

dpkg-divert --list

Show all current diversions on the system.

dpkg-divert --remove --rename /etc/example.conf

Remove the diversion and restore the original file location.

dpkg-divert --listpackage /etc/example.conf

Show which package, if any, diverts the file.

Practical Notes

  • Use --rename carefully; it moves the file immediately and can break running services.
  • Diversions are often used to customize configuration files that package updates would otherwise overwrite.
  • Always use --package when creating package-specific diversions to avoid conflicts.
  • To see if a file is diverted, run dpkg-divert --list or check with dpkg --verify.
  • Removing a diversion before the diverting package is removed can cause file conflicts.