$ Linux Command

Packages

rpm

Install, query, verify, and remove RPM package files.

packageinstallqueryrpmverify

Additional Notes

rpm is the low-level package tool used by RPM-based distributions such as Fedora, RHEL, CentOS, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux, and openSUSE. It can install local .rpm files, query installed packages, list package contents, verify installed files, and remove packages.

For normal repository-based installs, use dnf, yum, or zypper because they resolve dependencies. Use rpm when inspecting package files, verifying installed package state, or working with local package artifacts.

Syntax

rpm [mode] [options] [package-or-file]

Parameters

  • mode: Operation mode such as -q, -i, -U, -e, or -V.
  • package: Installed package name.
  • file: Local .rpm file or installed filesystem path.

Common Options

  • -q PACKAGE: Query whether a package is installed.
  • -qa: List all installed RPM packages.
  • -qi PACKAGE: Show installed package information.
  • -ql PACKAGE: List files installed by a package.
  • -qf PATH: Show which package owns a file.
  • -ivh FILE.rpm: Install a local RPM package with progress output.
  • -Uvh FILE.rpm: Upgrade or install a local RPM package.
  • -e PACKAGE: Remove an installed package.
  • -V PACKAGE: Verify installed files against package metadata.

Examples

rpm -qa | less

List installed packages.

rpm -qi bash

Show package metadata for bash.

rpm -ql bash

List files installed by the package.

rpm -qf /bin/ls

Find which installed package owns a file.

sudo rpm -Uvh ./package.rpm

Upgrade or install a local RPM file.

Practical Notes

  • Prefer dnf install ./package.rpm when you want dependency resolution.
  • Use rpm -V when checking whether installed files changed from package defaults.
  • Removing packages with rpm -e can break dependencies; package managers usually handle removals more safely.