Debreate

Free plan Linux

What Debreate is

Debreate is free, open-source Linux software for creating installable Debian .deb packages. It targets Debian-based distributions and is intended for packaging applications, artwork, media, and themes. The tool creates binary packages for personal distribution; it does not create source packages or build binary packages from source. A wizard-style interface organizes package creation into pages, and project files can be saved and loaded. Users can enter, load, export, or preview required, recommended, and optional package metadata. Files can be added through a directory tree or dragged from a system file manager. Debreate supports pre-install, post-install, pre-remove, and post-remove scripts, plus Auto-Link generation for executable symlinks. The build page can create an md5sums file and run Lintian when its utilities are installed. It requires Python 3.10 or later and wxPython 4.0.7 or later.

Who it suits

Debreate suits Linux users who need binary Debian packages for personal distribution. It is aimed at making packaging more accessible on Debian-based systems.

What it does well

Free MIT-licensed software
Wizard interface with saved projects
Supports package scripts and symlinks
Metadata can be previewed and exported
Lintian and md5sums build checks

What to know first

Binary .deb packaging only
Cannot create source packages
Windows support is incomplete
Development versions may contain bugs

Limits

Debreate is limited to binary .deb packaging for personal distribution; it does not create source packages or build binaries from source. It requires Python 3.10 or later and wxPython 4.0.7 or later.

Plans

Plan	Billed and limits	Price
Debreate	MIT licensed · binary .deb packaging only	Free

As debreate.github.io lists them, read 4 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.

Getting started

Visit the Debreate website.
Use a Debian-based Linux system.
Install Python 3.10 or later and wxPython 4.0.7 or later; 4.2.0 or later is recommended.
Open Debreate and create or load a project.
Add package metadata and files, then use the build page to create the package.

Verdict

Debreate offers a guided way to assemble Debian binary packages, including metadata, files, scripts, and optional checks. Its scope is limited to Debian-style binary packaging, and the project’s revival status means development builds may be unstable.

Questions

Does Debreate cost anything?

The Debreate plan is free and MIT licensed.

What does Debreate create?

It creates installable Debian (.deb) binary packages for personal distribution.

Can it build a binary package from source?

No. It does not support source packages or building binary packages from source.

Which operating systems does Debreate support?

It is intended for Debian-based Linux systems and has been tested on those systems. It may fail on other systems without Debian packaging backend tools, and its Windows functionality is incomplete.

What dependencies does it require?

Debreate requires Python 3.10 or later and wxPython 4.0.7 or later; wxPython 4.2.0 or later is recommended.

What license does it use?

Debreate and libdbr are licensed under the MIT license.

Facts from Debreate's own pages

Build checks: The build page can create an md5sums file and check a package with Lintian when its utilities are installed. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Dependencies: Debreate requires Python 3.10 or later and wxPython 4.0.7 or later, with 4.2.0 or later recommended. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Intended users: The project aims to make application packaging more accessible for Debian based Linux distributions, including packaging applications, artwork, media, and themes. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Interface: The application uses a wizard-like interface with page navigation and options to save and load project files. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
License: Debreate and libdbr are licensed under the MIT license. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Linux compatibility: The software is tested on Debian based systems; on other systems package building may fail unless Debian packaging backend tools are installed. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Package contents: Files can be added through the built-in directory tree or by dragging them from a system file manager. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Package metadata: The control page lets users enter required, recommended, and optional package metadata, and load, export, or preview control information. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Package type: Debreate currently supports binary packaging for personal distribution and does not support source packages or building binary packages from source. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Project status: The project describes itself as being in revival and recommends development versions, which are under heavy testing and may contain bugs. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Purpose: Debreate is a utility for creating installable Debian (.deb) packages. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Scripts: Debreate supports pre-install, post-install, pre-remove, and post-remove scripts, plus an Auto-Link feature that generates scripts to create and remove executable symlinks. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026
Windows compatibility: The project says it has been tested enough to start on Windows, but it does not fully function there. · debreate.github.io, 4 Oct 2026

Where Debreate stands on Freedom251

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