FreeBSD pkg
What FreeBSD pkg is
FreeBSD pkg is a free, self-hosted package management tool for FreeBSD. It installs package archives from local disks, remote HTTP servers, or remote SSH servers, resolves dependencies, and supports offline installation. Archives use tar and may be raw or compressed with gzip, bzip2, zstd, or xz; zstd is the default compression method. Built on libpkg, the tool interfaces with package-registration backends and abstracts registration, repositories, package creation, and updating. On supported FreeBSD versions, a /usr/sbin/pkg placeholder can download and install the complete tool while initializing the local package database. pkg includes an internal pkg audit command for security auditing, and pkg-check(8) is used to audit or repair the package database. Configuration files are not merged with two- or three-way methods; sample files are generally installed, while live files change only under specified conditions. Database locking prevents parallel installs. Help is available through the #pkg channel on Libera Chat or [email protected], and bugs go to the project issue tracker.
Who it suits
It suits FreeBSD administrators and users who need local or remote package installation with dependency handling. It is intended for self-hosted FreeBSD systems.
What it does well
- Free package management tool
- Dependency resolution
- Offline installation
- HTTP and SSH repository sources
- Built-in package auditing
What to know first
- Supports FreeBSD only
- Parallel installs cannot proceed
- Configuration files are not merged two- or three-way
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| FreeBSD pkg | Package management tool for FreeBSD | Free |
As github.com lists them, read 11 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
FreeBSD pkg covers core package installation, repository access, dependency handling, and auditing for FreeBSD. Be aware of its database lock and specific configuration-file behavior when planning operations.
Facts from FreeBSD pkg's own pages
- Bootstrap
- Supported FreeBSD versions include a /usr/sbin/pkg placeholder that can download and install the full pkg tool and initialize the local package database. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Bug reporting
- The README directs users to submit bugs through the pkg issue tracker. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Configuration files
- The FAQ says pkg does not perform two- or three-way merges of package configuration files; it generally installs sample files and updates live files only under specified conditions. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- The FAQ says pkg automatically notices when a dependency package is updated to a new version. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Dependency resolution
- Yes · docs.freebsd.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · docs.freebsd.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Installation sources
- pkg can install package archives from local disk, a remote HTTP server, or a remote SSH server. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Library
- pkg is built on libpkg, which interfaces with package registration backends and abstracts registration, remote repositories, package creation, and updating. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Offline installation
- Yes · docs.freebsd.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Package checks
- The FAQ points to pkg-check(8) for auditing and repairing the package database. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Package format
- A pkg archive is a tar archive that can be raw or compressed with gzip, bzip2, zstd, or xz; zstd is the default compression algorithm. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Package formats
- tar archive (.pkg),gzip,bzip2,zstd,xz · docs.freebsd.org, 21 Sept 2026
- Parallel installs
- The FAQ says parallel installs do not work because the first operation locks the database and the second cannot proceed. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- pkg is a package management tool for FreeBSD. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Security auditing
- The FAQ says pkg has an internal pkg audit command rather than using portaudit. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The project lists help via the #pkg channel on Libera Chat or [email protected]. · github.com, 11 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- FreeBSD · docs.freebsd.org, 21 Sept 2026
Where FreeBSD pkg stands on Freedom251
- Package Managers#66 of 93