pkg_add
What pkg_add is
pkg_add is OpenBSD’s command-line utility for installing and updating software packages built from the OpenBSD ports tree. It accepts packages from local directories or FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, and SCP locations, including offline installations when files are available locally. The tool checks dependencies and installs packages needed to satisfy them. Its update mode can update named installed packages and their dependencies, or all installed packages when no names are supplied. Package files use TGZ or gzip-compressed ustar archives with packing lists. By default, unsigned packages are rejected unless a trusted source or override applies. Signed packages are checked against a valid signing key and verified before unpacking. On a terminal, pkg_add is interactive by default and may ask users to resolve ambiguities. It supports OpenBSD alpha, amd64, arm64, armv7, hppa, i386, landisk, luna88k, macppc, octeon, powerpc64, riscv64, and sparc64.
Who it suits
It is intended for OpenBSD users installing or updating ports-tree packages, especially where dependency handling or offline installation is needed.
What it does well
- Free package installation and updates
- Resolves package dependencies
- Supports offline installation
- Accepts multiple network protocols
- Verifies signed packages
What to know first
- Cannot install base or comp system sets
- Some packages may lack architecture support
- Unsigned packages are rejected by default
- Package scripts can expose systems to attacks
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Free | OpenBSD package installation and updates | Free |
As man.openbsd.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Verdict
pkg_add provides package installation and updates across OpenBSD architectures with dependency resolution and signature checks. Users must distinguish packages from system distribution sets and should use trusted package sources.
Facts from pkg_add's own pages
- Dependencies
- It automatically installs packages needed to satisfy dependencies. · openbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Dependency resolution
- Yes · man.openbsd.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Free plan
- Yes · man.openbsd.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Intended users
- OpenBSD's package FAQ advises using packages over building applications from ports in general. · openbsd.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Interactive choices
- On a tty, pkg_add is interactive by default and may ask the user to resolve package ambiguities or difficult decisions. · man.openbsd.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Limit
- System distribution files such as base and comp sets are not packages and cannot be installed with pkg_add. · man.openbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Limits
- System distribution files such as base and comp sets are not packages and cannot be installed with pkg_add. · man.openbsd.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Offline installation
- Yes · man.openbsd.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Package availability
- A large collection of precompiled packages is available for the most common architectures, but some packages may be unavailable due to architecture or licensing constraints. · openbsd.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Package coverage
- The FAQ says precompiled packages are available for the most common architectures, and some packages may be unavailable because of architecture or licensing constraints. · openbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Package formats
- TGZ,gzip-compressed ustar archives with packing lists · man.openbsd.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Package information
- OpenBSD-specific information about individual packages is documented under /usr/local/share/doc/pkg-readmes/. · man.openbsd.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Package scripts
- The manual warns that package files may contain scripts or programs that can expose a system to attacks, and advises using trusted sources. · man.openbsd.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Package sources
- Package names can refer to local files or FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, or SCP locations. · man.openbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Project
- OpenBSD describes itself as a free, multi-platform 4.4BSD-based UNIX-like operating system project developed entirely by volunteers. · openbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- pkg_add installs or updates software packages created from the OpenBSD ports tree. · man.openbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Recovery
- If a system crash corrupts the package database, the manual points to pkg_check for repair. · man.openbsd.org, 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- By default, it rejects unsigned packages unless they come from a trusted source or unsigned packages are explicitly allowed. · man.openbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Signature checks
- For signed packages, it checks the signature and signing key, and verifies the compressed package data before unpacking. · man.openbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Support
- The OpenBSD site links to commercial support resources. · openbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- OpenBSD alpha,amd64,arm64,armv7,hppa,i386,landisk,luna88k,macppc,octeon,powerpc64,riscv64,sparc64 · man.openbsd.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Update modes
- It can update named installed packages or all installed packages when no package name is specified. · man.openbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Updates
- The -u option updates specified installed packages and their dependencies, or all installed packages when no names are given. · man.openbsd.org, 11 Oct 2026
Where pkg_add stands on Freedom251
- Package Managers#77 of 93