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pkgin

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What pkgin is

pkgin is a free, open-source command-line tool for managing pkgsrc binary packages from remote repositories. It provides apt- or yum-like package actions on NetBSD, DragonFly BSD, Solaris or SunOS, Debian GNU/Linux, Mac OS X, and Minix. Users can search, install, remove, and upgrade packages and dependencies, including regular-expression repository searches. Commands list available and installed packages, while dependency views show direct, full, and reverse trees and can remove orphan dependencies automatically. pkgin inspects remote contents, descriptions, build definitions, categories, and package requirements or provisions. It stores package data in SQLite and uses pkg_summary information from pkgsrc repositories. Repositories are configured in repositories.conf; pkgin update downloads summaries and populates the database. The database must be updated regularly to stay synchronized. Package lists support pkg_chk import and export. The listed source version is pkgin-26.4.0, with a modified-BSD license.

Who it suits

pkgin suits users of the listed Unix-like systems who want command-line pkgsrc package management with dependency handling and repository inspection.

What it does well

  • Search, install, remove, and upgrade packages
  • Automatic orphan-dependency removal
  • Direct, full, and reverse dependency trees
  • SQLite package database
  • pkg_chk list import and export

What to know first

  • Requires regular pkgin update commands
  • Building from source needs four libraries
  • Command-line tool rather than graphical manager
  • Repository configuration is required

Verdict

pkgin offers comprehensive pkgsrc binary-package management across several Unix-like platforms. Its dependency tools and package inspection are useful, but repository setup and regular database updates are part of normal use.

Facts from pkgin's own pages

Build dependencies
Building from source requires SQLite, libnbcompat, libfetch, and libarchive. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Build requirements
Building from source requires SQLite3, libnbcompat, libfetch, and libarchive. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Current package version
The NetBSD Packages Collection lists pkgin-26.4.0 as the source version. · cdn.netbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
Database
pkgin uses SQLite as its package database backend. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Dependency management
It can show direct, full, and reverse dependency trees and automatically remove orphan dependencies. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Dependency resolution
Yes · pkgin.net, 21 Sept 2026
Integrations
pkgin works with pkgsrc repositories and uses pkg_summary data to manage packages. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
License
The NetBSD Packages Collection identifies pkgin's license as modified-BSD. · cdn.netbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
Notable limit
The site says the pkgin update command must be run regularly to keep its database synchronized with the repository. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Package actions
It supports searching, installing, removing, and upgrading packages and their dependencies. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Package discovery
Commands can list available and installed packages and search the repository using a regular expression. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Package formats
pkgsrc binary packages · pkgin.net, 21 Sept 2026
Package inspection
It can display remote package contents, descriptions, build definitions, categories, and what a package provides or requires. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Package lists
It can export and import package lists in pkg_chk format. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Platform coverage
The site lists tested platforms including NetBSD, DragonFly BSD, Solaris, OpenSolaris, Debian GNU/Linux, Mac OS X, and Minix. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Platforms
The project page lists tested platforms including NetBSD, DragonFly BSD, Solaris, Debian GNU/Linux, Mac OS X, and Minix. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Purpose
pkgin is an apt- or yum-like tool for managing pkgsrc binary packages from remote repositories. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Repository setup
Users configure package repositories in repositories.conf, and pkgin update downloads pkg_summary data to populate its database. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Security
The NetBSD package page reports no known vulnerabilities and cautions that its vulnerability database may not be fully accurate. · cdn.netbsd.org, 12 Oct 2026
Support
The site directs users to the #pkgsrc or #NetBSD channels on the Libera.Chat IRC network. · pkgin.net, 12 Oct 2026
Supported platforms
NetBSD; DragonFly BSD; Solaris/SunOS; Debian GNU/Linux; Mac OS X; Minix · pkgin.net, 21 Sept 2026

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