pkgman
What pkgman is
pkgman is the command-line package manager included with Haiku OS. It works with HPKG packages and lets users search for software, install it, update installed packages, and uninstall them from the Terminal. The tool can add or drop package repositories and refresh their package lists. Its dependency resolution can offer to download and install files required by another package, while the full-sync option can downgrade or remove packages when necessary. Haiku’s user guide recommends pkgman for package operations performed in the Terminal or scripts, and describes it as primarily intended for advanced users. Haiku and HaikuPorts repositories are configured by default, with additional community-curated repositories available. Adding a repository and downloading software from it requires trusting that repository. HaikuDepot provides a graphical way to discover and manage packages, and SoftwareUpdater can update installed system and third-party packages. pkgman is free and open source, available for Haiku OS, whose primary target architecture is x86. Haiku remains in beta development, although its FAQ describes it as reasonably stable for many daily tasks.
Who it suits
pkgman suits advanced Haiku OS users who prefer Terminal commands or scripted package operations. It is also relevant to users managing HPKG software and repositories directly rather than through HaikuDepot.
What it does well
- Searches, installs, updates, and uninstalls HPKG packages
- Resolves dependencies and can install required files
- Adds, drops, and refreshes package repositories
- Full-sync can downgrade or remove packages when needed
- Free and open source
- Recommended for Terminal and scripted operations
What to know first
- Primarily intended for advanced users
- Haiku is still considered beta
- Haiku primarily targets x86 architecture
- Repository downloads require trusting the repository
Limits
The listed pkgman plan is free. Haiku primarily targets x86, while ports to RISC-V, PowerPC, Sparc, and ARM are underway with future support uncertain.
Plans
| Plan | Billed and limits | Price |
|---|---|---|
| pkgman | Terminal package manager for Haiku; primarily intended for advanced users | Free |
As haiku-os.org lists them, read 12 Oct 2026. The maker's own page has the final word.
Getting started
- Open the Haiku website
- Use Haiku OS on a supported system
- Open the Terminal
- Run pkgman for package searches or operations
- Use the default Haiku and HaikuPorts repositories or add another repository
Verdict
Pick pkgman if you use Haiku OS and want direct Terminal or script-based package management. It provides broad HPKG and repository controls at no cost. Look elsewhere if you need a graphical workflow; HaikuDepot is the graphical alternative.
Questions
What does pkgman manage?
pkgman manages HPKG packages for Haiku OS, including searching, installation, updates, and removal.
Does pkgman resolve dependencies?
Yes. Haiku can offer to download and install files required by a package.
Which repositories are available?
Haiku and HaikuPorts are set up by default, and additional community-curated repositories are available.
Is pkgman open source?
Yes. pkgman is free and open source.
Is there a graphical alternative?
HaikuDepot can find, download, install, update, and uninstall packages graphically.
Facts from pkgman's own pages
- Alternative repositories
- Haiku also has alternative repositories for obtaining packages. · haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Architecture
- Haiku R1 primarily targets x86, with ports to RISC-V, PowerPC, Sparc, and ARM underway whose future support is uncertain. · haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Default repositories
- The repositories guide says Haiku and HaikuPorts are set up by default, with additional community-curated repositories available. · i18n.haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- When a package depends on another package, Haiku can offer to download and install the required files. · i18n.haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Dependency resolution
- Yes · i18n.haiku-os.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Development status
- Haiku is under constant development and is still considered beta, though its FAQ says it is reasonably stable for many daily tasks. · haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Full sync
- The full-sync option can downgrade or remove packages when necessary. · i18n.haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Graphical alternative
- HaikuDepot can find, download, install, update, and uninstall packages. · i18n.haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- License
- Most Haiku code is released under the MIT License, while some third-party components use other licenses. · haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Maker
- Haiku is developed by volunteer contributors worldwide, with support from the nonprofit Haiku, Inc. · haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Open source
- Yes · i18n.haiku-os.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Package actions
- pkgman can search, install, update, and uninstall packages. · i18n.haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Package discovery
- HaikuDepot is the main place to discover Haiku software and install applications and libraries packaged by HaikuPorts. · haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Package format
- Haiku’s package command manages HPKG packages. · i18n.haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Package formats
- HPKG · i18n.haiku-os.org, 22 Sept 2026
- Package installs
- Haiku applications are distributed as package files that can be installed from HaikuDepot or downloaded directly from websites and other sources. · haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Package updates
- The SoftwareUpdater application can update installed system and third-party packages. · haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- pkgman is a Haiku command-line tool for package management. · i18n.haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Repositories
- pkgman can add and drop package repositories and refresh their package lists. · i18n.haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Repository trust
- The repositories guide warns that adding a repository and downloading software from it is a matter of trust. · i18n.haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Scripting
- The user guide recommends pkgman for package operations from the Terminal or scripts. · i18n.haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Security
- The project says infrastructure data is kept private on a need-to-know basis and provides an email address for vulnerability reports. · haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- Haiku OS · i18n.haiku-os.org, 22 Sept 2026
- System features
- Haiku highlights its custom responsive kernel, multithreaded design, object-oriented API, indexed-metadata BFS file system, and unified interface. · haiku-os.org, 12 Oct 2026
Where pkgman stands on Freedom251
- Package Managers#1 of 93
- Web browsers#62 of 154