🧰 Modern APT Commands Cheatsheet (2025 Edition)
This is a practical and SEO-optimized reference guide for safe, essential APT package manager commands on modern Debian-based Linux systems like Ubuntu.
📥 1. Update Package List
sudo apt updateFetches the latest list of available packages.
🔄 2. Upgrade Installed Packages
sudo apt upgradeSafely upgrades all packages without removing anything.
🧠 3. Full Upgrade
sudo apt full-upgradeHandles changing dependencies by removing/installing packages.
🧹 4. Autoremove Unused Packages
sudo apt autoremoveRemoves unnecessary dependencies no longer needed.
🚿 5. Purge Autoremove
sudo apt autoremove --purgeSame as above but also removes leftover config files.
🧼 6. Clean Cached Packages
sudo apt cleanClears cached .deb files in /var/cache/apt/archives.
📦 7. Install Package
sudo apt install <package>Installs any package by name.
❌ 8. Remove Package
sudo apt remove <package>Removes a package but keeps configuration files.
🔥 9. Purge Package
sudo apt purge <package>Removes both package and its config files.
💀 10. Purge + Autoremove
sudo apt purge --auto-remove <package>Completely wipes the package and unused dependencies.
🛠️ 11. Fix Broken Installs
sudo apt --fix-broken installTries to fix broken or incomplete installs.
🔍 12. Search for Package
apt search <package>Find packages by name or keyword.
📖 13. Show Package Info
apt show <package>Shows package details, dependencies, version, etc.
📋 14. List Installed Packages
apt list --installedDisplays all installed packages on your system.
🚫 15. Hold a Package
sudo apt-mark hold <package>Prevents the package from being upgraded.
✅ 16. Unhold a Package
sudo apt-mark unhold <package>Allows the package to be upgraded again.
📜 17. View Install History
cat /var/log/apt/history.logLog of installs, upgrades, and removals.
✨ Built for modern Ubuntu/Debian systems. Don't use ancient apt-get unless you're in a script or on a fossilized distro.
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