opkg

Spec sheet

Purpose

opkg is a lightweight package management system for installing and removing packages.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Free plan

YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · github.com

Command line

On OpenWrt 24.10 and older, packages can be managed from the command line with opkg.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Dependencies

It can recursively follow dependencies and download the packages needed to install a selected package.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Dependency resolution

YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · github.com

Development status

OpenWrt documentation says opkg ended development and was replaced by apk in OpenWrt 25.12 and newer.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Intended environment

OpenWrt is optimized for systems with limited resources, and its package manager does not provide built-in ABI compatibility and kernel version dependency verification.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Offline installation

YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · github.com

OpenWrt access

OpenWrt package management is available through LuCI's web interface or the command line, typically over SSH.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Package architecture

The listing includes architectures such as aarch64, ARM, MIPS, PowerPC, and x86_64.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Package formats

The package page says opkg can install both .ipk and .deb packages.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Package license

The package listing identifies opkg's license as GPL-2.0.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Package operations

Its commands include updating package lists, installing packages, configuring unpacked packages, and removing packages.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Package scope

It manages packages for the root filesystem, including kernel modules and drivers.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Package size

The listing for OpenWrt 22.03.0 reports an installed size of 71 kB and a file size of 72 kB.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Package sources

Packages can be installed from configured repositories, a URL, or a local package file.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Supported platforms

OpenWrt embedded Linux; OpenWrt 24.10 and olderRead 21 Sep 2026 · github.com

Supported releases

OpenWrt 25.12 and newer uses apk instead of opkg.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Upgrade caution

OpenWrt documentation warns that bulk package upgrades can cause compatibility problems and recommends avoiding them in almost all circumstances.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Upgrade limitation

Development snapshots may have package and kernel version mismatches that prevent package installation or upgrades.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Version support

OpenWrt 24.10 and older uses opkg; OpenWrt 25.12 and newer uses apk.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Web interface

OpenWrt packages can also be searched, installed, and removed through the LuCI web interface.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openwrt.org

Where Specifiction places it

• Package Managers#91 of 936.8