pkg_add
man.openbsd.org
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- pkg_add installs or updates software packages created from the OpenBSD ports tree.Read 12 Oct 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Intended users
- OpenBSD's package FAQ advises using packages over building applications from ports in general.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openbsd.org
- Free plan
- YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Security
- By default, it rejects unsigned packages unless they come from a trusted source or unsigned packages are explicitly allowed.Read 12 Oct 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Support
- The OpenBSD site links to commercial support resources.Read 12 Oct 2026 · openbsd.org
- Dependencies
- It automatically installs packages needed to satisfy dependencies.Read 12 Oct 2026 · openbsd.org
- Dependency resolution
- YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Interactive choices
- On a tty, pkg_add is interactive by default and may ask the user to resolve package ambiguities or difficult decisions.Read 11 Oct 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Limit
- System distribution files such as base and comp sets are not packages and cannot be installed with pkg_add.Read 12 Oct 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Limits
- System distribution files such as base and comp sets are not packages and cannot be installed with pkg_add.Read 11 Oct 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Offline installation
- YesRead 22 Sep 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- 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.Read 11 Oct 2026 · openbsd.org
- 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.Read 12 Oct 2026 · openbsd.org
- Package formats
- TGZ,gzip-compressed ustar archives with packing listsRead 22 Sep 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Package information
- OpenBSD-specific information about individual packages is documented under /usr/local/share/doc/pkg-readmes/.Read 11 Oct 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- 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.Read 11 Oct 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Package sources
- Package names can refer to local files or FTP, HTTP, HTTPS, or SCP locations.Read 12 Oct 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Project
- OpenBSD describes itself as a free, multi-platform 4.4BSD-based UNIX-like operating system project developed entirely by volunteers.Read 12 Oct 2026 · openbsd.org
- Recovery
- If a system crash corrupts the package database, the manual points to pkg_check for repair.Read 11 Oct 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Signature checks
- For signed packages, it checks the signature and signing key, and verifies the compressed package data before unpacking.Read 12 Oct 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Supported platforms
- OpenBSD alpha,amd64,arm64,armv7,hppa,i386,landisk,luna88k,macppc,octeon,powerpc64,riscv64,sparc64Read 22 Sep 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Update modes
- It can update named installed packages or all installed packages when no package name is specified.Read 12 Oct 2026 · man.openbsd.org
- Updates
- The -u option updates specified installed packages and their dependencies, or all installed packages when no names are given.Read 11 Oct 2026 · man.openbsd.org
Plans and prices
Free Free OpenBSD package installation and updates Read 12 Oct 2026 · openbsd.org
Where Specifiction places it
- Package Managers#50 of 937.8
