snapd

Spec sheet

Purpose

snapd is the background service that manages and maintains snaps, including their installation, confinement, and updates.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Automatic updates

snapd manages snap updates, which can be controlled through refresh settings and related management commands.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Classic confinement

Classic snaps have broad system access, require the user to pass --classic when installing, and require store review before distribution through the Snap Store.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Community support

The project documentation points users to a Discourse forum and Matrix chat for community support.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Confinement

Strict confinement isolates snaps and limits system access by default; additional access can be requested through interfaces.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Cross-distribution packages

A snap bundles one or more applications and works without dependencies or modification across many Linux distributions.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Cross-distribution use

Snaps are intended to work across different Linux distributions and hardware platforms.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Dependency resolution

YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · snapcraft.io

Distribution caveat

The documentation says snapd re-execution is not supported on Fedora because of ABI incompatibilities, build configuration differences, and distribution policy.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Distribution version caveat

Ubuntu and Debian distribution policies mean snapd is not regularly updated to the latest available version in their native packages.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Installation

The snap daemon is pre-installed on several distributions, including Ubuntu 18.04 and above, and installation instructions are available for many others.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Interfaces

Interfaces mediate access between strictly confined snaps and system resources or other snaps.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Linux distribution coverage

The installation guide lists distributions including Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch Linux, Linux Mint, openSUSE, and Raspberry Pi OS.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Linux shell

Snaps can be installed and removed with a graphical package manager, while most advanced functionality is available from the Linux command shell.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Management API

snapd provides a REST API for extending snap functionality and interacting with the daemon.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Offline installation

YesRead 21 Sep 2026 · snapcraft.io

Package format

Snaps are self-contained application packages designed for desktop, cloud, and IoT environments.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Package formats

snap (.snap)Read 21 Sep 2026 · snapcraft.io

REST API

The REST API exposes snapd state and key functions through the local /run/snapd.socket UNIX socket.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Security components

snapd configures snap sandboxes using Linux kernel security modules including Seccomp, AppArmor and Cgroups.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Security mechanisms

Strict confinement uses Linux kernel security features including AppArmor, seccomp, and namespaces.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Signed assertions

Assertions are digitally signed documents used by snapd and the Snap Store for authentication, policy, identification, and validation.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Snap Store

Snaps are discoverable and installable through the Snap Store, described as a public app store with an audience of millions.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Supported platforms

Linux distributions including Ubuntu,Debian,Fedora,RHEL-family systems,openSUSE,Arch Linux,Manjaro,Gentoo,Solus,and Yocto-based systemsRead 21 Sep 2026 · snapcraft.io

Updates

Snaps update automatically, and channels, revisions and transactional updates help manage update risk.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Use cases

The documentation identifies application developers, system administrators, IoT and embedded device makers, and organizations prioritizing security and consistent deployments as snap users.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Visibility controls

Developers can publish snaps as public, private or unlisted, with private access shareable to specified email addresses.Read 12 Oct 2026 · snapcraft.io

Where Specifiction places it

• Package Managers#67 of 937.5