Arch Linux Package Signing - ryzendew/Linux-Tips-and-Tricks GitHub Wiki

Arch Linux Package Signing Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to package signing on Arch Linux, including GPG keys, package verification, and signing configuration.

Table of Contents

  1. Understanding Package Signing
  2. GPG Key Setup
  3. Package Verification
  4. Signing Packages
  5. Troubleshooting

Understanding Package Signing

What is Package Signing?

Package signing verifies package authenticity.

Benefits:

  • Verify package integrity
  • Prevent tampering
  • Ensure authenticity

GPG Key Setup

Initialize GPG

Setup GPG:

# Install GPG
sudo pacman -S gnupg

# Generate key
gpg --full-generate-key

# List keys
gpg --list-keys

Import Arch Keys

Import keys:

# Import Arch master keys
sudo pacman-key --init
sudo pacman-key --populate archlinux

Package Verification

Verify Packages

Check signatures:

# Verify package
pacman -Qkk package-name

# Verify database
sudo pacman-key --verify

Check Keyring

Manage keyring:

# List keys
pacman-key --list-keys

# Refresh keys
sudo pacman-key --refresh-keys

Signing Packages

Sign Package

Sign with makepkg:

# Edit makepkg.conf
vim ~/.makepkg.conf

Add:

GPGKEY="your-key-id"

Build signed:

makepkg --sign

Troubleshooting

Key Errors

Fix keys:

# Refresh keys
sudo pacman-key --refresh-keys

# Update keyring (use -Syu to avoid dependency issues)
sudo pacman -Syu archlinux-keyring

Summary

This guide covered package signing, GPG keys, verification, and troubleshooting.

Next Steps

This guide is based on the ArchWiki. For the most up-to-date information, always refer to the official ArchWiki.