Linux makepkg Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to makepkg on Linux, covering Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions including building packages from PKGBUILD files, creating custom packages, and package building best practices.

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Table of Contents

1. Understanding makepkg
2. makepkg Installation
3. Building Packages
4. PKGBUILD Files
5. Creating PKGBUILDs
6. Troubleshooting

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Understanding makepkg

What is makepkg?

makepkg builds packages from PKGBUILD files.

Uses:

• Build AUR packages: Build packages from AUR
• Create packages: Build custom packages
• Test packages: Test before installing
• Package development: Develop new packages

Why it matters:

• AUR packages: Required for AUR
• Custom packages: Create your own
• Package control: Full control over builds

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makepkg Installation

Install makepkg

Arch/CachyOS:

# Install base-devel (includes makepkg)
sudo pacman -S base-devel

# Verify
makepkg --version

makepkg is included in base-devel group.

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Building Packages

Build from PKGBUILD

Basic build:

# Download PKGBUILD
# Or create your own

# Build package
makepkg

# Install after build
makepkg -i

Build Options

Common options:

# Clean build
makepkg -c

# Skip checksums
makepkg --skipinteg

# Install after build
makepkg -i

# Source only
makepkg -S

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PKGBUILD Files

PKGBUILD Structure

Basic PKGBUILD:

pkgname=my-package
pkgver=1.0
pkgrel=1
pkgdesc="My package description"
arch=('x86_64')
url="https://example.com"
license=('GPL')
depends=('dependency1' 'dependency2')
source=("https://example.com/$pkgname-$pkgver.tar.gz")
md5sums=('checksum')

build() {
    cd "$srcdir/$pkgname-$pkgver"
    ./configure --prefix=/usr
    make
}

package() {
    cd "$srcdir/$pkgname-$pkgver"
    make DESTDIR="$pkgdir" install
}

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Creating PKGBUILDs

New PKGBUILD

Create PKGBUILD:

# Create directory
mkdir -p ~/pkgbuilds/my-package
cd ~/pkgbuilds/my-package

# Create PKGBUILD
vim PKGBUILD

Test PKGBUILD

Validate:

# Check syntax
makepkg --printsrcinfo

# Test build
makepkg -f

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Troubleshooting

Build Errors

Check dependencies:

# Install dependencies
sudo pacman -S base-devel

# Check PKGBUILD
makepkg --printsrcinfo

Permission Errors

Fix permissions:

# Check user in wheel group
groups

# Or build as user (not root)

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Summary

This guide covered makepkg usage, PKGBUILD creation, and package building for Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions.

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Next Steps

• Arch Build System - ABS guide
• Package Management - Package management
• makepkg Documentation: man makepkg

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This guide covers Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other Linux distributions. For distribution-specific details, refer to your distribution's documentation.