7/15/24, 10:39 AM How to Use Apt Search Command to Search Package- 7 Best Uses

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Search for a Package in Ubuntu [7 Best Uses]

How to Use the Apt Search

Command to Search for a
Package in Ubuntu [7 Best
Uses]
Written by Reviewed by Last updated: June 15, 2024
Ojash  Akshat  Expert verified

TL;DR
To use the apt search command to search for a
package in Ubuntu, try the following methods:

1 Use apt search [keyword] to perform

wide-ranging searches across all Ubuntu
packages by name or description.
2 Narrow down apt search results for precise
package finding by applying grep, as in apt
search [keyword] | grep [specific
detail].

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3 Check for specific packages already

installed on your system with apt list -
-installed | grep [package name],
useful for system audits and maintenance.
4 Access detailed package information and
alternative options using apt-cache
search [keyword], ideal for thorough
research on potential installations.

Sometimes finding the right software package on your Linux

system can feel overwhelming. Luckily, the apt search
command offers a solution. This post will show you how to use
apt search effectively to find exactly what you need. You’ll
learn how to search for packages by name, filter results, and
use advanced search techniques. By the end, you’ll master
the apt search command and easily navigate your package
repositories.

What is Apt Search

Command In Linux?
The apt search command is a command-line utility in
Ubuntu and other Debian-based Linux distributions used to
search for packages within the configured package
repositories. It allows you to find packages by name or
description without the need to install them.

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When you run the apt search command followed by a

package name or keyword, it searches the package metadata
and displays a list of packages that match the search criteria.
The output typically includes the package names, version
numbers, and brief descriptions of the packages.

The apt search command is part of the apt Ubuntu and

other Debian-based distributions use a package
management system to manage software packages. It
provides a convenient way to search for available packages,
explore package details, and discover new software options.

Here are a few key points about the apt search command:

1 It searches for packages within the repositories

configured in the /etc/apt/sources.list file
and any additional repository files in the
/etc/apt/sources.list.d/ directory.

2 The search is performed based on the package

names and descriptions, allowing you to find
packages even if you don’t know the exact
package name.
3 It displays a concise summary of each matching
package, including the package name, version,
and a brief description.
4 The search results are sorted alphabetically by
default, making it easier to browse through the
list of packages.

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5 You can use various search patterns and

wildcards to refine your search and find specific
packages.

The apt search command is a helpful tool for exploring the

available packages in the Ubuntu repositories, discovering
new software, and finding the right package for your needs
before installing it on your system.

How to Use the Apt Search

Command to Search for a
Package
To apt search package in Ubuntu, you can use the apt
search command followed by the package name or a
keyword related to the package. Here’s how you can do it:

1. Open a terminal window on your Ubuntu system.

2. Run the following command, replacing
<package_name> with the name or keyword of the
package you want to search for:

apt search <package_name>

For example, if you want to search for the “nginx” package,

you would run:

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apt search nginx

3. Press Enter to execute the command.

The apt search command will search the package

repositories configured on your system and display a list of
packages that match the specified package name or keyword.
The output will show the package names, their version
numbers, and a brief description of each package.

Here’s an example output of searching for the “nginx”

package:

Sorting... Done
Full Text Search... Done
nginx/bionic 1.14.0-0ubuntu1.7 all
small, powerful, scalable web/proxy server

nginx-common/bionic 1.14.0-0ubuntu1.7 all

small, powerful, scalable web/proxy server - common files

nginx-core/bionic 1.14.0-0ubuntu1.7 amd64

nginx web/proxy server (standard version)

nginx-doc/bionic 1.14.0-0ubuntu1.7 all

small, powerful, scalable web/proxy server - documentatio

nginx-extras/bionic 1.14.0-0ubuntu1.7 amd64

nginx web/proxy server (extended version)

nginx-full/bionic 1.14.0-0ubuntu1.7 amd64

nginx web/proxy server (standard version)

nginx-light/bionic 1.14.0-0ubuntu1.7 amd64

nginx web/proxy server (basic version)

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From the search results, you can identify the specific package
you need based on its name and description. You can then
use the apt install command followed by the package
name to install the desired package.

For example, to install the “nginx” package, you would run:

sudo apt install nginx

The apt search command is a useful way to find packages

available in the Ubuntu repositories when you don’t know the
exact package name or want to explore related packages.

7 Ways To Use the Apt

Search Command
Here are seven different methods for using the apt search
command to search for a package in Ubuntu, each catering to
slightly different needs or preferences.

1. Basic Package Search with apt

search
The apt search command is your go-to for a broad search
across all available packages in the Ubuntu repositories.
Whether you’re looking for a specific application or exploring
packages related to a topic, this method offers a
straightforward way to sift through the extensive Ubuntu
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package archives. Follow these steps to apt search for

package:

1. Press Ctrl + Alt + T to open a Terminal window.

2. Type apt search followed by the name of the

package or a keyword. For example, to search for the
text editor Vim, enter:

apt search vim

The Terminal will display a list of packages that match your

search criteria.

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3. Scroll through the results to find the package you’re

interested in.

2. Filtering Search Results with grep

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When you’re faced with an overwhelming number of search

results, using grep to filter these results can be incredibly
useful. By focusing on specific details, you can quickly narrow
down to the most relevant packages.

1. Open the Terminal and pipe (|) the results into

grep, followed by your specific criteria after
performing an apt search. For instance, to filter for
packages starting with vim, execute:

apt search vim | grep ^vim

2. Examine the filtered results to find the exact package

you need.

3. Searching for Installed Packages

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Verifying whether a package is installed and obtaining version

information can be essential for troubleshooting or system
maintenance. This method focuses on identifying packages
already installed on your system. Here is the step-by-step
guide:

1. Access your command prompt

2. Use apt list --installed to view all installed
packages, and narrow down this list by piping the
output into grep with the package name you’re
searching for. To check for Vim, you would use:

apt list --installed | grep vim

3. You’ll see a list of packages that match your search,

confirming their installation and version.

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4. apt-cache for More Detailed

Searches
For those seeking more in-depth information about available
packages, apt-cache search serves as a powerful tool. It
provides detailed descriptions and a different perspective on
the package ecosystem in Ubuntu. Here is how to apt search
packages:

1. Launch your command window.

2. Enter apt-cache search followed by your keyword.
For exploring Python-related packages, run the
command:

apt-cache search python

3. The output will be:

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5. Search Using Wildcards

Wildcards can help you broaden or refine your search results.
This is particularly useful when you’re unsure of the exact
package name but know the beginning of it.

1. Open your terminal.

2. Type the following command:

apt search apache*

This command will list all packages that start with apache.
The asterisk (*) acts as a wildcard, matching any sequence of
characters following apache.

6. Filter by Architecture
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This method is used to specify the architecture type when

searching for packages, ensuring compatibility with your
system.

1. Access your command prompt. Run the following

command:

apt-cache search . | grep -E 'amd64|all'

This command lists packages available for the amd64

architecture, ensuring you find packages compatible with
your system’s architecture.

7. Search for Upgradable Packages

Find packages that have updates available, ensuring your
system is up-to-date with the latest versions.
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1. Access your command prompt and enter the following

command:

apt list --upgradable

This command lists all packages that have newer versions

available for upgrade, helping you keep your system current.

8 Best Practices for Using

Apt Commands in Linux
To manage your Ubuntu system effectively, incorporating a
set of best practices for using apt commands can
significantly enhance both performance and security. Here
are eight best practices for using apt commands in Linux:

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 🔄 Regularly Update Package Lists: Always run
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sudo apt update before installing or

upgrading to ensure you’re getting the latest
versions and patches. This habit keeps your
system informed about new updates and
dependencies.
🛡 Frequently Upgrade Packages: Regularly use
sudo apt upgrade to update your installed
packages. Staying current with upgrades is vital
for security and accessing improved features and
stability enhancements in the software you use.
🧹 Perform Clean-up Operations: After
installing or updating packages, clean up with
sudo apt autoremove to remove no longer
needed dependencies and sudo apt clean to
clear out the package cache, freeing up valuable
disk space.
🔍 Refine Search with Specific Keywords: Use
specific keywords with apt search to narrow
down search results effectively. Filtering output
through grep can help pinpoint exactly what
you’re looking for, making searches more
efficient.
📚 Review Package Details Before Installing:
Before proceeding with an installation, examine
the package details with apt show
[package-name]. This step is crucial for

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understanding the package’s requirements, size,

and version to ensure compatibility.
🚦 Simulate Before You Execute: Use the --
simulate option (e.g., sudo apt upgrade --
simulate or sudo apt install
[package-name] --simulate) to preview the
actions apt will take, avoiding unintended
changes.
🗂 Add Repositories With Caution: Be cautious
when adding new repositories. Ensure they are
trusted and reputable to prevent security risks.
Stick to official Ubuntu sources and well-known
Personal Package Archives (PPAs) for reliability
and safety.
🆘 Leverage apt Help and Documentation:
Familiarize yourself with apt commands and
options by using apt help or consulting the
manual with man apt. This knowledge is
invaluable for troubleshooting and optimizing
your use of apt.

Ubuntu Apt Search

Command: Summing Up
In this article, I’ve walked you through various step-by-step
methods to use the apt search command to search for

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packages. You now have the tools to find exactly what you
need efficiently.

If you found this guide helpful, I’d recommend exploring more

about Linux package management. Here are a few articles you
might find useful:

Discover different ways to use the apt

command to search for packages in Ubuntu,
enhancing your package search techniques.
Learn how to efficiently remove packages using
the apt package manager, helping you manage
and clean up your system.
Understand how to install a specific version of
a package using apt, ensuring you get the exact
software version you need.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I exclude specific
packages from search results?
To filter out specific packages from your apt search
results, utilize the grep -v command. This
effectively inverts your search criteria, removing
unwanted entries. For instance, apt search vim |
grep -v common will hide any packages with
common in their description or name.

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2. Can I use apt to find out which

packages were recently installed
or updated?
Absolutely, you can find a detailed log of recently
installed or updated packages by examining the
/var/log/apt/history.log file. This file records
all apt activities, including installations, updates,
and removals, providing a clear history of package
management actions.
3. Can I search for packages
available in a specific version of
Ubuntu using apt?
apt primarily searches within the repositories set for
your current version of Ubuntu. However, if you’re
looking to explore packages from different Ubuntu
versions, you can modify your
/etc/apt/sources.list to include those versions’
repositories. Exercise caution to avoid compatibility
issues.

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Ojash
Author
Ojash is a skilled Linux expert and tech writer with over a decade of
experience. He has extensive knowledge of Linux's file system,
command-line interface, and software installations. Ojash is also an
expert in shell scripting and automation, with experience in Bash,
Python, and Perl. He has published numerous articles on Linux in various
online publications, making him a valuable resource for both seasoned
Linux users and beginners. Ojash is also an active member of the Linux
community and participates in Linux forums.

 

Akshat
Reviewer
Akshat is a software engineer, product designer and the co-founder of
Scrutify. He's an experienced Linux professional and the senior editor of
this blog. He is also an open-source contributor to many projects on
Github and has written several technical guides on Linux. Apart from
that, he’s also actively sharing his ideas and tutorials on Medium and
Attirer. As the editor of this blog, Akshat brings his wealth of knowledge
and experience to provide readers with valuable insights and advice on a
wide range of Linux-related topics.

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Table of Contents
1 TL;DR
2 What is Apt Search Command In Linux?
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3 How to Use the Apt Search Command to Search

for a Package
4 7 Ways To Use the Apt Search Command
5 8 Best Practices for Using Apt Commands in Linux
6 Ubuntu Apt Search Command: Summing Up
7 Frequently Asked Questions

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