Vertex Linux

Starpack Command Reference

Starpack Project Nebula (x86_64) provides the package management interface for Vertex Linux. The tool coordinates repository configuration, package installation, and maintenance tasks through a single CLI entrypoint.

Usage: starpack [options] command

If no command is supplied, Starpack prints the built-in help summary and exits.

Permission Model

Starpack verifies write access before it mutates the filesystem. The helper checks target directories (install prefixes, cache locations, repository configs) and suggests re-running with elevated privileges if the current user cannot write there. Commands touching system paths such as /, /var/lib/starpack, /var/cache/starpack, or /etc/starpack.d generally require root access (for example via sudo).

Command Reference

install

Downloads and installs one or more packages.

  • Accepts package names as positional arguments.
  • --installdir <dir> overrides the default root (defaults to /).
  • --noconfirm skips any confirmation prompts.
starpack install neofetch --noconfirm

remove

Uninstalls packages tracked in <installdir>/var/lib/starpack/installed.db.

  • --installdir <dir> targets an alternate root.
  • --force forces removal even if dependency checks fail.
starpack remove vim --force

sync

Synchronises package databases for the specified install directory (defaults to /). This refreshes metadata and prepares the upgrade list.

starpack sync --installdir /srv/chroot

upgrade

Upgrades packages to their latest available versions. Without positional package names, Starpack upgrades every entry returned by the updater. When specific names are provided, only those packages are processed.

starpack upgrade

outdated

Lists packages that have a newer version available. The command honours --installdir to inspect alternative roots.

starpack outdated

fix-timestamps

Repairs package timestamps using repository data for the selected installation directory.

starpack fix-timestamps

info

Displays metadata for a single package. Starpack first checks the local database at /var/lib/starpack/installed.db; if not found it queries configured repositories listed in /etc/starpack/repos.conf.

starpack info starpack

list

Prints every package recorded as installed.

starpack list

clean

Clears the package cache under /var/cache/starpack after confirming write access.

starpack clean

liftoff

Prints the Starpack spaceship ASCII art.

starpack liftoff

repo

Manages repository definitions stored in /etc/starpack.d/repos.conf and performs index maintenance.

  • repo list — print every configured repository.
  • repo add <url[::name]> — append a repository; providing ::name stores a friendly name.
  • repo remove <url> — delete a repository by its URL.
  • repo index <path> — build a repository index from the directory at <path>.
  • repo add-missing <path> — add packages that are missing from an existing index at <path>.
starpack repo add https://repo.sfgos.net/core::core

Exit Codes

Commands return 0 on success. Failures such as unknown commands, missing arguments, permission errors, or repository fetch issues return 1.

Troubleshooting Checklist

  • "Unknown command" — run starpack without arguments to review supported commands.
  • "No write permission" — rerun with sufficient privileges or point --installdir to a writable root.
  • "Package not found" — ensure the repositories file lists the correct sources or run starpack repo list.