Yet Another Yogurt, or YAY, is a popular AUR helper written in Go programming language. AUR (Arch User Repository) is a community-driven repository of user-created packages for Arch Linux and its derivatives. AUR helpers automate the process of downloading, building, and installing packages from the AUR.
YAY has gained popularity among Arch Linux users due to its ease of use, speed, and versatility. YAY is known for its simple and intuitive command-line interface, which allows users to search for and install packages from the AUR quickly. Additionally, YAY supports parallel downloads and automatic dependency resolution and can even build packages from Git repositories.
While YAY is a relatively new AUR helper, it has quickly gained a loyal following among Arch Linux users. However, it is important to note that other popular AUR helpers are available such as Pamac, Paru, and Pikaur. Each of these helpers has its strengths and weaknesses, and users should choose the one that best suits their needs.
In particular, Pamac is a popular AUR helper among Manjaro Linux users, as it is the natively installed AUR helper on that distribution. However, many Manjaro users also choose to install YAY as it provides a more lightweight and customizable alternative to Pamac.
The following guide will demonstrate how to install YAY on Manjaro Linux using the Arch Linux User Repository and the natively installed Manjaro Pamac AUR helper.
Step 1: Update Manjaro
Installing Yay on your Manjaro Linux system requires updating your system and installing all available package upgrades. This ensures that your system remains well-maintained and avoids potential issues during installation.
To update your Manjaro system, run the following command in the terminal:
sudo pacman -SyuHowever, this command may not update all packages if you haven’t updated your system in a while. In such cases, perform a full database dump by running the following command:
sudo pacman -Syyu
It is also recommended to update Pamac, Manjaro’s package manager, using the following commands:
sudo pamac checkupdates -a
sudo pamac upgrade -aOccasionally, issues with GPG keys becoming invalid or corrupted can arise when updating packages with Pacman. If you encounter this issue, try the following commands as a troubleshooting step:
sudo pacman -S archlinux-keyring manjaro-keyring
sudo pacman-key --populate archlinux manjaroIf the above commands fail to resolve the issue, you can try the following steps as a last resort:
sudo rm -r /etc/pacman.d/gnupg
sudo pacman-key --init
sudo pacman-key --populate manjaro
sudo pacman-key --populate archlinux
sudo pacman -Syvv manjaro-keyringAfter performing these steps, run the command “sudo pacman -Syu” again to ensure your Manjaro Linux system is up-to-date and ready for further installations.
Step 2: Install yay
To install Yay on your Manjaro Linux system, you’ll need to follow a few simple steps. First, ensure you have the Git and base-devel packages installed on your system. You can do this by running the following command in the terminal:
sudo pacman -S git base-develNext, you’ll need to clone the Yay repository. To do this, run the following command:
git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.gitOnce the repository has been cloned, change to the yay directory using the following command:
cd yayNow you’re ready to build and install Yay. To do this, run the following command:
makepkg -siThis will build the Yay package and install it on your system. Once the installation is complete, you can remove the yay directory using the following command:
Once the installation is complete, you can remove the yay directory:
rm -rf yayYay is now installed on your Manjaro Linux system and ready to use. You can install packages from the AUR as you would with pacman.
Top yay Commands for Manjaro Linux
Searching for Packages
Syntax: yay -Ss package_name
This command searches for the package in the Manjaro repositories and the AUR. For example, to search for the VLC media player package, run:
yay -Ss vlc
Installing Packages
Syntax: yay -S package_name
This command installs the specified package from the Manjaro repositories or the AUR. For example, to install the VLC media player package, run:
yay -S vlcUpdating Packages
Syntax: yay -Syu
This command updates all installed packages on the system, including packages from the Manjaro repositories and the AUR. For example, to update all installed packages, run:
yay -Syu
Upgrading Packages from AUR
Syntax: yay -Sua
This command upgrades all installed packages from the AUR. For example, to upgrade all installed packages from the AUR, run:
yay -Sua
Upgrade Only AUR Packages
Syntax: yay -Sua –aur
This command upgrades only the packages installed from the AUR. For example, to upgrade only AUR packages, run:
yay -Sua --aurUpdating Development and Standard Packages
Syntax: yay -Syyu –devel
The command “yay -Syyu –devel” updates the system, including development packages. The option “–devel” includes packages from the testing repositories, allowing users to test and use bleeding-edge software.
yay -Syyu --develRemoving Packages
Syntax: yay -R package_name
This command removes the specified package from the system. For example, to remove the VLC media player package, run:
yay -R vlc
Cleaning the System
Syntax: yay -Yc
This command cleans the system by removing orphaned packages, which were installed as dependencies but no longer required by any other package. For example, to clean the system, run:
yay -Yc
Searching for Orphaned Packages
Syntax: yay -Yua
This command searches for orphaned packages on the system. For example, to search for orphaned packages, run:
yay -Yua
Removing Orphaned Packages
Syntax: yay -Yr
This command removes all orphaned packages from the system. For example, to remove all orphaned packages, run:
yay -Yr
Removing Old Versions of Packages
Syntax: yay -Sc
This command removes old versions of packages from the system. For example, to remove old versions of packages, run:
yay -Sc
Removing Old Versions of Packages
Syntax: yay -Sc
This command removes old versions of packages from the system. For example, to remove old versions of packages, run:
yay -ScDisplay Information About a Package
Syntax: yay -Si package_name
This command displays information about the package, including its description, dependencies, size, and version. For example, to display information about the VLC media player package, run:
yay -Si vlc
Display Information About an Installed Package
Syntax: yay -Qi package_name
This command displays information about the installed package, including its name, version, and installed size. For example, to display information about the installed VLC media player package, run:
yay -Qi vlcList All Packages in a Repository
Syntax: yay -Sl repository_name
This command lists all packages in the specified repository. For example, to list all packages in the core repository, run:
yay -Sl coreList All Installed Packages
Syntax: yay -Q
This command lists all installed packages. For example, to list all installed packages, run:
yay QList All Outdated Packages
Syntax: yay -Qu
This command lists all outdated packages.
yay -QuDownload PKGBUILD from ABS or AUR
Syntax: yay -G package_name
This command downloads the PKGBUILD file of a package from the ABS or AUR. For example, to download the PKGBUILD file for the VLC media player package from the AUR, run:
yay -G vlcPrint to Stdout PKGBUILD from ABS or AUR
Syntax: yay -P package_name
This command prints the contents of the PKGBUILD file of a package to the terminal. For example, to print the PKGBUILD file for the VLC media player package from the AUR, run:
yay -P vlcGenerate Development Package Database
Syntax: yay -Y –gendb
This command generates a database of development packages on your system. For example, to generate the development package database, run the following:
yay -Y --gendbPrint Yay System Stats
Syntax: yay -Qi
This command displays system stats such as installed packages’ numbers and versions. For example, to display system stats, run:
yay -QiRead Yay Official Docs
Syntax: man yay
This command opens the Yay manual page in the terminal. For example, to read the Yay manual, run:
man yayThese are just a few yay commands for managing Manjaro Linux packages.
Conclusion
In conclusion, installing and using Yay on Manjaro Linux gives users a powerful tool for managing packages from the official repositories and the AUR. With its extensive feature set and user-friendly interface, Yay makes searching, installing, updating, and removing packages on Manjaro Linux easy. Whether you’re a novice or an experienced Linux user, Yay is an essential tool that can greatly simplify your package management workflow.
FAQs on yay with Manjaro
Q: What is Yay?
A: Yay is an AUR (Arch User Repository) helper tool for Arch-based Linux distributions like Manjaro. It allows users to search, install, upgrade, and remove packages from the official repositories and the AUR.
Q: What are the benefits of using Yay?
A: Yay provides access to a wider range of software packages unavailable in the official repositories, making it easier for users to find and install the necessary packages. It also automates many steps in installing packages from the AUR, making the process faster and more convenient.
Q: Is it safe to use Yay to install packages?
A: Yay is generally considered safe to use, but as with any tool that installs software on your system, there is a small risk of installing packages that contain malware or other security threats. Reviewing package information and checking the package source before installing any packages with Yay is important.
Q: Can Yay be used to install packages from sources other than the AUR?
A: No, Yay is specifically designed to install packages from the AUR or the official repositories, and it cannot be used to install packages from other sources.
Q: How do I update packages installed with Yay?
A: You can update all packages installed with Yay by running the command “yay -Syu” in the terminal. This will update both packages from the official repositories and packages from the AUR.
Q: Can I use Yay to install packages on other Linux distributions?
A: Yay is designed specifically for Arch-based Linux distributions like Manjaro and may not work on other Linux distributions without modification. It is recommended to check with your distribution package manager or community for information on the best way to install packages.
Q: Can Yay be used to search for packages in the Manjaro repositories only?
A: Yes, you can only use the command “yay -Ss package_name” to search for packages in the Manjaro repositories.
Q: What is the difference between “yay -Syu” and “yay -Syyu”?
A: “yay -Syu” updates the package database and installs updates for all installed packages, while “yay -Syyu” performs a full update of the package database before installing updates. The latter command is useful in case of issues with the package database.
Q: Can Yay be used to install packages from other AUR helpers?
A: Yes, Yay can install packages from other AUR helpers using the “-a” flag. For example, “yay -Sua –aur -a” will upgrade all packages, including those installed with other AUR helpers.
Q: How do I check for updates for a specific package with Yay?
A: You can check for updates for a specific package with the command “yay -Syu package_name”. Replace “package_name” with the package name you want to check for updates.
Q: What is better, Pamac, that is natively installed on Manjaro Linux or Yay?
A: Both Pamac and Yay have their advantages and disadvantages. Pamac is a graphical package manager that is easier to use and more beginner-friendly. Yay, on the other hand, is a command-line tool that provides more control and flexibility. It is also better suited for advanced users who prefer the command line. Ultimately, the choice between the two depends on your preferences and the tasks you need to perform.
