---
name: "apk-search"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "apk-tools"
version: "3.0.8-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/apk-search"
---

# apk-search(8)

search for packages by name or description

## NAME

apk search - search for packages by name or description

## SYNOPSIS

**apk search** \[\<*options*\>...\] *pattern*...

## DESCRIPTION

**apk search** searches all repositories for packages matching at least one pattern. If no pattern is given, it lists all packages in the configured repositories (see [**apk-repositories**(5)](/apk-repositories/5.md)). A pattern matches if it is a case-insensitive substring of the package name.

## OPTIONS

In addition to the global options (see [**apk**(8)](/apk/8.md)), and query options (see [**apk-query**(8)](/apk-query/8.md)) the following options are supported:

- **--all**, **-a**

  Print all matching package versions. By default, **apk** only shows the latest version.

- **--description**, **-d**

  Also search for *pattern* in the package description. By default, **apk** does not search package descriptions.

- **--exact**, **-e**, **-x**

  Match package names exactly.

- **--has-origin**

  Match by package origin. Shows all packages whose base package name matches *pattern* exactly. Implies **--all** and **--exact**.

- **--origin**, **-o**

  Print base package name.

- **--rdepends**, **-r**

  Print reverse dependencies (other packages which depend on the package).