---
name: "aria_pack"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "mariadb"
version: "13.0.2-2"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/aria_pack"
---

# aria\_pack(1)

generate compressed, read-only Aria tables

## NAME

aria\_pack - generate compressed, read-only Aria tables

## SYNOPSIS

**aria\_pack** \[*OPTIONS*\] *filename*...

## DESCRIPTION

Pack a Aria-table to take much less space. Keys are not updated, you must run **aria\_chk -rq** on the index (.MAI) file afterwards to update the keys. You should give the .MAI file as the filename argument. To unpack a packed table, run **aria\_chk -u** on the table

- **-b**, **--backup**

  Make a backup of the table as table\_name.OLD.

- **--character-sets-dir**=*name*

  Directory where character sets are.

- **-#**, **--debug**\[=*name*\]

  Output debug log. Often this is 'd:t:o,filename'.

- **-f**, **--force**

  Force packing of table even if it gets bigger or if tempfile exists.

- **-j**, **--join**=*name*

  Join all given tables into 'new\_table\_name'. All tables MUST have identical layouts.

- **-?**, **--help**

  Display this help and exit.

- **-s**, **--silent**

  Be more silent.

- **-T**, **--tmpdir**=*name*

  Use temporary directory to store temporary table.

- **-t**, **--test**

  Don't pack table, only test packing it.

- **-v**, **--verbose**

  Write info about progress and packing result. Use many **-v** for more verbosity!

- **-V**, **--version**

  Output version information and exit.

- **-w**, **--wait**

  Wait and retry if table is in use.

Default options are read from the following files in the given order: **/etc/my.cnf /etc/mysql/my.cnf ~/.my.cnf**

The following groups are read: **ariapack**

The following options may be given as the first argument:

- **--print-defaults**

  Print the program argument list and exit.

- **--no-defaults**

  Don't read default options from any option file.

- **--defaults-file=**#

  Only read default options from the given file #.

- **--defaults-extra-file=**#

  Read this file after the global files are read.

## SEE ALSO

**[myisampack(1)](/myisampack/1.md)**

For more information, please refer to the MariaDB Documentation, available online at https://mariadb.com/docs/