---
name: "dpkg-divert"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "dpkg"
version: "1.17.27"
release: "Debian 8 (Jessie)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/dpkg-divert/8"
---

# dpkg-divert(8)

override a package's version of a file

## NAME

dpkg-divert - override a package's version of a file

## SYNOPSIS

**dpkg-divert** \[*option*...\] *command*

## DESCRIPTION

**dpkg-divert** is the utility used to set up and update the list of diversions.

File *diversions* are a way of forcing [**dpkg**(1)](/dpkg/1.md) not to install a file into its location, but to a *diverted* location. Diversions can be used through the Debian package scripts to move a file away when it causes a conflict. System administrators can also use it to override some package's configuration file, or whenever some files (which aren't marked as 'conffiles') need to be preserved by **dpkg**, when installing a newer version of a package which contains those files.

## COMMANDS

- \[**--add**\] *file*

  Add a diversion for *file*.

- **--remove** *file*

  Remove a diversion for *file*.

- **--list** *glob-pattern*

  List diversions matching *glob-pattern*.

- **--listpackage** *file*

  Print the name of the package that diverts *file*.  Prints LOCAL if *file* is locally diverted and nothing if *file* is not diverted.

- **--truename** *file*

  Print the real name for a diverted file.

## OPTIONS

- **--admindir** *directory*

  Set the **dpkg** data directory to *directory* (default: */var/lib/dpkg*).

- **--divert** *divert-to*

  *divert-to* is the location where the versions of *file*, as provided by other packages, will be diverted.

- **--local**

  Specifies that all packages' versions of this file are diverted. This means, that there are no exceptions, and whatever package is installed, the file is diverted. This can be used by an admin to install a locally modified version.

- **--package** *package*

  *package* is the name of a package whose copy of *file* will not be diverted. i.e. *file* will be diverted for all packages except *package*.

- **--quiet**

  Quiet mode, i.e. no verbose output.

- **--rename**

  Actually move the file aside (or back). **dpkg-divert** will abort operation in case the destination file already exists.

- **--test**

  Test mode, i.e. don't actually perform any changes, just demonstrate.

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

  Show the usage message and exit.

- **--version**

  Show the version and exit.

## ENVIRONMENT

- **DPKG\_ADMINDIR**

  If set and the **--admindir** option has not been specified, it will be used as the **dpkg** data directory.

- **DPKG\_MAINTSCRIPT\_PACKAGE**

  If set and the **--local** and **--package** options have not been specified, **dpkg-divert** will use it as the package name.

## FILES

- */var/lib/dpkg/diversions*

  File which contains the current list of diversions of the system. It is located in the **dpkg** administration directory, along with other files important to **dpkg**, such as *status* or *available*.\
   Note: **dpkg-divert** preserves the old copy of this file, with extension *-old*, before replacing it with the new one.

## NOTES

When adding, default is **--local** and **--divert** *original***.distrib**. When removing, **--package** or **--local** and **--divert** must match if specified.

Directories can't be diverted with **dpkg-divert**.

Care should be taken when diverting shared libraries, [**ldconfig**(8)](/ldconfig/8.md) creates a symbolic link based on the DT\_SONAME field embedded in the library. Because **ldconfig** doesn't honour diverts (only **dpkg** does), the symlink may end up pointing at the diverted library, if a diverted library has the same SONAME as the undiverted one.

## EXAMPLES

To divert all copies of a */usr/bin/example* to */usr/bin/example.foo*, i.e. directs all packages providing */usr/bin/example* to install it as */usr/bin/example.foo*, performing the rename if required:

dpkg-divert --divert /usr/bin/example.foo --rename /usr/bin/example

To remove that diversion:

dpkg-divert --rename --remove /usr/bin/example

To divert any package trying to install */usr/bin/example* to */usr/bin/example.foo*, except your own *wibble* package:

dpkg-divert --package wibble --divert /usr/bin/example.foo --rename /usr/bin/example

To remove that diversion:

dpkg-divert --package wibble --rename --remove /usr/bin/example

## SEE ALSO

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