---
name: "pkgenpack"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "packagekit-tools"
version: "0.7.6-3"
release: "Debian 7 (Wheezy)"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/pkgenpack"
---

# pkgenpack(1)

PackageKit Pack Generator

## NAME

pkgenpack - PackageKit Pack Generator

## SYNOPSIS

**pkgenpack** \[**--help**\] \[**--verbose**\] \[**--with-package-list**\] \[**--output**\] \[**--package**\] \[**--updates**\]

## DESCRIPTION

This manual page documents briefly the **pkgenpack** command.

**pkgenpack** is the command line client for PackageKit for creating service packs.

## WHAT IS A SERVICE PACK?

A service pack is a tarball which contains a set of packages and their dependencies. The user can reduce the dependencies to be packed using the --with-package-list option. Along with the dependencies, a service pack has a file named metadata.conf which contains the information about the distribution and creation date of the pack.

## CREATING A SERVICE PACK?

A service pack is created using the command **pkgenpack**.

## OPTIONS

This program follows the usual GNU command line syntax, with long options starting with two dashes (\`-'). A summary of options is included below.

- **--help**

  Show summary of options.

- **--verbose**

  Show extra debugging information.

- **--with-package-list**

  Set the filename of dependencies to be excluded.

  Generally, the file list of packages is generated when doing a PackageKit refresh on the target system. If not specified, **pkgenpack** uses /var/lib/PackageKit/system.package-list by default.

- **--output**

  The directory to put the pack file, or the current directory if omitted.

- **--package**

  The package to be put into the ServicePack.

- **--update**

  Put all updates available in the ServicePack.

## NAMING A SERVICE PACK

The only valid extension for a service pack is ".servicepack".

## EXAMPLES

1\. Tim is facing problems with his Internet connection at home. He needs a service pack with valgrind and it's dependencies for his system. He asks James to generate a pack for him. Both know James's system should contain similar packages as Tim's system, as both of them have installed Fedora 9 two days ago.

James simply runs:

```
[james@jamesbook:~]$ pkgenpack --output=/media/USB/TimPacks --package=valgrind
```

This generates a file /media/USB/TimPacks/valgrind-fedora-9-i686.servicepack on the USB key Tim gave to James. Tim can now go home, insert the USB key and double clicks on the valgrind-fedora-9-i686.servicepack file to be prompted to install these packages.

2\. Bill wants to create a service pack named kdegames-fedora-9-i686.servicepack for his new system which does not have an internet connection. He generates a list of packages on his system using **pkcon list-create** and copies that list to his USB key. He then gives that USB to Rishi who has a good internet connectivity. Rishi runs the following command on his system:

```
[rishi@devils-temple:~]$ pkgenpack --with-package-list=/media/USB/bill.package-list \
                                   --output=/home/rishi/Desktop --program=kdegames
```

This generates a service pack, kdegames-fedora-9-i686.servicepack, on Rishi's Desktop, which can be distributed to Bill and users with similar requirements.

## INSTALLING A SERVICE PACK

Service Packs can be installed using pkcon. For example:

```
[hacker@tim-lounge:~]$ pkcon install /media/USB/TimPacks/valgrind-fedora-9-i686.servicepack
```

## SEE ALSO

**pkmon** (1). [**pkcon**(1)](/pkcon/1.md).

## AUTHOR

This manual page was written by Shishir Goel crazyontheedge@gmail.com and Richard Hughes richard@hughsie.com.

## COPYRIGHT

Copyright © 2008 Shishir Goel\