tool

makepkg

makepkg is a command-line utility used in Arch Linux and its derivatives to automate the process of building software packages from source code. It reads a PKGBUILD script that contains metadata and build instructions, then compiles the software and packages it into a .pkg.tar.zst archive ready for installation with pacman. This tool is central to the Arch User Repository (AUR), enabling users to create and share custom packages.

Also known as: make pkg, makepkg-tool, arch makepkg, pkgbuild tool, aur makepkg

🧊Why learn makepkg?

Developers should learn makepkg when working with Arch Linux or similar distributions to build and install software not available in official repositories, such as from the AUR. It's essential for creating custom packages, modifying existing ones, or contributing to the Arch ecosystem. Use cases include installing bleeding-edge software, applying patches, or optimizing builds for specific hardware.