How to Install and Manage Packages with apt

Published 2026-08-05 · Learn Linux

The apt command installs and manages software on Debian and Ubuntu. sudo apt install nginx downloads and installs nginx with one command. This guide covers the handful of apt operations you will use constantly, from searching to removing.

Update the package list first

Before installing or upgrading, refresh apt's list of available packages with apt update. It does not install anything — it just syncs the catalogs so later commands know what exists.

$ sudo apt update

Search for a package

Not sure of the exact package name? apt search looks through names and descriptions.

$ apt search text editor

Install a package

Install with apt install. apt resolves dependencies automatically and asks for confirmation. Answer y or pass -y to skip the prompt.

$ sudo apt install -y nginx

Upgrade installed packages

apt upgrade brings every installed package up to date. It is the routine maintenance step after running apt update. For kernel upgrades that can remove packages, use apt full-upgrade.

$ sudo apt upgrade

Remove and clean up

Uninstall with apt remove. Add --purge to also delete config files, or use apt autoremove to drop orphaned dependencies no package uses anymore.

$ sudo apt remove --purge nginx

$ sudo apt autoremove

On Arch Linux the equivalent tool is pacman. See apt for more.