apx

apx [subsystem] command [options]

apx is a package management utility for Vanilla OS that supports multiple package sources through containerized subsystems. It allows installing packages from different Linux distributions (Debian, Fedora, Arch, etc.) without affecting the host system.Packages are installed in isolated subsystems based on Podman containers. Applications can be exported to the host system and integrated with the desktop environment while maintaining separation from the immutable host OS.

/etc/apx/apx.json

System-wide configuration defining the container storage path, apnx storage path, and default stack settings.

Per-user directory containing stacks, subsystems, and package manager configurations.

pkgmanagers

Manage package manager configurations

Manage stack configurations (base images and package managers)

Manage subsystems (container environments)

Enter a subsystem's shell

Install packages in a subsystem

Remove packages from a subsystem

Run a command in a subsystem

Search for packages in a subsystem

Update the list of available packages in a subsystem

Upgrade installed packages in a subsystem

Export an application or binary from a subsystem to the host system

Remove a previously exported application or binary

Requires Podman for container management. First-time subsystem creation downloads container images which may be large. Exported applications run inside containers, which may have slight performance overhead.

apx was developed as part of Vanilla OS, an immutable Linux distribution first released in 2022. It provides a novel approach to package management that preserves system immutability while allowing users to install software from multiple Linux ecosystems.

apx-pkgmanagers(1), apx-stacks(1), apx-subsystems(1), podman(1)

Source code · Homepage · Documentation