Exploring yay helper in Arch Linux

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Welcome, Linux enthusiasts!

If you’re an Arch Linux enthusiast, you know that managing AUR (Arch User Repository) packages can be a bit of a chore 😅

That’s where Yay (Yet Another Yaourt) comes in! This powerful AUR helper simplifies the process of searching, installing, and managing packages from the AUR 🤩

In this post, we’ll dive into what Yay is, how to install it, and some handy commands to streamline your Arch Linux experience.

Let’s get started! 🛠️✨

What is Yay helper?

Yay is an AUR helper that stands out for its speed and simplicity. It is written in Go and offers a variety of features that make managing AUR packages a breeze. Some of its key features include:

⚡Parallel Downloads: Yay can download multiple packages simultaneously, speeding up the installation process

🔍Interactive Search: Search for packages interactively and choose the ones you want to install

🙌Minimal User Interaction: Yay automates many aspects of package installation, reducing the need for manual intervention

🔗Dependency Resolution: Automatically handles dependencies for AUR packages.

How to install Yay?

Installing yay is quick and straightforward. Use the following command in the terminal:

sudo pacman S yay

Once yay is installed, you’re ready to explore its capabilities🌟

Using yay

Now that Yay is installed, let’s explore some basic commands that will make managing your AUR packages effortless.

Searching for Packages 🔍

To search for a package in the AUR, use the following command:

yay Ss <package_name>

For example, to search for visual-studio-code, you would use:

yay Ss visualstudiocode

Installing Packages 📦

To install a package from the AUR, use:

yay S <package_name>

For instance, to install visual-studio-code, you would run:

Upgrading Packages 🔄

To upgrade all packages (both official repository and AUR), simply use:

yay Syu

Removing Packages 🗑️

To remove a package, use:

yay Rns <package_name>

For example, to remove visual-studio-code, you would run:

yay Rns visualstudiocode

Cleaning Up Cache 🧹

To clean up the package cache and remove uninstalled package tarballs, use:

yay Sc

Conclusion

Yay is an essential tool for any Arch Linux user who frequently interacts with the AUR. It simplifies the process of managing AUR packages, saving you time and effort. Whether you’re searching for new software, installing packages, or keeping your system up to date, Yay has got you covered💪

Try out Yay today and supercharge your Arch Linux experience🚀

If you have any tips or tricks for using Yay, feel free to share them in the comments below👇

Thank you for reading my blog post. Hope you learned something new😊

Happy hacking! 🚀