documentation/docs/user_guide/aur.md

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Installing with AUR

🌟 Installing Packages with an AUR Helper on Snigdha OS

Snigdha OS is known for its powerful Arch User Repository (AUR), which provides access to user-contributed packages that are not included in the official repositories. To simplify the process of building and installing packages from the AUR, many users rely on AUR helpers like yay, paru, or trizen.

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🔧 Step 1: Install an AUR Helper

Popular AUR Helpers

1. Yay (Yet Another Yaourt)
   Lightweight and popular among Arch users.

   • Install:

     sudo pacman -S --needed git base-devel
     git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/yay.git
     cd yay
     makepkg -si
     

2. Paru
   A modern AUR helper written in Rust.

   • Install:

     sudo pacman -S --needed git base-devel
     git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/paru.git
     cd paru
     makepkg -si
     

3. Trizen
   Another reliable AUR helper.

   • Install:

     sudo pacman -S --needed git base-devel
     git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/trizen.git
     cd trizen
     makepkg -si
     

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🌟 Step 2: Search and Install AUR Packages

Once your AUR helper is installed, you can easily search for and install AUR packages.

Basic Commands

Command	Description
yay -S package-name	Install a package from AUR.
paru -S package-name	Install a package from AUR.
yay -Ss package-name	Search for a package in AUR.
paru -Ss package-name	Search for a package in AUR.
yay -Syu	Update all installed packages (including AUR).
paru -Syu	Update all installed packages (including AUR).
yay -R package-name	Remove a package.
paru -R package-name	Remove a package.

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🌐 Step 3: Example Installations

1. Install visual-studio-code-bin (AUR package):

   yay -S visual-studio-code-bin
   

2. Search for a package (e.g., Brave Browser):

   paru -Ss brave
   

3. Update All Packages:

   yay -Syu
   

4. Remove a Package (e.g., Discord):

   paru -R discord
   

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⚠️ Tips and Precautions

1. Enable Parallel Builds: Speed up builds by editing /etc/makepkg.conf and setting:

   MAKEFLAGS="-j$(nproc)"
   

   This uses all available CPU cores for compiling.

2. Check PKGBUILDs: Always review the PKGBUILD file for security before installing a package:

   yay -G package-name
   cd package-name
   cat PKGBUILD
   

3. Use Trusted Helpers: Stick to widely-used and actively maintained AUR helpers to minimize risks.

4. Update Regularly: Keep your system updated, as outdated packages can lead to dependency issues:

   yay -Syu
   

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🚀 Conclusion

Using an AUR helper like yay or paru streamlines the process of installing and managing AUR packages, making Snigdha OS even more powerful and user-friendly. Happy exploring! 😄