How to Use AUR Helper on Manjaro: Simple Steps for Better Package Management

Manjaro Linux is a popular choice for many users who prefer a rolling-release distribution with a user-friendly interface. While Manjaro’s official repositories offer an extensive selection of software, some users may require packages that are not available in the official repositories. This is where AUR (Arch User Repository) comes in handy. AUR is a community-driven repository for Arch-based distributions that hosts thousands of packages. However, installing packages from AUR can be a bit tricky for novice users, which is where AUR helpers come into play. In this post, we will explore what AUR helper is, how to install an AUR helper on Manjaro, and best practices for using AUR helper to install packages from AUR. So, if you want to learn how to make the most of AUR on Manjaro, keep reading!

What is AUR Helper?

Before diving into AUR Helper, it’s important to understand what AUR is. The Arch User Repository is a community-driven repository for Arch Linux-based distributions, including Manjaro. It contains a wide variety of packages that aren’t available in the official repositories, making it an invaluable resource for Manjaro users.

However, installing packages from AUR can be difficult, especially for users who are new to Linux. This is where AUR helpers come in. AUR helpers are command-line tools that automate the process of downloading, compiling, and installing packages from AUR. This makes it much easier for users to install software from AUR without having to manually handle dependencies and other technical details.

AUR Helper Manjaro: Install and Setup

Now that you understand what AUR Helper is, let’s look at how to install and set it up on Manjaro. There are several AUR helpers available, but one of the most popular and user-friendly is yay.

To install yay on Manjaro, you’ll first need to enable AUR. To do this, open your package manager and enable AUR repositories. Once you’ve enabled AUR, you can then install yay by running the following command in your terminal:

sudo pacman -S yay

Once yay is installed, you’ll need to configure it. The default configuration should work for most users, but you can customize it by editing the configuration file at ~/.config/yay/config.json.

Using AUR Helper to Install Packages

With yay installed and set up, you can now use it to install packages from AUR. To install a package, simply run the following command in your terminal:

yay -S <package_name>

Replace <package_name> with the name of the package, you want to install. Yay will then automatically download and install the package, along with any necessary dependencies.

For example, to install the popular text editor VS Code, run the following command:

yay -S visual-studio-code-bin

For additional resources on installing Yay AUR Helper, read the post below:

• How to install Yay AUR Helper on Manjaro Linux √

One of the great things about yay is that it automatically handles dependencies for you. This means you don’t have to worry about manually downloading and installing dependencies before installing the package itself. Yay also automatically updates packages from AUR when new versions become available, making it a convenient way to keep your software up-to-date.

Best Practices When Using AUR Helper

While AUR Helper can simplify the process of installing packages from the AUR, there are some best practices you should follow to ensure the security and stability of your system:

• Only install packages from trusted sources: AUR packages are not officially supported by Arch Linux or Manjaro, so it is important to only install packages from trusted sources. Check the package page for ratings, comments, and user feedback before installing a package.
• Always read the package build script: AUR packages are built from the source, which means that they can execute arbitrary code on your system. Always read the build script to ensure that it does not contain any malicious or harmful commands.
• Keep your system up-to-date: Updating your system regularly with the latest security patches and bug fixes can help prevent vulnerabilities and ensure system stability.
• Use a package manager with built-in AUR support: Manjaro provides a package manager with built-in AUR support, which simplifies the process of installing AUR packages and reduces the risk of installing malicious packages.