apt-file Command Examples

Search for files in apt packages, including ones not yet installed. More information: https://manpages.debian.org/latest/apt-file/apt-file.1.html.

• Update the metadata database:

sudo apt update

• Search for packages that contain the specified file or path:

apt-file {{search|find}} {{partial_path/to/file}}

• List the contents of a specific package:

apt-file {{show|list}} {{package}}

• Search for packages that match the regular_expression:

apt-file {{search|find}} --regexp {{regular_expression}}