pkgtop
Interactive terminal dashboard for managing packages and monitoring system resources on GNU/Linux.
What is pkgtop?
pkgtop is an interactive package manager and resource monitor tool designed for GNU/Linux systems. It provides a terminal dashboard that allows users to manage packages (install, upgrade, remove, search) and monitor system resources like disk usage through an intuitive keyboard-driven interface. It solves the problem of complex command-line package management by offering a visual and interactive alternative.
Linux users, system administrators, and developers who prefer terminal-based tools and want a streamlined way to manage packages and monitor system resources without memorizing numerous commands.
Developers choose pkgtop for its combination of package management and system monitoring in a single, keyboard-driven terminal interface. Its support for multiple package managers and distributions, along with features like AUR integration and command execution history, makes it a versatile tool for daily Linux system management.
Overview
Interactive package manager and resource monitor designed for the GNU/Linux.
Use Cases
Best For
- Managing packages on Arch Linux with AUR support
- Monitoring disk usage and system resources in the terminal
- Simplifying package management for new Linux users
- Quickly installing or removing packages without memorizing commands
- Using a unified tool across different Linux distributions
- Interactive package management via keyboard shortcuts
Not Ideal For
- Environments requiring fully automated, scriptable package management for CI/CD pipelines
- Users who need granular control over every package manager flag and advanced option
- Headless servers or systems without terminal UI (TUI) support for interactive dashboards
Pros & Cons
Pros
Provides shortcut keys for install, upgrade, remove, and search operations, reducing the need to memorize complex command-line syntax as shown in the usage table.
Works with eight major package managers including pacman, apt, and dnf, supporting distributions like Arch, Debian, Fedora, and Gentoo out of the box.
Displays real-time disk usage and system information at the top of the dashboard, helping users decide on cleanup while managing packages.
Seamlessly integrates with AUR helpers like paru via the -pacman option, enabling easy management of user repository packages on Arch-based systems.
Cons
Requires a fully functional terminal with TUI capabilities, making it unsuitable for minimal or headless environments where graphical or interactive interfaces are unavailable.
As a wrapper around native package managers, it may not expose all advanced features and could introduce slight performance delays compared to direct command-line use.
For distributions not predefined, users must specify the distribution with the -d argument, adding setup complexity and potential for misconfiguration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Projects
the-art-of-command-lineMaster the command line, in one page
fzf:cherry_blossom: A command-line fuzzy finder
BatA cat(1) clone with wings.
the_silver_searcherA code-searching tool similar to ack, but faster.
Found a gem we're missing?
Open-Awesome is built by the community, for the community. Submit a project, suggest an awesome list, or help improve the catalog on GitHub.