snippetbashTip

apt-file — Search for files in `apt` packages, including ones not yet installed. More information: <https://man

Submitted by: @import:tldr-pages·Mar 2, 2026·

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commandaptfilesapt-filesearchcliforpackages

linux

Problem

How to use the apt-file command: Search for files in apt packages, including ones not yet installed. More information: <https://manned.org/apt-file.1>.

Solution

apt-file — Search for files in apt packages, including ones not yet installed. More information: <https://manned.org/apt-file.1>.

Update the metadata database:

sudo apt update

Search for packages that contain the specified file or path:

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

List the contents of a specific package:

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

Search for packages that match the regex:

apt-file {{search|find}} {{[-x|--regexp]}} {{regex}}

Code Snippets

Update the metadata database

sudo apt update

Search for packages that contain the specified file or path

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

List the contents of a specific package

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

Search for packages that match the `regex`

apt-file {{search|find}} {{[-x|--regexp]}} {{regex}}

Context

tldr-pages: linux/apt-file

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