Configure slackpkg and slackpkg+ on Slackware

Before updating a remote server, open a second SSH session and always read the changelog for your Slackware version.

1. Preparation

Check connectivity and DNS
Back up /etc/slackpkg/ and critical configuration files
Check free space in / and /var

ping -c 3 slackware.uk
df -h
cp -a /etc/slackpkg /root/slackpkg-backup-$(date +%F)

2. Configure slackpkg (official mirror)

Open /etc/slackpkg/mirrors and enable only one mirror line for your release.

# example (uncomment only one line)
# https://mirrors.slackware.com/slackware/slackware64-15.0/

Import/update GPG keys if needed:

slackpkg update gpg

3. Correct update flow (Slackware)

slackpkg update
slackpkg install-new
slackpkg upgrade-all
slackpkg clean-system

slackpkg clean-system may propose removing important packages if you use third-party repos. Read carefully before confirming.

4. Handling .new files

After updates, Slackware may leave .new files in /etc. They must be compared and merged.

find /etc -name "*.new" -print
slackpkg new-config

5. Install and configure slackpkg+

slackpkg+ extends slackpkg to use multiple repositories (e.g. extra or personal repos).

Install the slackpkg+ package for your Slackware version.
Edit /etc/slackpkg/slackpkgplus.conf.

# Basic example
SLACKPKGPLUS=on
MIRRORPLUS['varallinux']=https://www.varallinux.it/Download/
REPOPLUS=( varallinux )

If you use multiple repos, set priorities and blacklist to avoid conflicts.

PKGS_PRIORITY=( varallinux )
BLACKLIST=( aaa_base kernel-* )

The blacklist is just an example: adapt it to your system. Avoid overwriting core packages without a reason.

6. Practical usage with slackpkg+

slackpkg update
slackpkg search packagename
slackpkg install packagename
slackpkg upgrade packagename

7. Best practices

Keep notes on active mirrors/repositories
Use screen or tmux on remote servers before long upgrades
Avoid mixing incompatible repositories for your release
Always review .new files after important updates

Quick checklist

[ ] Correct official mirror configured
[ ] slackpkg update gpg executed
[ ] update / install-new / upgrade-all
[ ] clean-system evaluated carefully
[ ] .new files reviewed
[ ] slackpkg+ configured (if used)
[ ] External repositories documented

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