How to Install a Local `.pkg.tar.zst` Package on Arch Linux

Arch Linux is renowned for its simplicity, user control, and powerful package management system via pacman. One of the common scenarios Arch users may encounter is the need to install a local package in the .pkg.tar.zst format. This file format is used by Arch Linux for its binary packages, combining a tar archive with Zstandard compression, offering faster decompression and better performance.

This article will guide you through the process of installing .pkg.tar.zst packages locally, including what these files are, how they are created, and the correct and safe methods for local installation. We’ll also discuss use cases, security considerations, troubleshooting tips, and package removal.

Table of Contents

1. What is a .pkg.tar.zst file?
2. Why install a package locally?
3. Prerequisites
4. Installing .pkg.tar.zst packages using pacman
5. Verifying package signatures (optional but recommended)
6. Creating your own .pkg.tar.zst package
7. Troubleshooting local installations
8. Uninstalling a locally installed package
9. Conclusion

1. What is a .pkg.tar.zst File?

The .pkg.tar.zst file is the standard format for precompiled binary packages in Arch Linux. It contains all necessary files for an application or tool to run, as well as metadata used by pacman for package management.

• .pkg indicates it’s a package.
• .tar indicates that the contents are archived.
• .zst indicates compression via Zstandard, a modern compression algorithm.

These files are generally created using the makepkg tool (part of the base-devel group) and are the result of building software from PKGBUILDs, often sourced from the AUR (Arch User Repository).

2. Why Install a Package Locally?

There are several legitimate reasons to install a package from a local .pkg.tar.zst file:

• Custom-built packages: You may have compiled a program from source with custom options.
• Offline installations: Installing on systems without internet access.
• Distributing software in closed networks: For use in internal or enterprise environments.
• Reinstalling specific versions: For stability, compatibility, or rollback purposes.

3. Prerequisites

Before installing a local .pkg.tar.zst package, ensure the following:

• You are using Arch Linux or a derivative (e.g., Manjaro, EndeavourOS).
• You have access to the terminal with root privileges or use sudo.
• The .pkg.tar.zst package is located on your local filesystem.
• The package is built for your architecture (e.g., x86_64).

Ensure the pacman tool is installed and working. You can verify this with:

pacman --version

4. Installing .pkg.tar.zst Packages Using pacman

The safest and most standard method to install a local package in Arch Linux is with pacman -U:

Basic Syntax

sudo pacman -U /path/to/package.pkg.tar.zst

Example

Assume you have a package called hello-2.10-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst in your ~/Downloads directory. You can install it using:

cd ~/Downloads
sudo pacman -U hello-2.10-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst

What Happens During Installation?

• pacman will check for dependencies.
• If dependencies are missing, it will attempt to download them (if online).
• It installs the package, updates the local package database, and marks it as installed.

You can verify the installation:

pacman -Qi hello

And list files installed:

pacman -Ql hello

5. Verifying Package Signatures (Optional but Recommended)

If the package was signed with a GPG key, it’s good practice to verify its signature before installation:

With .sig File

If there is a hello-2.10-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst.sig file:

gpg --verify hello-2.10-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst.sig hello-2.10-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst

Make sure you import the GPG key used to sign the package:

gpg --recv-keys <key_id>

This step helps ensure the authenticity and integrity of the package, especially if sourced from an unofficial or third-party repository.

6. Creating Your Own .pkg.tar.zst Package

To create such a package yourself:

Step 1: Install base-devel

sudo pacman -S base-devel

Step 2: Get the PKGBUILD

Clone a PKGBUILD from AUR or write your own:

git clone https://aur.archlinux.org/hello.git
cd hello

Step 3: Build the Package

makepkg -si

This will create a .pkg.tar.zst file in the directory if the build succeeds. You can now copy this package elsewhere and install it on another system using the pacman -U method.

You can also build without installing immediately:

makepkg

Resulting in a file like hello-2.10-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst.

7. Troubleshooting Local Installations

Issue: Missing Dependencies

If you see errors about missing libraries or packages:

• Ensure the target system is up to date:

sudo pacman -Syu

• Manually install missing dependencies via:

sudo pacman -S <package_name>

Or use an AUR helper like yay if the package isn’t in the official repos.

Issue: Corrupted Package

If pacman refuses to install due to file corruption:

zstd -t package.pkg.tar.zst

This checks the integrity of the compressed file.

Issue: Keyring Problems

Sometimes GPG signature verification fails due to missing or outdated keys:

sudo pacman-key --init
sudo pacman-key --populate archlinux

8. Uninstalling a Locally Installed Package

Removing a package installed from a .pkg.tar.zst file is the same as removing any other package:

sudo pacman -Rns hello

• -R: remove
• -n: remove configuration files
• -s: remove unused dependencies

You can also list orphaned packages (no longer required by any other):

pacman -Qdt

Then remove them if desired:

sudo pacman -Rns $(pacman -Qdtq)

9. Conclusion

Installing local .pkg.tar.zst packages on Arch Linux is a straightforward process when using pacman -U. Whether you’re dealing with offline environments, deploying internal builds, or testing your own compiled software, this capability offers excellent flexibility for power users.

Just remember:

• Always verify your packages if obtained from third parties.
• Check for dependencies and system compatibility.
• Use pacman to install and manage packages whenever possible to keep your system clean and organized.

By understanding this workflow, you’re one step closer to mastering the Arch way — doing things manually, transparently, and with full control.