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Installer Reference

Complete reference for all DevEx package managers and installation methods

Installer Reference

DevEx supports a wide range of package managers and installation methods across different platforms. This comprehensive reference covers all available installers, their capabilities, and platform-specific usage.

Cross-Platform Installers

mise (Programming Language Manager)

Universal - Available on all platforms for programming language version management

Overview

  • Purpose: Programming language version management
  • Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows (planned)
  • Languages: Node.js, Python, Ruby, Go, Rust, Java, and 100+ more
  • Repository: mise-en-place

Usage

# Install specific language versions
devex install nodejs@18.17.0     # Specific Node.js version
devex install python@3.11        # Python 3.11.x latest
devex install go@latest          # Latest Go version
devex install rust               # Latest stable Rust

# List available versions
mise list-remote nodejs          # All Node.js versions
mise list python                 # Installed Python versions

Configuration

# mise configuration in DevEx
environment:
  programming_languages:
    nodejs:
      version: "18.17.0"
      global: true
    python:
      version: "3.11.5"
      global: true
    go:
      version: "1.21.0"
      global: false

Benefits

  • Version isolation per project or globally
  • Automatic switching based on project files
  • No conflicts between different versions
  • Consistent across development environments

curlpipe (Direct Downloads)

Universal - Direct installation via curl for cross-platform tools

Overview

  • Purpose: Direct downloads and script execution
  • Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows (PowerShell)
  • Use Cases: Install scripts, binary downloads, one-line installers
  • Security: Input validation and secure execution

Usage

# Install via installation script
devex install docker             # Executes Docker install script
devex install rust               # Rust toolchain installer
devex install node               # Node.js via installation script

# Custom installation commands
devex install --method=curlpipe "curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh"

Security Features

  • URL validation to prevent malicious scripts
  • HTTPS enforcement for secure downloads
  • Shell injection prevention with input sanitization
  • Context-aware execution with proper timeouts

Common Use Cases

# Development tools with install scripts
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com | sh                    # Docker
curl -fsSL https://sh.rustup.rs | sh                      # Rust
# Review script first: curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_lts.x | less
curl -fsSL https://deb.nodesource.com/setup_lts.x | sudo -E bash -  # Node.js

pip (Python Package Manager)

Universal - Python package installation across all platforms

Overview

  • Purpose: Python package and tool installation
  • Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows
  • Scope: Python applications and libraries
  • Integration: Works with system Python and mise-managed versions

Usage

# Install Python applications
devex install --method=pip jupyter        # Jupyter notebooks
devex install --method=pip ansible        # Ansible automation
devex install --method=pip black          # Python formatter

# With specific Python version
mise exec python@3.11 -- pip install package

Best Practices

  • Virtual environments for isolation
  • User installations (--user flag) to avoid system conflicts
  • Requirements files for reproducible installations

docker (Container Platform)

Universal - Container platform with cross-platform support

Overview

  • Purpose: Container platform and tools
  • Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows
  • Components: Docker Engine, Docker Compose, Docker Desktop
  • Integration: Service validation and daemon management

Platform-Specific Installation

Linux (Native):

# Adds Docker repository and installs
devex install docker             # Full Docker setup
# Includes: docker-ce, docker-ce-cli, containerd.io, docker-compose-plugin

macOS (Docker Desktop):

# Installs Docker Desktop via Homebrew cask
devex install docker             # Docker Desktop for Mac
# Includes: Docker Engine, Docker Compose, Kubernetes

Windows (Docker Desktop):

# Planned: Docker Desktop for Windows
devex install docker             # Docker Desktop for Windows
# Includes: WSL2 backend, Windows containers

Service Validation

DevEx automatically validates Docker installation:

  • Daemon availability checking
  • Service status verification
  • Docker Compose functionality testing
  • Permission setup (Linux docker group)

Linux Package Managers

APT (Advanced Package Tool)

Primary - Debian, Ubuntu, and derivatives

Overview

  • Distributions: Debian, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Elementary OS
  • Package Format: .deb files
  • Repository: Official and third-party APT repositories
  • Update Mechanism: apt update && apt upgrade

Features

# System package installation
devex install git                # apt install git
devex install nodejs             # apt install nodejs
devex install python3-pip        # apt install python3-pip

# Repository management
devex install code               # Adds Microsoft repository automatically
devex install docker            # Adds Docker repository automatically

APT Source Management

DevEx automatically manages APT sources for applications:

# Example: Visual Studio Code with APT source
applications:
  development:
    - name: code
      linux:
        install_method: 'apt'
        install_command: 'code'
        apt_sources:
          - key_source: 'https://packages.microsoft.com/keys/microsoft.asc'
            key_name: 'microsoft'
            source_repo: 'https://packages.microsoft.com/repos/code'
            source_name: 'vscode'

Troubleshooting

# Common APT issues
sudo apt update                  # Refresh package lists
sudo apt --fix-broken install   # Fix dependency issues
sudo dpkg --configure -a        # Configure incomplete packages

DNF (Dandified YUM)

Primary - Fedora, RHEL 8+, CentOS Stream

Overview

  • Distributions: Fedora, RHEL, CentOS Stream, Rocky Linux, AlmaLinux
  • Package Format: .rpm files
  • Repository: Official and EPEL repositories
  • Features: Parallel downloads, dependency solving

Usage

# System package installation
devex install git                # dnf install git
devex install nodejs             # dnf install nodejs
devex install python3-pip        # dnf install python3-pip

# Repository management
devex install rpmfusion-free     # Enables RPM Fusion repository
devex install code               # Adds Microsoft repository

Repository Management

# EPEL repository (Enterprise Linux)
sudo dnf install epel-release    # Enable EPEL

# RPM Fusion (multimedia codecs)
sudo dnf install rpmfusion-free-release rpmfusion-nonfree-release

Performance Optimization

# Enable parallel downloads
echo 'max_parallel_downloads=10' | sudo tee -a /etc/dnf/dnf.conf
echo 'fastestmirror=True' | sudo tee -a /etc/dnf/dnf.conf

Pacman

Primary - Arch Linux and derivatives

Overview

  • Distributions: Arch Linux, Manjaro, EndeavourOS, ArcoLinux
  • Package Format: .pkg.tar.xz files
  • Repository: Official Arch repositories
  • Philosophy: Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS)

Usage

# System package installation
devex install git                # pacman -S git
devex install nodejs             # pacman -S nodejs
devex install python-pip         # pacman -S python-pip

# System update
sudo pacman -Syu                 # Update entire system

AUR Integration

DevEx automatically uses AUR helpers when available:

# AUR helper installation (yay)
devex install yay                # Install AUR helper

# AUR package installation
devex install visual-studio-code-bin    # Uses yay if available
devex install spotify                   # AUR package

Flatpak (Universal Linux)

Universal - Cross-distribution application platform

Overview

  • Purpose: Sandboxed application distribution
  • Platforms: Most modern Linux distributions
  • Repository: Flathub (primary), distribution-specific
  • Benefits: Consistent runtime, security sandboxing

Usage

# Application installation
devex install org.gimp.GIMP             # GIMP image editor
devex install com.spotify.Client        # Spotify music
devex install org.blender.Blender       # Blender 3D

# System integration
flatpak update                   # Update all Flatpak apps
flatpak list                     # List installed apps

Configuration

# Add Flathub repository (usually pre-configured)
flatpak remote-add --if-not-exists flathub https://flathub.org/repo/flathub.flatpakrepo

# Permissions management
flatpak permissions              # View app permissions
flatpak permission-reset org.gimp.GIMP  # Reset app permissions

Snap (Ubuntu Universal)

Ubuntu-focused - Universal packages with automatic updates

Overview

  • Primary Platform: Ubuntu (pre-installed)
  • Other Platforms: Available on most distributions
  • Benefits: Automatic updates, rollback capability
  • Confinement: Strict, classic, or devmode

Usage

# Application installation
devex install code --classic            # VS Code (classic snap)
devex install discord                   # Discord (strict snap)
devex install blender                   # Blender 3D

# Snap management
snap list                        # List installed snaps
snap refresh                     # Update all snaps
snap revert code                 # Rollback to previous version

Snap Types

  • Strict: Fully confined, limited system access
  • Classic: Full system access, like traditional packages
  • Devmode: Developer mode, unrestricted access

macOS Package Managers

Homebrew

Primary - The missing package manager for macOS

Overview

  • Type: Command-line and GUI application installer
  • Packages: 6,000+ formulae (CLI tools) and 4,000+ casks (GUI apps)
  • Installation: Automatically set up by DevEx if needed
  • Update: Regular updates via brew update && brew upgrade

Package Types

Formulae (CLI Tools):

# Command-line tools
devex install git                # Git version control
devex install nodejs            # Node.js runtime
devex install python            # Python interpreter
devex install wget              # Web downloader

Casks (GUI Applications):

# GUI applications
devex install --cask visual-studio-code    # VS Code
devex install --cask google-chrome         # Chrome browser
devex install --cask docker                # Docker Desktop
devex install --cask figma                 # Figma design tool

Homebrew Management

# Maintenance commands
brew doctor                      # Check for issues
brew cleanup                     # Remove old versions
brew services list               # List running services

Mac App Store (mas-cli)

Limited - Requires Apple ID authentication

Overview

  • Purpose: Install Mac App Store applications via CLI
  • Requirement: Apple ID account and authentication
  • Limitations: Only apps available in Mac App Store
  • Installation: brew install mas

Usage

# Authentication required
mas signin apple-id@example.com

# App installation by ID
mas install 497799835            # Xcode
mas install 1295203466           # Microsoft Remote Desktop
mas install 409183694            # Keynote

# App management
mas list                         # List installed apps
mas outdated                     # Check for updates
mas upgrade                      # Update all apps

Specialized Installers

Zypper (openSUSE)

Beta - openSUSE and SUSE Linux Enterprise

Overview

  • Distributions: openSUSE Leap, Tumbleweed, SUSE Linux Enterprise
  • Package Format: .rpm files
  • Features: Pattern-based installation, rollback support
  • Repository: Official openSUSE repositories

Usage

# Package installation
devex install git                # zypper install git
devex install nodejs             # zypper install nodejs
devex install python3-pip        # zypper install python3-pip

# Pattern installation
sudo zypper install -t pattern devel_basis    # Development tools

Yay (AUR Helper)

Arch-specific - Yet Another Yaourt replacement

Overview

  • Purpose: Arch User Repository (AUR) package installation
  • Distribution: Arch Linux and derivatives
  • Features: Pacman wrapper with AUR support
  • Installation: Available via DevEx on Arch systems

Usage

# AUR package installation
devex install visual-studio-code-bin    # VS Code from AUR
devex install spotify                   # Spotify from AUR
devex install google-chrome             # Chrome from AUR

# Combined official and AUR search
yay -Ss search-term             # Search both repos
yay -Syu                        # Update system and AUR packages

Additional Package Managers

APK (Alpine Package Keeper)

  • Distribution: Alpine Linux
  • Use Case: Container and lightweight systems
  • Status: Beta support

Emerge (Portage)

  • Distribution: Gentoo Linux
  • Type: Source-based package manager
  • Status: Community support

XBPS (X Binary Package System)

  • Distribution: Void Linux
  • Features: Fast dependency resolution
  • Status: Community support

Eopkg

  • Distribution: Solus
  • Features: Modern package manager design
  • Status: Community support

Installation Methods

Package Manager Priority

DevEx automatically selects the best package manager based on:

  1. Platform detection (OS and distribution)
  2. Package availability in each manager
  3. Official support vs community packages
  4. Installation permissions required
  5. Update mechanisms available

Override Methods

Force specific installation methods:

# Force specific package manager
devex install --method=apt git          # Force APT
devex install --method=flatpak gimp     # Force Flatpak
devex install --method=brew node        # Force Homebrew

# Multiple methods for testing
devex install --method=apt,flatpak,snap firefox

Dry Run Mode

Test installations without making changes:

# Preview installation actions
devex install --dry-run                 # Show what would be installed
devex install --dry-run --verbose       # Detailed installation plan
devex install --dry-run git docker      # Test specific packages

Best Practices

Security

  1. Verify package sources before installation
  2. Use official repositories when available
  3. Keep systems updated regularly
  4. Review permissions for sandboxed apps

Performance

  1. Use native package managers for better integration
  2. Enable parallel downloads where supported
  3. Clean up old packages regularly
  4. Monitor disk usage for large applications

Maintenance

  1. Regular updates via DevEx or package managers
  2. Remove unused packages to free space
  3. Check for security updates frequently
  4. Backup configurations before major changes

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Package Not Found

# Update package lists
devex status --refresh-repos
sudo apt update                  # APT
sudo dnf makecache              # DNF
sudo pacman -Sy                 # Pacman

Permission Denied

# Check sudo permissions
sudo -v                         # Validate sudo access

# Fix package manager permissions
sudo chown -R $(whoami) $(brew --prefix)/*  # Homebrew
sudo usermod -aG docker $USER              # Docker group

Dependency Conflicts

# Fix dependency issues
sudo apt --fix-broken install   # APT
sudo dnf distro-sync           # DNF
sudo pacman -Syu               # Pacman (full update)

Platform-Specific Troubleshooting

Linux

  • Check distribution detection: devex status --verbose
  • Verify package manager availability: which apt/dnf/pacman
  • Review system logs: journalctl -xe

macOS

  • Homebrew doctor: brew doctor
  • Xcode CLI tools: xcode-select --install
  • Permission issues: sudo chown -R $(whoami) $(brew --prefix)/*

Contributing

Help improve installer support:

  1. Test installers on your platform and report issues
  2. Submit new installer implementations for additional package managers
  3. Improve error handling and user experience
  4. Document platform-specific quirks and solutions

See our contribution guide for details on adding new installers.

Windows Support

Windows support roadmap, current status, and planned features for DevEx

Getting Started with DevEx

Complete beginner's guide to setting up your development environment with DevEx

On this page

Installer ReferenceCross-Platform Installersmise (Programming Language Manager)OverviewUsageConfigurationBenefitscurlpipe (Direct Downloads)OverviewUsageSecurity FeaturesCommon Use Casespip (Python Package Manager)OverviewUsageBest Practicesdocker (Container Platform)OverviewPlatform-Specific InstallationService ValidationLinux Package ManagersAPT (Advanced Package Tool)OverviewFeaturesAPT Source ManagementTroubleshootingDNF (Dandified YUM)OverviewUsageRepository ManagementPerformance OptimizationPacmanOverviewUsageAUR IntegrationFlatpak (Universal Linux)OverviewUsageConfigurationSnap (Ubuntu Universal)OverviewUsageSnap TypesmacOS Package ManagersHomebrewOverviewPackage TypesHomebrew ManagementMac App Store (mas-cli)OverviewUsageSpecialized InstallersZypper (openSUSE)OverviewUsageYay (AUR Helper)OverviewUsageAdditional Package ManagersAPK (Alpine Package Keeper)Emerge (Portage)XBPS (X Binary Package System)EopkgInstallation MethodsPackage Manager PriorityOverride MethodsDry Run ModeBest PracticesSecurityPerformanceMaintenanceTroubleshootingCommon IssuesPackage Not FoundPermission DeniedDependency ConflictsPlatform-Specific TroubleshootingLinuxmacOSContributing