Orphaned Snap Packages Remover

Description

Removes orphaned snap packages unless they are default providers or bases; also removes disabled snaps.

How it works

1. The script uses snap connections to find all snap packages that have no connections (i.e. are orphaned).
2. It filters out themes and slot-based connections.
3. It extracts the package names from the output and stores them in the orphan variable.
4. It checks if any of the orphaned packages are default providers for other packages by parsing the snap.yaml files.
5. If an orphaned package is a default provider, it will not be removed.
6. Otherwise, the script will remove the orphaned package using elevated privileges (sudo/doas).

Installation

Install via Debian package:

sudo dpkg -i orphand-snaps_*.deb

The installation:

• Creates the systemd service and weekly timer (automatically enabled)
• Prepares the state directory /var/lib/orphand-snaps/ for tracking removed snaps
• Installs the man page

Usage

Automatic Cleanup (via systemd timer)

Once installed, a weekly timer runs the cleanup automatically every 7 days.

Manual Cleanup

Run directly:

orphand-snaps

When run as a non-root user, the script will use elevated privileges (sudo/doas) automatically.

To override the elevation method:

OVERRIDE_ELEVATION=doas orphand-snaps

`

Undo (Restore Removed Snaps)

The last run records removed snaps to:

• State file: /var/lib/orphand-snaps/last_removed.txt

Usage

List snaps removed in the last run:

orphand-snaps undo

Restore a single snap:

orphand-snaps undo SNAPNAME

Restore all snaps removed in the last run:

orphand-snaps undo all

Uninstallation

To uninstall the package and clean up:

sudo apt remove orphand-snaps

This will:

• Disable and remove the systemd timer and service
• Keep the state file for reference (see sudo dpkg --purge orphand-snaps to also remove it)

To completely remove all data:

sudo dpkg --purge orphand-snaps

Notes

• Be careful when running this script, as it will permanently remove packages without prompting for confirmation.
• The script requires snapd to be installed.
• Elevated privileges (sudo or doas) are required for snap removal operations when running as a non-root user.