Linux Package Signing

Linux Package Signing Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to package signing on Linux, covering Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions including GPG keys, package verification, and signing configuration.

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Table of Contents

1. Understanding Package Signing
2. GPG Key Setup
3. Package Verification
4. Signing Packages
5. Troubleshooting

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Understanding Package Signing

What is Package Signing?

Package signing verifies package authenticity.

Benefits:

• Verify package integrity
• Prevent tampering
• Ensure authenticity

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GPG Key Setup

Initialize GPG

Setup GPG:

# Install GPG
sudo pacman -S gnupg

# Generate key
gpg --full-generate-key

# List keys
gpg --list-keys

Import Arch Keys

Import keys:

# Import Arch master keys
sudo pacman-key --init
sudo pacman-key --populate archlinux

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Package Verification

Verify Packages

Check signatures:

# Verify package
pacman -Qkk package-name

# Verify database
sudo pacman-key --verify

Check Keyring

Manage keyring:

# List keys
pacman-key --list-keys

# Refresh keys
sudo pacman-key --refresh-keys

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Signing Packages

Sign Package

Sign package:

# Sign package
gpg --detach-sign package.pkg.tar.zst

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Troubleshooting

Key Errors

Fix keys:

# Refresh keys
sudo pacman-key --refresh-keys

# Update keyring
sudo pacman-key --update

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Summary

This guide covered package signing for Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions, including GPG keys, verification, and signing.

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Next Steps

• Package Management - Package management
• Security Configuration - Security
• ArchWiki Package Signing: https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Pacman/Package_signing

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This guide covers Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other Linux distributions. For distribution-specific details, refer to your distribution's documentation.