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Linux updatedb Guide

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Mattscreative edited this page Dec 5, 2025 · 2 revisions

Linux updatedb Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to updatedb on Linux, covering Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions including updating locate database, database configuration, and search index management.

Table of Contents

  1. Understanding updatedb
  2. updatedb Basics
  3. Database Configuration
  4. Scheduled Updates
  5. Troubleshooting

Understanding updatedb

What is updatedb?

updatedb updates locate database.

Uses:

  • Update database: Refresh file index
  • Rebuild index: Recreate search database
  • Maintain search: Keep locate working
  • System maintenance: Maintain file index

Why it matters:

  • Search accuracy: Keep search current
  • New files: Index new files
  • System maintenance: Regular updates needed

updatedb Basics

Update Database

Basic usage:

# Update database
sudo updatedb

# Rebuilds locate database

Verbose Output

Show progress:

# Verbose mode
sudo updatedb -v

# -v = verbose (shows progress)

Database Configuration

Configuration File

Edit config:

# Edit config
sudo vim /etc/updatedb.conf

# Configure paths to index

Exclude Paths

Skip directories:

# In /etc/updatedb.conf
PRUNEPATHS="/tmp /var/tmp /var/cache"
PRUNEFS="NFS nfs nfs4"

⏰ Scheduled Updates

Automatic Updates

Systemd timer:

# Check timer
systemctl status updatedb.timer

# Enable timer
sudo systemctl enable updatedb.timer

Manual Update

Force update:

# Update now
sudo updatedb

# Or via systemd
sudo systemctl start updatedb.service

Troubleshooting

updatedb Errors

Check permissions:

# Verify sudo access
sudo -v

# Check database location
ls -la /var/lib/mlocate/

Summary

This guide covered updatedb usage, database updates, and configuration for Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions.

Next Steps

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

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