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Package Management

Calculinux uses opkg (Open Package Management) for installing, updating, and removing software packages.

Understanding Package Feeds

Calculinux packages are hosted on package feeds at https://opkg.calculinux.org/. Your system is automatically configured to use the appropriate feed based on your installed version. You typically don't need to modify the feed configuration.

Feed Types

Continuous Feed: Rolling release packages with the latest updates - URL format: https://opkg.calculinux.org/ipk/{codename}/continuous/ - Updated automatically as changes are made - Best for staying current with development - May include experimental features - Used by main and develop branch builds

Release Feed: Stable versioned packages - URL format: https://opkg.calculinux.org/ipk/{codename}/release/ - Locked to specific release versions - Thoroughly tested before release - Recommended for production use - Used by tagged releases (e.g., v1.0.0)

Which Feed Am I Using?

Check your current feed configuration:

cat /etc/opkg/base-feeds.conf

Example output for a continuous build: 

src/gz all https://opkg.calculinux.org/ipk/walnascar/continuous/all
src/gz cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4 https://opkg.calculinux.org/ipk/walnascar/continuous/cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4
src/gz luckfox_lyra https://opkg.calculinux.org/ipk/walnascar/continuous/luckfox_lyra

The feed configuration is set during the image build process and matches the image type: - Images from main branch → walnascar/continuous feed - Images from develop branch → develop/continuous feed
- Images from tagged releases → walnascar/release feed

Basic Commands

Updating Package Lists

Before installing or updating packages, refresh the package list:

opkg update

Installing Packages

Install a package:

opkg install <package-name>

Example: 

opkg install vim

Removing Packages

Remove a package:

opkg remove <package-name>

Remove a package and its configuration files:

opkg remove --force-removal-of-dependent-packages <package-name>

Searching for Packages

Search for available packages:

opkg list | grep <search-term>

Example: 

opkg list | grep python

Search for installed packages:

opkg list-installed | grep <search-term>

Viewing Package Information

Get information about a package:

opkg info <package-name>

List files in an installed package:

opkg files <package-name>

Updating Packages

Update all installed packages:

opkg update
opkg upgrade

Update a specific package:

opkg update
opkg upgrade <package-name>

Advanced Usage

Installing from a File

Install a .ipk package file directly:

opkg install /path/to/package.ipk

Listing Available Packages

List all available packages:

opkg list

List all installed packages:

opkg list-installed

List upgradeable packages:

opkg list-upgradable

Finding Which Package Provides a File

opkg search <filename>

Example: 

opkg search /usr/bin/python3

Package Dependencies

View package dependencies:

opkg depends <package-name>

View reverse dependencies (what depends on this package):

opkg whatdepends <package-name>

Feed Configuration

Automatic Configuration

Package feeds are automatically configured during image creation. You typically don't need to change feed configuration unless you're testing different package versions or have specific advanced requirements.

Switching Feeds (Advanced)

Advanced Users Only

Switching feeds may cause package version conflicts and is only recommended for testing or specific use cases. Most users should use the pre-configured feed that came with their image.

To switch from continuous to release feed, edit /etc/opkg/base-feeds.conf:

# Backup current configuration
cp /etc/opkg/base-feeds.conf /etc/opkg/base-feeds.conf.backup

# Edit feed URLs
vi /etc/opkg/base-feeds.conf

Change continuous to release in all URLs (or vice versa):

src/gz all https://opkg.calculinux.org/ipk/walnascar/release/all
src/gz cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4 https://opkg.calculinux.org/ipk/walnascar/release/cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4
src/gz luckfox_lyra https://opkg.calculinux.org/ipk/walnascar/release/luckfox_lyra

Then update:

opkg update

Persistence

Changes to /etc/opkg/base-feeds.conf persist across reboots because Calculinux uses overlayfs - your changes are stored in the upper (writable) layer.

Adding Custom Feeds

To add a custom package feed:

echo "src/gz custom-feed https://example.com/ipk/all" >> /etc/opkg/custom-feeds.conf
opkg update

Development vs. Stable Codenames

Different Calculinux versions use different distribution codenames in their feed URLs:

  • walnascar: Stable releases and main branch continuous builds
  • Example: https://opkg.calculinux.org/ipk/walnascar/continuous/

  • Example: https://opkg.calculinux.org/ipk/walnascar/release/

  • develop: Development branch builds (bleeding-edge features)

  • Example: https://opkg.calculinux.org/ipk/develop/continuous/

Codename Compatibility

Switching between different codenames (e.g., walnascar ↔ develop) may cause significant package compatibility issues. This is not recommended except for advanced testing scenarios. If you want bleeding-edge packages, it's better to flash a new develop branch image rather than switching feeds.

Common Tasks

Installing Development Tools

opkg update
opkg install gcc g++ make git

Installing Python Packages

opkg update
opkg install python3 python3-pip

Installing Networking Tools

opkg update
opkg install curl wget netcat iproute2

Cleaning Package Cache

Free up disk space by removing downloaded package files:

rm -rf /var/cache/opkg/*

Troubleshooting

Package Installation Fails

If a package fails to install:

  1. Update package lists: 

    opkg update

  2. Check available space: 

    df -h

  3. Check error message for missing dependencies: 

    opkg install --force-depends <package-name>

Repository Connection Issues

If you can't connect to the package feeds:

  1. Check network connectivity: 

    ping opkg.calculinux.org

  2. Verify feed URLs: 

    cat /etc/opkg/base-feeds.conf

  3. Try updating manually: 

    opkg update --verbosity=3

Version Conflicts

If you encounter version conflicts:

# Force reinstallation
opkg install --force-reinstall <package-name>

# Force downgrade
opkg install --force-downgrade <package-name>

Broken Packages

To fix broken package installations:

# Remove partially installed package
opkg remove --force-remove <package-name>

# Reinstall
opkg update
opkg install <package-name>

Package Feed Structure

Calculinux package feeds are organized by architecture:

  • all: Architecture-independent packages
  • cortexa7t2hf-neon-vfpv4: ARM Cortex-A7 optimized packages
  • luckfox_lyra: Board-specific packages for Luckfox Lyra

Your system automatically uses packages from all relevant feeds.

Best Practices

  1. Always update before installing: Run opkg update before opkg install
  2. Regular updates: Keep your system updated with opkg update && opkg upgrade
  3. Check dependencies: Use opkg info to check dependencies before installing
  4. Backup configurations: Keep backups of important config files before major updates
  5. Use stable feeds for production: Stick to release feeds for production devices
  6. Test on continuous feeds: Use continuous feeds for testing new features

Comparison with Other Package Managers

If you're coming from other Linux distributions:

Opkg APT (Debian/Ubuntu) DNF (Fedora)
opkg update apt update dnf check-update
opkg install apt install dnf install
opkg remove apt remove dnf remove
opkg list apt list dnf list
opkg upgrade apt upgrade dnf upgrade

See Also