"AM" 9.5

Improved support and extensibility with third-party databases

Third-party database support has never been so extensive, free and secure!

Read to the end, you'll see some great things!

---

-i or install

It will now be possible to install multiple applications "per family" from supported external databases (in the example, SoarPKGS (ex Toolpacks):

simplescreenrecorder-2025-02-21_02.29.24.mp4

...a security check has also been added to check whether applications are actually available online

---

flags and extensions

Each third-party database will have its own dedicated flag and list.

The flag is unique for each database, you cannot install applications from different databases if it is in use.

For BASH/ZSH/FISH completion, program names with and without extension are available

---

-a or about

If applications are detected from third-party databases but not installed, it will notify that an extension is needed. On the contrary, for those installed the info will report the need for an extension to see the details. All details:

The variants and their number will also be listed, as well as details on the installed binary.

---

-l or list

The usage of the flag or the extension is suggested in the description of the app in -l

---

-q or query

Third-party flags have been removed from -q, but can be used as a keyword after the --all flag. A hint has also been added in case there are no search results.

EXTENSIVENESS

If you thought that the existing databases were too ingrained, well... you were right.

This release has undergone a deep refactoring that reduces the addition of third-party databases... to just three lines.

Below are the existing ones (from APP-MANAGER):

#################################
#	APPBUNDLEHUB		
#################################
export appbundle_repo="https://github.com/xplshn/AppBundleHUB"
#export appbundle_readme="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/xplshn/dbin-metadata/master/misc/cmd/AM-support/AM.txt"
#[ -n "$appbundle_readme" ] && third_party_flags="$third_party_flags --appbundle"

#################################
#	TOOLPACKS/SOARPKGS
#################################
export toolpack_repo="https://github.com/pkgforge/soarpkgs (ex toolpacks)"
export toolpack_readme="https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ivan-hc/am-extras/main/soarpkgs-toolpacks/${ARCH}.md"
[ -n "$toolpack_readme" ] && third_party_flags="$third_party_flags --toolpack"

export toolpack_missing_file_msg="\nIt appears that the selected file is not available.\n\nThis happens due to pkgforge's mirror Issue.\nLearn more: https://docs.pkgforge.dev/repositories/bincache/cache\n\nAlternatively, install \"soar\" or \"dbin\" and use those.\n\n"

#################################
#	ALL THE ABOVE
#################################
third_party_lists="appbundle toolpack"

It is enough to set $yourflagname_repo, $yourflagname_readme and then add a flag in $third_party_flags

As you can see from the code and while I write, AppBundleHUB is currently down, as it is undergoing maintenance... it will be up as soon as the list is restored.

To ensure the security and up-to-dateness of the lists, they will be published at https://github.com/ivan-hc/am-extras

In the modules you will not find functions dedicated to Toolpacks or AppbundleHUB (for the latter only the checks for "AppBundle" as a packaging format are left, to have a dedicated installation script)... but you will find all the functions and references related to third-party flags and extensions concentrated in one place, and without ever mentioning the third-party database.

Example, option -h or help

Here's how easy it is to add a new flag or extension to AM, this is what will happen to AppBundleHUB when it's ready:

simplescreenrecorder-2025-02-21_03.52.25.mp4

To AppBundle users

Already installed apps will show up as coming from Toolpacks, due to the old identification method.

New installations will have their own flag and list.

The same will be true for all future third-party databases that may be added in the future.

---

Conclusions

With the renewed support for Toolpacks, the available applications have almost doubled, especially now that they are available in groups of families.

I invite you to also take a look at the following package managers, without whose developers, such a quantity of software would not be possible:

• DBIN https://github.com/xplshn/dbin
• SOAR https://github.com/pkgforge/soarpkgs

...I hope you like this release!

What's Changed

• "AM" 9.5 - Rewrite of third-party databases support by @ivan-hc in #1358

Full Changelog: 9.4.4...9.5

"AM" 9.4.4

Hide installed apps

Do you have any installed applications that you would rather keep the version so much that you don't even want to list them in -f? Do you want to hide any installed applications from the reach of "AM"/"AppMan"?

This release brings with it two new options:

• hide, to prevent your CLI from seeing, listing, updating and managing the selected apps
• unhide, to reverse hide

In this video I will hide two system-wide installed apps and two locally installed apps

simplescreenrecorder-2025-02-14_09.14.17.mp4

This can also help if you have a lot of fixed version apps (in my case baobab-gtk3 and system-monitor-gtk3) and you want to limit updating them, calling github APIs unnecessarily.

There is already a lock option for this, yes, but if you don't need to list them, you can hide them now.

When you use the command

am hide $APP1 $APP2 $APP3

the remove script is renamed to remove.old, thus preventing the installed app from being identified as belonging to "AM"/"AppMan" and effectively making it a "system" or "independent" app.

You can however update it manually by running the related AM-updater script (if it exists) and remove it manually by running the remove.old script.

It has its uses, you may need to hide an application from view sometimes.

---

What's Changed

• Improve Test random 💯 by @zen0bit in #1326 #1329 #1330
• Remove workaround in nolibfusesince the appimagetool PR was merged by @Samueru-sama in #1335
• Update management.am, option "nolibfuse", if the command "appimagetool" exists, don't download the Appimage again, by @ivan-hc in #1338
• gittyup: Add version 1.4.0 by @FlawlessCasual17 in #1339
• Update & rename gnome-system-monitor3 to system-monitor-gtk3 by @ivan-hc in #1346
• "AM" 9.4.4 - Add options "hide" and "unhide" by @ivan-hc in #1347

New Contributors

• @FlawlessCasual17 made their first contribution in #1339

Full Changelog: 9.4.3...9.4.4

"AM" 9.4.3

Fix TOR usage where it was prevented

This release allows the end user to verify if app updates from github.com were actually successful, given the API limitations.

During the update, a green message will remind you that you need to restart the TOR service

...on classic GNU/Linux distros with systemd run sudo systemctl restart tor.service to fix the issue.

---

Use of torsocks with appimageupdatetool

Another issue has been fixed, regarding the coexistence between torsocks and appimageupdatetool. The configuration file for Torsocks will be copied locally and configured on the fly to be used during the process, before being removed.

For more details, see AppImageCommunity/AppImageUpdate#244

---

Among other changes

• fixed some bugs in database.am module
• improved speed of -l and -q options
• option -a gained processing time
• expanded text margins in -l, -q and -a

---

Website

Icons on pages now load "lazily", allowing for faster and more painless navigation.

To try it out https://portable-linux-apps.github.io/apps

---

What's Changed

Full Changelog: 9.4.2...9.4.3

"AM" 9.4.2

Add support for FISH-shell autocompletion

First major release of 2025, after exactly one month from the previous one.

As title says, BASH completion has been extended not only to ZSH, but also to FISH. Users of the latter will be able to benefit from it through the appropriate file automatically created in the ~/.config/fish directory.

See #1300 for more.

---

Among other changes

• -f option, versions locked with the lock option will have a 🔒 next to the version number
• added a -fi option to show only installed apps and not also those integrated with --launcher (already shown in the normal -f)
• added an automated action system in github actions to keep in sync the AppImages lists with the apps lists and to check for problematic scripts, so the review is now weekly if not daily, to ensure the correct functioning of the scripts needed to install the applications. Thanks @zen0bit
• securing third-party databases support, in case of any errors

Full Changelog: 9.4.1...9.4.2

"AM" 9.4.1

Customize/change the database by exporting variables

One thing I care a lot about is continuity, and as I have seen over the years, not all open source developers are able to maintain a project. This could happen to me in the future. I don't want it to be that way.

Because of this, I have made some essential variables "customizable":

• APPSDB, i.e. the "raw" directory of the architecture in use, containing the installation scripts (default value https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ivan-hc/AM/main/programs/$ARCH), this is mainly used in -i, -d and -s/-u
• APPSDBLIST, i.e. the list of applications available for that architecture (default value https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ivan-hc/AM/main/programs/$ARCH-apps), this is used every time lists are updated, for example in -l, -q and -s/-u
• APPIMAGES_LIST, i.e. the list of AppImages available in the database (default value https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Portable-Linux-Apps/Portable-Linux-Apps.github.io/main/x86_64-appimages), used in -ia and -l/-q with the --appimages flag
• AMCATALOGUEMARKDOWNS, i.e. the pages in .md format from the catalog of applications available in this database (default value https://portable-linux-apps.github.io/apps, add an appname with extension .md to see the content of one file), this is used in -a
• AMCATALOGUEICONS, i.e. the icons in .png format available in the catalog of applications available in this database (default value https://portable-linux-apps.github.io/icons, add an appname with extension .png to see one file), this is used in -i, in case the installation script fails to get an icon for the application
• AMSYNC, if set to "1" prevents AM from updating itself and updating modules when running -s or -u

it is enough to export the variables above and respect the destination file format (follow the URLs in parentheses) in case you decide to open a new community-driven database that can make up for the lack of support in this repository.

---

Motivation

I did this to not tie users to this database and to allow them to use AM and all its features if I, Ivan, am unable to intervene for any reason.

There are many discontinuous projects. Should this become one too, it will not be obsolete.

PS: consider this my Christmas present

---

What's Changed

• Add tutorial for BSD, freeBSD and derivative systems by @ivan-hc in #1235 and #1242
• "AM" 9.4.1 by @ivan-hc and @Samueru-sama in #1252

Full Changelog: 9.4...9.4.1

"AM" 9.4

Initial support for *BSD

This version of "AM" brings with it a refactoring that allows it to run on freeBSD and derivatives.

Please note that at the moment, "AM" supports the installation of portable applications for GNU/Linux only.

On BSD-based systems, it is necessary to perform the necessary configurations to allow both binary programs and AppImages to be executed, by installing the appropriate Linux compatibility layout.

There are several guides on this subject, the main one is https://docs.freebsd.org/en/books/handbook/linuxemu/

A simplification of the above guide, oriented to the use of debootstrap is also available here. Thanks to it, I was able to run some test AppImages on GhostBSD

google-chrome AppImage	brave AppImage	lxtask AppImage

Note that Chromium-based AppImages require the --no-sandbox flag.

---

All that glitters is not gold

Please note that "AM" is not responsible for the failure of programs, whether they are on Linux or BSD, and that all "AM" does is download and integrate/install programs into the system, taking them from the source.

In fact, this release allows you to use all aspects of "AM" on BSD, but the failure to run programs has nothing to do with "AM".

BSD systems require additional configuration to run programs written for Linux. In my experiments in virtual machines, I can't help but show failures. For example, running "Archimages" (Arch Linux containers inside Appimages) as in the screenshot below, with gimp and bottles

It's just a matter of configuring the right settings, following the guides.

---

Toolpacks on BSD

Several programs from the Toolpacks database appear to be BSD-compatible, as they are static binaries. To see a list and install them, see the --toolpack flag reference (command am -h for more information).

---

Future

This release is just an introduction to BSD support. Experts are encouraged to participate in improving this support on "AM".

There are two possible ways:

• add a directory to this database that contains only installation scripts for BSD-compatible programs. You can also select those that work in tests. At the moment, "AM" only has installation scripts for x86_64, aarch64 and i686 architectures on Linux. It would be nice to add another one that works for BSD https://github.com/ivan-hc/AM/tree/main/programs
• add a script that can automate the creation of a compatibility layout for Linux, based on the official guides, so as to allow, in a single command, the addition or removal of this support, a guide is available here https://github.com/ivan-hc/AM/blob/main/docs/guides-and-tutorials/bsd.md

---

Other changes

• less is now an "optional" dependency (but suggested in -h and -l) by @Samueru-sama
• fixed several bugs related to versioning
• removed other basic dependencies, such as strings by @Samueru-sama
• improved table generation speed in -f by @Samueru-sama
• better versioning for self-updating applications, through permission levels
• ported a good part of the code to POSIX by @Samueru-sama
• new functions to use and switch between sed on a per-implementation basis (default is GNU) by @Samueru-sama

---

What's Changed

• Beautify sandbox exit messages by @ivan-hc in #1192
• wrap long lines around by @Samueru-sama in #1193
• Option "-h" or "help", add instructions on how to test scripts downloaded ("-d") or created ("-t"). by @ivan-hc in #1196
• allow setting $SCRIPTDIR by @Samueru-sama in #1197
• Fix "$SCRIPTDIR" in sistems without XDG_DESKTOP_DIR by @ivan-hc in #1198
• only warn about namespaces check if unshare is present by @Samueru-sama in #1200
• simplify check for ${SUDO,DOAS}_USER by @Samueru-sama in #1202
• improve check for cpu arch by @Samueru-sama in #1203
• improve check for sudo by @Samueru-sama in #1204
• Various fixes between APP-MANAGER, INSTALL and AM-INSTALLER by @ivan-hc in #1205
• "AM" 9.4: support for FreeBSD by @ivan-hc & @Samueru-sama in #1209

Full Changelog: 9.3...9.4

"AM" 9.3

Install AppImages and Sandbox them... in one go!

This release allows sandboxing of AppImage packages while installing them via a flag for -i and -ia or a dedicated option.

---

Option -i or install, with flag --sandbox

The new flag is --sandbox, using it in combination with -i or install allows you to install also AppImage packages from local scripts, if you have created your own and also from your custom database or a third-party repo you use near the "AM" database (see the "AM" documentation for more information)

am -i --sandbox {PROGRAM}

or localy

am -i --user --sandbox {PROGRAM}
appman -i --sandbox {PROGRAM}

---

Option -ia or install-appimage, with flag --sandbox...

...while in combination with the -ia or install-appimage command it allows you to select and install only the AppImages present in the "AM" database (which as I write, are 2123, see portable-linux-apps.github.io/appimages)

am -ia --sandbox {PROGRAM}

or localy

am -ia --user --sandbox {PROGRAM}
appman -ia --sandbox {PROGRAM}

---

...and the new variant of -ia: the -ias option!

But to simplify things, you can replace -ia --sandbox with the new option -ias (aka Install AppImage & Sandbox)

am -ias {PROGRAM}

or localy

am -ias --user {PROGRAM}
appman -ias {PROGRAM}

See it in action!

simplescreenrecorder-2024-12-04_16.44.11.mkv.mp4

You will find all the documentation on how sandboxing works in the related guide.

---

Option --sandbox

As you may have guessed from the video above, from now on, AM users will be able to choose whether to install "Aisap" locally or system-wide.

Of course, make sure you already have an "appman-config" configuration file. If you don't have one, start any installation using the --user flag or start AM in "AppMan Mode" using the option --user. For more information, see am -h.

---

Option -f or files

The message indicating whether the AppImages are in a sandbox will only be displayed in tables that have the 🔒 symbol

...the aisap command will be checked first, regardless of whether it is present system-wide or locally.

Learn more about "Aisap" https://github.com/mgord9518/aisap

---

What's Changed

• simplify how to get path to appimage & use shell built in test by @Samueru-sama in #1174 and #1182
• Fix total size, by @Azathothas by @ivan-hc in #1185
• "AM" 9.3, allow enable sandoxing when installing AppImages by @ivan-hc in #1180

Full Changelog: 9.2...9.3

"AM" 9.2

Update and list portable AppImages scattered in your system!

This release introduces support for AppImage packages integrated with the --launcher option, and allows listing them with the -f option... but let's proceed in order.

Option -f or files

From today, AppImage packages integrated with the --launcher option will be visible in the list

They will be listed with the file name (in the screenshot above I renamed my AppImage of the game "0AD" (available at https://github.com/0ad-matters/0ad-appimage) to 0ad. The file path and its size are also shown.

The detection is done on the fly, so if, like me, you have an AppImage on an external partition that is not mounted, the size will not be calculated, and -f will detect that the path is not accessible.

I advise you to give a nice name to your AppImage... or you will end up like this

But that's not all I'm saying... what if you were to upgrade to a later version? The file name would still be the same, even though it's updated.

And speaking of updates... I know that's what you're here for, right? See below.

---

Option -u or update and option/flag --launcher

Added support for appimageupdatetool, which allows updating AppImage packages that include the information needed to update themselves via binary deltas.

Since people who normally use --launcher or AppImageLauncher or GearLever... or none of these tools except for the sole purpose of integrating them into the application menu... tend to keep multiple versions of an application... I thought it was not the case to integrate it directly into -u, so you can do it optionally

am -u --launcher

or

am --launcher -u

instead of -u you can use update... it depends on what suits you.

It is important that you install appimageupdatetool for this option to work.

simplescreenrecorder-2024-12-01_08.36.22.mkv.mp4

NOTE, I remind you that about 10% of AppImages support delta updates, so if you want to be sure to always have the latest version of all AppImages, rely on the installation options -ia or install-appimage and -e or extra... in addition to -i or install, which is for all portable programs, not just AppImages.

---

Various fixes

• the installation process checks if there is a "dead" symlink in $HOME/.local/bin with the same name as the topic you are installing, and removes it (since classic installations have the priority over --launcher)
• the detection of "dead" symlinks is more detailed and repetitive, and takes into account whether it is actually the case to remove them
• obsolete launchers and symlinks are re-detected both while running -c and with -f and -u...and with --launcher itself, while you start it... so you have more opportunities to clean them
• the --launcher option detects if a dead symlink or a command in $HOME/.local/bin already exists, and asks you if you want to overwrite it
• the "install.am" installation module has been revamped, preparing for new features planned for the next months
• the -u option has undergone a more thorough code cleanup and precise, new BASH functions have been added to improve interaction, depending on the commands in use
• the messages of end of installation or end of update are also visible if no app as been installed or only apps have been updated (command am -u --apps)
• many commands have been converted to POSIX

---

Conclusions

The --launcher option is a niche option, that I wrote inspired by any traditional AppImage package manager... and that I ended up using with really large packages that need to be kept on a dedicated partition.

Introducing this feature made me realize that AM can always go further. It all started with an issue, and in less than 24 hours this release came out. I wouldn't have expected it, at this time... if someone hadn't suggested it to me.

I'll continue to use AM as I intended, like APT or PacMan. There are options I've created that I like more or less... and I stress "even though I'm the creator"... and --launcher is one of my least favorites, because it reminds me of the early days, when none of the existing solutions satisfied me... but... damn. I really enjoyed working on it today.

---

What's Changed

• Update install.am, code refactoring by @ivan-hc in #1168
• Convert option "-ia"/"install-appimage" to a function under "-i" by @ivan-hc in #1169
• Update modules by @ivan-hc in #1170
• "AM" 9.2, improve support to local AppImages giving them updates support (appimageupdatetool) and a dedicated table in -f by @ivan-hc in #1172

Full Changelog: 9.1.3...9.2

"AM" 9.1.3

Full support for AppBundles from AppBundleHUB

This release sees the addition of a new database of third-party applications to the "AM" database: AppBundleHUB, and more precisely the programs in AppBundle format (see https://github.com/xplshn/pelf).

---

Programs in lists

Programs in lists will be listed with the extension ".dwfs.appbundle". For example, "ristretto.dwfs.appbundle" or "chromium-web-browser.dwfs.appbundle"

---

Option -l or list

As an exception, the list will be accessible using the existing --toolpack and --all flags. Here is the output with the --toolpack flag

...this is the only case where you will need to use a flag.

Since the list is still small, I preferred to merge them into a single list. The programs in AppBundle format (so with the extension ".dwfs.appbundle") will all come from AppBundleHUB.

---

Option -q or query

Unlike -l, programs in AppBundle format will be searchable normally (i.e. without flags) with the -q option, therefore alongside the applications in the "AM" database

...note the programs with the extension ".dwfs.appbundle", this will serve to distinguish them from those in the "AM" database.

---

Completion

The reason for adding these extensions is not only to distinguish them, but also to quickly list them using BASH/ZSH completion

simplescreenrecorder-2024-11-27_18.36.09.mkv.mp4

...you won't have to work too hard to distinguish them from the lists.

The listing is the only reason they have the extension... but the installation is a different thing. See the next paragraph.

---

-i or install option

No flag is needed, AppBundles will be installed only if followed by the extension ".dwfs.appbundle", and they will be installed WITHOUT EXTENSION

...and yes, the information in -a will also be reported in more detail. See next paragraph.

---

-a or about option

AppBundles will have the privilege to also show the "real" package name, whether they are installed or not

As with Toolpacks, apps from AppBundleHUB will see pages created on the fly, using the list provided by the owner of that database. Thanks @xplshn

A small aside, the -a option in general has also undergone major structural changes. Now the information will be displayed in a clearer and more pleasant way... assuming that the pages in use are up to date (I'm talking about the "AM" database, I need a hand with my catalog).

---

Option -f or files

Of course, the list of installed apps will also show that the apps come from a different database ("DB" column) and a new file type called "dwarfs-appbundle"

For those who don't know, AppBundles are POSIX scripts compressed with "DWARFS" and that contain the entire application. With a powerful enough text reader, you can read their content. They literally represent the statement "one application = one file".

To learn more about this topic, I invite you to visit the "Pelf" repository, at https://github.com/xplshn/pelf , a tool that can create this fantastic packaging format.

---

Conclusions

Portable programs are always welcome in "AM", no matter how many formats they are. As long as there is "AM" to distribute them, you will have no reason to complain about too many packaging formats.

Flatpak only supports .flatpak, Snap only supports .snap, APT only supports .deb... etc. etc.

"AM" is more inclusive. It accepts these diversities that are not tied to a package manager. An AUR helper does the same thing, but only for Arch Linux. Here instead we want to allow all GNU/Linux distributions to use the same programs according to their efficiency.

What does AppBundle have more than others? I know that it also works on Musl distributions, while many programs, and probably most of them... are written to work with GLIBC. And if you are an AppImage user, how many times have you tried to start a program that is not compatible with your version of GLIBC? Many of you will have surely received this type of error in the past.

Don't get me wrong, I love AppImages. I have 70 of them in my repositories.

With Archimages and similar I have tried to use Arch Linux containers inside AppImages, to provide recent programs that also work on old Linux systems, and precisely because they are portable containers. AppImage is also solving a lot of problems recently, and I invite you again to follow its developments, they are doing fantastic things recently. AppBundle instead was born already like this. It is still not very popular, but I firmly believe that it, like many other emerging realities, deserves due attention.

Let's give everyone a chance.

The beauty of Linux is precisely this: diversity!

---

What's Changed

• Added Programs by @Sush-ruta in #1153
• Add NixAppImage support by @ivan-hc in #1154
• update the ryujinx situation by @Samueru-sama in #1155
• add cromite by @Samueru-sama in #1158
• "AM" 9.1.3, full support for AppBundleHUB by @ivan-hc in #1160

Full Changelog: 9.1.2...9.1.3

"AM" 9.1.2

"Transparent" updates

For aesthetics, the output of the update process for applications is hidden and runs in the background... but from this release it is possible to extend the am -u command using the "--debug" flag, which will ensure that the messages are displayed.

USAGE

            am -u
            am -u --apps
            am -u --debug
            am -u --apps --debug
            am -u {PROGRAM}
            am -u --debug {PROGRAM}

The new --debug flag can then be used to update individual apps, just apps, or updating everything

simplescreenrecorder-2024-11-20_13.33.15.mkv.mp4

...you will be able to see how the applications are updated, and you will notice different systems, depending on the application installed.

Here is an example with appimageupdatetool installed, even though it has the same apps as the previous video

simplescreenrecorder-2024-11-20_07.28.34.mkv.mp4

As you may notice, the messages change, as some applications have update scripts that support multiple update standards, and which can override each other depending on the situation (for example, if the metadata is not present in the application, the classic version comparison update will be performed).

With this release, updates are no longer mysterious!

NOTE, Topgrade users will get the regular output as usual, without flags.

---

Among other changes

• -c option, improved cleaning of installed items via the --launcher option
• --launcher option, now applies the method used in the installation scripts to integrate launchers and icons from the AppImages you have scattered in the system, thanks @Samueru-sama for the tip
• fixed a bug in the -t option, where, having a Github key, if you created the installation scripts, it was written in the script, thanks @nazdridoy for reporting this

What's Changed

• change grep pattern to also recognize uruntime appimages by @Samueru-sama in #1129
• Added PICsimLab - Programmable IC Simulator Laboratory by @nazdridoy in #1135
• Fix e improve --launcher option and related functions by @ivan-hc in #1139
• [AppImage PR] Geeqie by @contrarybaton60 in #1142
• Use BINDIR instead of ~/.local/bin by @ivan-hc in #1143
• Makes --launcher extract icon and launcher like install scripts do by @ivan-hc in #1145
• Simplify function to run the AM-updater by @ivan-hc in #1147
• fix puddletag by @Samueru-sama in #1148
• AM 9.1.2, add flag support to option -u or update by @ivan-hc in #1149

Full Changelog: 9.1.1...9.1.2