Manage Software

In this guide, you’ll master software management on CentOS Stream 8 using DNF—the modern package manager. Whether you’re installing web servers, managing repositories, or cleaning up unused dependencies, DNF provides a consistent CLI. If you’re on an older CentOS release without DNF, substitute yum for dnf in the examples below (for instance, use sudo yum install nginx).

CentOS Stream 8 uses DNF by default. For legacy CentOS 7 or earlier, replace dnf with yum in all commands.

Software Repositories

A software repository is a server that hosts packages—programs, libraries, configurations, and more. CentOS Stream 8 includes several repositories out of the box.

Listing Enabled Repositories

sudo dnf repolist

Output:

repo id      repo name
appstream    CentOS Stream 8 - AppStream
baseos       CentOS Stream 8 - BaseOS
extras       CentOS Stream 8 - Extras

Viewing Detailed Repository Information

Add the -v (verbose) flag to see package counts, base URLs, mirror lists, and more:

sudo dnf repolist -v

Listing All Repositories (Enabled & Disabled)

sudo dnf repolist --all

Sample output:

repo id        repo name                                    status
powertools     CentOS Stream 8 - PowerTools                disabled
media-appstream CentOS Stream 8 - Media - AppStream         disabled
...

Enabling or Disabling Optional Repositories

sudo dnf config-manager --enable powertools
sudo dnf config-manager --disable powertools

Adding a Third-Party Repository

To install packages not found in official repos, add a third-party repository:

Third-party repositories can introduce unverified software. Only add trusted sources.

sudo dnf config-manager --add-repo https://download.docker.com/linux/centos/docker-ce.repo

To remove it later, delete its .repo file (find the path via dnf repolist -v).

Searching and Installing Packages

When you’re unsure of a package name, use:

sudo dnf search web server

To search for the exact phrase:

sudo dnf search 'web server'

Viewing Package Details

sudo dnf info nginx

Sample fields:

Name, Version, Release
Architecture
Repository
Summary, License, Description

Common DNF Commands

Command	Description
`sudo dnf search <term>`	Search package names and descriptions
`sudo dnf info <package>`	Display detailed package metadata
`sudo dnf install <package>`	Install a package
`sudo dnf remove <package>`	Uninstall a package
`sudo dnf reinstall <package>`	Reinstall (restore) an existing package
`sudo dnf autoremove`	Remove dependencies no longer required
`sudo dnf history`	Show DNF transaction history

Installing, Reinstalling, and Removing Packages

Install a Package

sudo dnf install nginx

Confirm with y when prompted.

Reinstall a Package

Restores missing or corrupted files:

sudo dnf reinstall nginx

Remove a Package

sudo dnf remove nginx

You can specify full name/version/arch (e.g., libcurl-7.61.1-22.el8.x86_64) or just libcurl.

Managing Package Groups

DNF groups bundle related packages (e.g., a desktop environment).

List Groups

sudo dnf group list

Install an Environment Group

sudo dnf group install 'Server with GUI'

Include optional packages:

sudo dnf group install --with-optional 'Server with GUI'

Remove a Group

sudo dnf group remove 'Server with GUI'

Show Hidden Groups

sudo dnf group list --hidden

Installing Local RPMs

Download an RPM:

wget https://download.nomachine.com/download/7.7/Linux/nomachine_7.7.4_1_x86_64.rpm

Install it:

sudo dnf install ./nomachine_7.7.4_1_x86_64.rpm

Remove it:

sudo dnf remove nomachine

Cleanup and Transaction History

Remove orphaned dependencies:
sudo dnf autoremove
View transaction history:
sudo dnf history

Shell Completion Tips

Type dnf and press Tab twice. Confirm with y to list all commands and subcommands.

Introduction

Operation of Running Systems

User and Group Management

Essential Commands

Software Repositories

Listing Enabled Repositories

Viewing Detailed Repository Information

Listing All Repositories (Enabled & Disabled)

Enabling or Disabling Optional Repositories

Adding a Third-Party Repository

Searching and Installing Packages

Viewing Package Details

Common DNF Commands

Installing, Reinstalling, and Removing Packages

Install a Package

Reinstall a Package

Remove a Package

Managing Package Groups

List Groups

Install an Environment Group

Remove a Group

Show Hidden Groups

Installing Local RPMs

Cleanup and Transaction History

Shell Completion Tips

References

Watch Video

​Software Repositories

​Listing Enabled Repositories

​Viewing Detailed Repository Information

​Listing All Repositories (Enabled & Disabled)

​Enabling or Disabling Optional Repositories

​Adding a Third-Party Repository

​Searching and Installing Packages

​Viewing Package Details

​Common DNF Commands

​Installing, Reinstalling, and Removing Packages

​Install a Package

​Reinstall a Package

​Remove a Package

​Managing Package Groups

​List Groups

​Install an Environment Group

​Remove a Group

​Show Hidden Groups

​Installing Local RPMs

​Cleanup and Transaction History

​Shell Completion Tips

​References

Watch Video

Software Repositories

Listing Enabled Repositories

Viewing Detailed Repository Information

Listing All Repositories (Enabled & Disabled)

Enabling or Disabling Optional Repositories

Adding a Third-Party Repository

Searching and Installing Packages

Viewing Package Details

Common DNF Commands

Installing, Reinstalling, and Removing Packages

Install a Package

Reinstall a Package

Remove a Package

Managing Package Groups

List Groups

Install an Environment Group

Remove a Group

Show Hidden Groups

Installing Local RPMs

Cleanup and Transaction History

Shell Completion Tips

References