> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://notes.kodekloud.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Manage Software

> This guide covers software management on CentOS Stream 8 using DNF, including installation, repository management, and package handling.

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`).

<Callout icon="lightbulb" color="#1CB2FE">
  CentOS Stream 8 uses DNF by default. For legacy CentOS 7 or earlier, replace `dnf` with `yum` in all commands.
</Callout>

***

## 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

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf repolist
```

Output:

```text theme={null}
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:

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf repolist -v
```

### Listing All Repositories (Enabled & Disabled)

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf repolist --all
```

Sample output:

```text theme={null}
repo id        repo name                                    status
powertools     CentOS Stream 8 - PowerTools                disabled
media-appstream CentOS Stream 8 - Media - AppStream         disabled
...
```

### Enabling or Disabling Optional Repositories

```bash theme={null}
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:

<Callout icon="triangle-alert" color="#FF6B6B">
  Third-party repositories can introduce unverified software. Only add trusted sources.
</Callout>

```bash theme={null}
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:

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf search web server
```

To search for the exact phrase:

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf search 'web server'
```

### Viewing Package Details

```bash theme={null}
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

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf install nginx
```

Confirm with `y` when prompted.

### Reinstall a Package

Restores missing or corrupted files:

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf reinstall nginx
```

### Remove a Package

```bash theme={null}
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

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf group list
```

### Install an Environment Group

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf group install 'Server with GUI'
```

Include optional packages:

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf group install --with-optional 'Server with GUI'
```

### Remove a Group

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf group remove 'Server with GUI'
```

### Show Hidden Groups

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf group list --hidden
```

***

## Installing Local RPMs

Download an RPM:

```bash theme={null}
wget https://download.nomachine.com/download/7.7/Linux/nomachine_7.7.4_1_x86_64.rpm
```

Install it:

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf install ./nomachine_7.7.4_1_x86_64.rpm
```

Remove it:

```bash theme={null}
sudo dnf remove nomachine
```

***

## Cleanup and Transaction History

* **Remove orphaned dependencies**:
  ```bash theme={null}
  sudo dnf autoremove
  ```
* **View transaction history**:
  ```bash theme={null}
  sudo dnf history
  ```

***

## Shell Completion Tips

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

***

## References

* [DNF Documentation](https://dnf.readthedocs.io/en/latest/)
* [CentOS Stream 8 Official Docs](https://docs.centos.org/en-US/centos/stream/)

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