paccache

Paccache is a command line tool used in Arch Linux and its derivatives to clean the package cache. The package cache is a collection of downloaded packages used by the package manager for installation or updates. Paccache helps to manage this cache by removing old or unused packages.

When executed without any options, paccache removes all but the three most recent versions of each package in the cache directory. It frees up disk space by deleting unnecessary old package versions that are no longer required. However, it never removes the currently installed version or the immediately previous version of a package.

Paccache also allows customization through various command line options. For example, the -r option removes all versions of uninstalled packages instead of keeping the latest three. It can also be used with the -k option to keep a certain number of versions for a package, overriding the default value of three.

In addition to cleaning the package cache, paccache can also display a summary of the disk space usage within the cache directory. This helps users identify the space occupied by packages and make informed decisions on what to remove.

Overall, paccache simplifies package cache management in Arch Linux, helping to maintain a healthy system and optimize disk space.