On Debian-based distros, when an app is available as a DEB or an AppImage (that doesn’t self-update), but no APT repository, PPA or Flatpak, the only option is to manually download each update, and usually manually check even whether there are updates.

But, what if those would be upgraded at the same time as everything else using the tools you’re familiar with ?

dynapt is a local web server that fetches those DEBs (and AppImages to be wrapped into DEBs) wherever those are, then serves these to APT like any package repository does.

I started building it a few months ago, and after using it to upgrade apps on my computers and servers for some time, I pre-released it for the first time last week.

The stable version will come with a CLI wizard to avoid this manual configuration.

Feedback is welcome :)

  • JustARegularNerd@aussie.zoneEnglish
    7·
    3 months ago

    This might be for the better, but Discord was so infuriating about updates and forcing you to download them what felt like 50% of the time I opened it, I gave up and just use it in Ungoogled Chromium now. I’m pretty sure within a few months I ended up having 15+ debs of Discord in my Downloads folder.

    For anyone else trying to use the native Discord app on Debian, I think they’ll find this a major treat.

    • KaKi87OP
      5·
      3 months ago

      Discord not automating downloads of DEBs is one of the reasons motivating me to do this.

      Personally I need the desktop client because I mod it with plugins that are so useful that I can’t do without these anymore.

      Alternatively, there are third-party repositories here and here.

      There still is delay between Discord releases and repository updates so I still believe dynapt to be the better solution.

      • KaKi87OP
        5·
        3 months ago

        I didn’t know there was one, that’s interesting, thanks.

        Updates must still be delayed because of being third-party though.