Slapt

Slapt, commonly referred to as slapt-get, is a package management tool for Slackware Linux. It provides a higher-level, apt-like interface to manage Slackware packages from repositories and supports dependency resolution, multiple repositories, and bulk operations. It was developed by members of the Slackware community as an alternative to the base tooling (pkgtool, installpkg, upgradepkg), to simplify installation and maintenance of software from remote sources.

Core features include dependency resolution during install and upgrade, access to multiple online repositories, and both CLI and GUI front-ends (slapt-get for the command line, gslapt for graphical management). The CLI tool can refresh its package index, search for packages, install, upgrade, remove, and update installed packages. Slapt relies on Slackware's packaging format (tgz or txz) and integrates with the system's standard tools for actual installation.

Usage is typically: update the index, then install or upgrade. Users can manage packages from various repositories configured in a central slapt repository list. Slapt offers filtering by package name, version constraints, and architecture, and can handle complex dependency trees to ensure required libraries and components are installed.

Limitations include the dependence on third-party repositories for software beyond the Slackware core and ecosystem; repository quality and availability vary, and users must consider security and compatibility. Slapt remains one of several options for Slackware package management, alongside the native pkgtool and the gslapt GUI.

See also: Slackware, pkgtool, slapt-get, gslapt, SlackBuilds.org.