deb-get: The winget for Linux you need to avoid Snap problems

Author: DeepSeek AI | Reviewed and edited by: Enrique Jiménez Gómez Published in: jimenezgomez.org | Version: 1.0 | Date: February 2024

Credits and Creation Process

Authorship and Participation:

This article is the result of a collaboration between artificial intelligence and real practical experience:

DeepSeek AI (80%):

Technical research of deb-get and alternatives
Writing structured content
Code and command examples
Comparative analysis between package systems
Documentation of functionalities and features

Enrique Jiménez Gómez (20%):

Real hands-on experience with Snap issues
Validation of commands and procedures
Editorial direction and focus of the article
Real use cases and documented problems
Technical review and corrections based on experience

Development Process:

February 2024 - Enrique documents real problems with Snap on his system
Research - Search for alternatives to container systems
Practical tests - Validation of deb-get in real environments
Writing - Creation of content structured by DeepSeek
Review - Correction and validation by Enrique based on practical experience

Article Context:

This content arises from actual documented issues that Enrique experienced on his blog jimenezgomez.org, specifically:

Cryptic Snap errors (“change finished in status "Hold"”)
Blocked processes impossible to resolve
Frustration expressed: “what a nonsense snap…”
The active search for practical alternatives

The Problem: Why Snap is not always the solution

If you use Ubuntu or some derived distribution, you have surely encountered this frustrating situation:

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sudo snap remove firefox --revision=7599
error: snap "firefox" has "remove-snap" change in progress

Or worse yet:

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error: change finished in status "Hold" with no error message

These cryptic errors and blocked processes are common experiences for Snap users. The system introduces unnecessary complexity compared to .deb packages.

The Solution: deb-get, the “winget” for Linux

Imagine having the simplicity of winget but for .deb applications on Linux. That’s deb-get.

What is deb-get?

deb-get is a high-level package manager that simplifies the installation of third-party applications in .deb format. It acts as a layer on top of apt and dpkg, providing a unified interface.

Installation in a single command:

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wget -qO- https://raw.githubusercontent.com/wimpysworld/deb-get/main/deb-get | sudo bash -s install deb-get

##Why deb-get is superior to Snap

1. Native Performance

Applications installed with deb-get are traditional .deb: immediate startup, full integration, and no container overhead.

2. Simplified Management

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deb-get search firefox
deb-get install google-chrome-stable
deb-get upgrade
deb-get list

3. No Locks or “Hold” States

Avoid blocked background processes and mysterious states.

4. Transparency and Control

You can see exactly what is installed, check GPG signatures, and inspect files.

Catalog of examples

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deb-get install google-chrome-stable
deb-get install vscode
deb-get install signal-desktop

Integration with your workflow

Examples for casual user, administrator and developer included in the original article.

Conclusion: Back to simple

deb-get is not magic, but it is a practical answer to manage third-party applications without the complications of Snap.

Relevant links: