How to Add Debian Sid Repository on Debian-Based Systems

Enabling Debian Sid Repo Guide

Hi! The Tutorial shows you Step-by-Step How to Add Debian Sid/Unstable Main, Contrib and Non Free Repositories in Debian-Based GNU/Linux OSes.

And Debian Sid Repository contains some Recent Extras Stuff that you may want Installed on your System.

Especially relevant: using the Apt Default Release Setup after this the System Stability is Granted!

So this Repo Setup is Valid for All the Debian-based Platforms like:

• Kali
• Deepin
• MX Linux
• antiX
• Parrot
• SparkyLinux
• Voyager
• Netrunner
• Elive
• LMDE
• CrunchBang
• MakuluLinux
• Parsix

1. 1. Launching Terminal

   How to QuickStart with Command Line on GNU/Linux

   Command Line QuickStart Guide

   Getting-Started with Terminal on Linux

2. 2. Adding Sid Apt Repo

   Then to Add Debian Sid Repository
   Simply Copy and Execute this Command:
   (And in case of “su: Authentication failure” try instead with “su -c“)
   So to enable Main, Contrib and Non-free Repos:

   sudo su -c "echo 'deb http://ftp.fr.debian.org/debian sid main contrib non-free' >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/sid.list"

   Possibly again to add some Legacy Packages support:

   deb http://deb.debian.org/debian-ports unstable main

   So in this case you need also the GPG Key:

   gpg --keyserver hkps://keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys 8D69674688B6CB36

   gpg --export 8D69674688B6CB36 | sudo tee /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/debian-ports.gpg > dev/null

   Last, it may be useful to Add also the Kernel and Security ones with:

   sudo su -c "echo 'deb http://security.debian.org/debian-security sid-security main' >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/sid.list"

   And in case of ‘authentication failure‘ use instead the ‘sudo su -c’ Command.

   Possibly Change the Debian Mirror in base of your Location

   Debian Ftp Mirror List

   Debian Servers Worldwide List

   Finally, Ctrl+x to Save & Exit from nano Editor :)

3. 3. Setting Up Default

   Then to Set the Default Release
   And this is Indispensable to Preserve the Stability of the System in Case of Updates/Upgrades!
   (But however you can Override it temporarily just commenting out the Statement and Updating the Apt Repos)
   Make or Edit the Apt Config File:

   sudo nano /etc/apt/apt.conf

   And Depending of your Release Append
   For Stable Based OSes, and so also for Deepin:

   APT::Default-Release "/^stable(|-security|-updates)$/";

   Rather for Testing one:

   APT::Default-Release "/^testing(|-security|-updates)$/";

   Finally, for a Rolling like Kali:

   APT::Default-Release "kali-rolling";

   Possibly if needed to Find out What’s your actual Repo Base
   First, try to look up with a canonical:

   sudo apt update

   Or again use the cat Command like:

   cat /etc/apt/sources.list

   Thanks to dracae

4. 4. Enabling Repo

   Finally, to Re-Load Repositories
   Do:

   sudo apt update

   Authenticate with the User Admin Pass.
   If Got “User is Not in Sudoers file” then see: How to Enable sudo.

5. 5. Installing Single Package

   Finally, to Install One Package from Sid Repo
   Execute:

   sudo apt -t unstable install [MYCOOLPACKAGE]

   So for instance:

   sudo apt -t unstable install firefox