dh_clean - Linux
Overview
dh_clean removes all intermediate files created by Debian packaging operations, including file lists, debian or debsrc/ directories, ".debhelper" directories, and temporary archives. It also purges the system of temporary files and partially downloaded packages.
Syntax
dh_clean [--rmdeps] [--rmconf] [--nocheck] [--buildsystem <system>] [--sourcedir <directory>] [--debdir <directory>] [--distribution <distribution>] [--build={auto,indep,dep}] [--noautoclean]
Options/Flags
--rmdeps
: Remove all dependency lists.--rmconf
: Remove thedebian/
anddebsrc/
directories (unless they are needed by a changelog).--nocheck
: Do not check for removed dependencies.--buildsystem <system>
: [Build systems only] Override the directory to be cleaned.--sourcedir <directory>
: [Source packages only] Override the directory where the source code is located.--debdir <directory>
: [Binary packages only] Override the directory where the DEB packages are located.--distribution <distribution>
: [Source packages only] Override the distribution.--build={auto,indep,dep}
: [Binary packages only] Specify the build type.--noautoclean
: Disable the automatic removal of debhelper directories.
Examples
- Remove all intermediate files for the current Debian package:
dh_clean
- Remove dependency lists and Debian directories, but keep the changelog:
dh_clean --rmdeps --rmconf
- Clean a binary package built in a custom directory:
dh_clean --sourcedir /path/to/source/directory --debdir /path/to/binary/directory
Common Issues
- Running dh_clean before building the package: This will not have any effect since there are no intermediate files to remove.
Integration
dh_clean can be used in conjunction with other Debian packaging tools:
- dh_make: To clean up after a
dh_make
run. - pbuilder: To clean up temporary archives created by pbuilder.
Related Commands
- dpkg
- dpkg-deb
- lintian