---
title: "iCommands installation and upgrade"
description: "Install iCommands on Linux with APT, YUM, or Zypper, or manually for a specific version."
type: Guide
tags:
  - iCommands
  - Installation
generated:
  by: "claude/opus-5"
  at: "2026-09-11T00:00:00Z"
sources:
  - id: cyverse-learning-materials
    resource: "https://github.com/CyVerse-learning-materials/learning-materials-home/blob/b7392d21be4fd6a67d051847f98c81a18e058a12/docs/ds/icommands/installation.md"
    title: "CyVerse Learning Materials: docs/ds/icommands/installation.md"
    author: "team:cyverse"
    last_modified: "2025-03-27T12:34:29-07:00"
---

# iCommands installation and upgrade

## :material-cog-outline: Installing iCommands Using Linux Package Managers

iCommands can be installed using popular Linux package managers such as `apt`, `yum`, or `zypper`. Follow the instructions below to install the latest version of iCommands based on your system's package manager.

> **Note:** You need administrative privileges to install the iCommands package on the system.

### :simple-ubuntu: APT (Debian/Ubuntu)

APT is the default package manager for Debian-based distributions like Ubuntu. Use the following commands to add the iRODS repository, import the signing key, and update your package list:

```sh
wget -qO - https://packages.irods.org/irods-signing-key.asc | sudo apt-key add -
echo "deb [arch=amd64] https://packages.irods.org/apt/ $(lsb_release -sc) main" | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/renci-irods.list
sudo apt-get update
```

Then use the following command to install iCommands:

```sh
sudo apt install irods-icommands
```

---

### :simple-redhat: YUM (RHEL/CentOS/Fedora)

YUM is the default package manager for Red Hat-based distributions such as RHEL, CentOS, and Fedora. To install the public signing key and add the iRODS repository, execute the following commands:

```sh
sudo rpm --import https://packages.irods.org/irods-signing-key.asc
wget -qO - https://packages.irods.org/renci-irods.yum.repo | sudo tee /etc/yum.repos.d/renci-irods.yum.repo
```

Then use the following command to install iCommands:

```sh
sudo yum install irods-icommands
```

---

### :simple-suse: ZYPPER (openSUSE/SUSE Linux Enterprise)

ZYPPER is the package manager for SUSE-based distributions like openSUSE and SUSE Linux Enterprise. Use these commands to import the signing key and add the iRODS repository:

```sh
sudo rpm --import https://packages.irods.org/irods-signing-key.asc
wget -qO - https://packages.irods.org/renci-irods.zypp.repo | sudo tee /etc/zypp/repos.d/renci-irods.zypp.repo
```

Then use the following command to install iCommands:

```sh
sudo zypper install irods-icommands
```

---

## :material-braille: Manual Installation or Specific Versions  

If you prefer to manually download binaries or require a specific version of iCommands, visit the official iRODS download page for more information:

[iRODS Download Page](https://irods.org/download/){target=_blank}

Alternatively, you can directly browse the repositories for specific versions:

- **APT Repository**: [https://packages.irods.org/apt/pool/](https://packages.irods.org/apt/pool/){target=_blank}
- **YUM/ZYPPER Repository**: [https://packages.irods.org/yum/pool](https://packages.irods.org/yum/pool){target=_blank}

<p class="carc-provenance" markdown>Adapted from [CyVerse Learning Materials](https://github.com/CyVerse-learning-materials/learning-materials-home/blob/b7392d21be4fd6a67d051847f98c81a18e058a12/docs/ds/icommands/installation.md){target=_blank} (last source update 2025-03-27), CC BY 4.0. Spotted a problem? [Open an issue](https://github.com/UNM-CARC/cyverse/issues){target=_blank}.</p>