/usr/portage 6.8GB - Is this right?

jlincoln · n00b Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 11

My disk space is getting low and while determining what is taking up the space I found that /usr/portage is taking up 6.8GB. Is this right? I only have a 36GB disk. So this is a significant chunk.

I used the du -khs command on /usr/portage to get the size of the directory.

Thanks,
Jason

jlincoln · n00b Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 11

I see that 6.2GB is in /usr/portage/distfiles. Is this necessary? Is there a way to clean up this directory?

Thanks,
Jason

gentoo_ram · Posted: Tue Jan 29, 2008 4:36 pm Post subject:

The directory you may clear is /usr/portage/distfiles. This is the directory where all package downloads go before they are built. If you clear /usr/portage/distfiles, then you may have to download packages again as they are updated, but otherwise your system will be fine. Don't delete anything else in the /usr/portage tree.

Also, check /var/tmp/portage. This directory is used when building packages but may not get cleaned out if there is an error. As long as you aren't current emerging any packages, /var/tmp/portage can be cleared as well.

erikm · l33t Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 620

psomas · Developer Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 212 Location: Greece

padoor · Advocate Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 3714 Location: india

i used 10gb for /usr portage including.
a seperate 3.5 gb for distfiles.
as we install more and more packages /usr gets filled up. and so is distfiles.
now that i find only 40 mb of space available in distfiles partition i have to run eclean distfiles for every update.still i get about 100 mb only free. it can get worse.
if i had partition space available i would make 15 gb for /usr including portage and distfiles.

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8086 · n00b Joined: 12 Dec 2007 Posts: 52

6.8 GB seems reasonable?? I have a 3 GB /usr partition.

Alas erikm suggested "rm -rf /usr/portage/disfiles/*" as root. Make sure you spot that * at the end of the command. I don't know if portage will create /usr/portage/distfiles if it doesn't exist.

padoor · Advocate Joined: 30 Dec 2005 Posts: 3714 Location: india

you can delete entire portage if it brcomes corrupted next --sync will create portage and distfiles.
but if oyu have low bandwidth connection to internet it is not wise to delete the distfiles.
many times it becomes necessary to downgrade some of the packages then you have to download many a files again.
if hdd spacce is premium then keep the distfiles copy in a dvd cd or another comp. it will come handy.
a single partition install of gentoo on the average takes about 8 gb if you store your data elsewhere.
those who have high number gb hdd must provide 20-30 gb for gentoo.then no worry of running short of space at critical times.
the magic word is net connection speed.[for distfiles.]

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jlincoln · n00b Joined: 01 Dec 2004 Posts: 11

Thank you all. I got rid of the files in /usr/portage/distfiles. I need the space! This is good to know. I am sure it will grow as I emerge in the future.

Thanks again,
Jason

MostAwesomeDude · Guru Joined: 12 Aug 2007 Posts: 373

Protip: Use "-d" to delete all unused distfiles; without it, eclean will try to keep distfiles it thinks you may want in the future.

psomas · Developer Joined: 23 Sep 2006 Posts: 212 Location: Greece

some nice examples from the man page: