Linux Knowledge Base

Create a .deb to distribute a shell script

Step 1: Directory Structure

• .deb packages expect files to be arranged like they will appear on the target system.
• Commonly, scripts go in /usr/local/bin or /usr/bin.

mkdir -v mypackage
cd mypackage
mkdir -v DEBIAN
mkdir -pv usr/local/bin

Step 2: Copy your script — without extension — into usr/local/bin/ and make it executable

Step 3: Create the Control File

Inside the DEBIAN directory, make a control file:

Package: myscript
Version: 1.0.0
Section: utils
Priority: optional
Architecture: all
Maintainer: Your Name <youremail@example.com>
Description: My sample shell script

Step 4: Build the Package

Navigate to the your package's parent directory and build:

This creates mypackage.deb.

Step 5: Install the package