A powerful pkg plugin that maintains a daily-updated database of files installed by FreeBSD packages. Query which package provides any file using simple pattern matching.
$ pkg provides 'bin/gpg$'
Name : gnupg25-2.5.18
Comment : Complete and free PGP implementation
Repo : FreeBSD
Filename: usr/local/bin/gpgEverything you need to track down package files in FreeBSD
Database automatically syncs with official FreeBSD repositories every day to stay current with package changes.
Use powerful Perl Compatible Regular Expressions to find exactly what you're looking for.
Compatible with FreeBSD 12, 13, 14, and 15 across all major architectures.
Works seamlessly as a pkg plugin—no complex setup or external dependencies.
Full support for i386, amd64, aarch64, ARM, and PowerPC variants.
Fully open source and community-driven. Contributions welcome on GitHub.
Comprehensive coverage across FreeBSD releases and platforms
| FreeBSD Version | Architectures | Status |
|---|---|---|
| FreeBSD 16 | amd64 aarch64 | Active |
| FreeBSD 15 | amd64 i386 aarch64 armv6 armv7 powerpc64 powerpc64le powerpcspe riscv64 | Active |
| FreeBSD 14 | amd64 i386 aarch64 armv6 armv7 powerpc64 powerpc64le powerpcspe riscv64 | Active |
| FreeBSD 13 | amd64 i386 aarch64 armv6 armv7 powerpc64 powerpc64le powerpcspe riscv64 | Legacy |
| FreeBSD 12 | amd64 i386 aarch64 armv6 armv7 powerpc64 | Legacy |
Get up and running in minutes
$ pkg install pkg-providesEdit your pkg configuration file to enable the plugin:
# Add or modify the following line:
PKG_PLUGINS_DIR: "/usr/local/lib/pkg/"
PKG_ENABLE_PLUGINS: true$ pkg plugin
NAME DESC VERSION
provides A plugin for querying which package provides a particular file 0.7.4
$ sudo pkg provides -u
Updating provides database...Common patterns and use cases
Search for which package provides a specific binary:
$ pkg provides 'bin/python3$'
Name : python3-3_4
Comment : Meta-port for the Python interpreter 3.x
Repo : FreeBSD
Filename: usr/local/bin/python3Use regex patterns to find library providers:
$ pkg provides 'lib/libssl\.so'
Name : openssl35-3.5.6
Comment : TLSv1.3 capable SSL and crypto library
Repo : FreeBSD
Filename: usr/local/lib/libssl.so.17
usr/local/lib/libssl.soLocate packages containing specific config files:
$ pkg provides 'etc/nginx/nginx.conf'
Name : nginx-lite-1.30.1,3
Comment : Robust and small WWW server (lite package)
Repo : FreeBSD
Filename: usr/local/etc/nginx/nginx.conf-distFind all packages containing files matching a pattern:
$ pkg provides '\.desktop$'
Name : firefox-esr-140.11.0_1,2
Comment : Web browser based on the browser portion of Mozilla
Repo : FreeBSD
Filename: usr/local/share/applications/firefox.desktop
...Everything you need to know
Help keep pkg-provides maintained and improving
If you find this tool useful, consider supporting its development. Your donations help maintain the daily database updates, add new features, and keep the project alive.
Every contribution, no matter how small, makes a difference and is greatly appreciated!
Install pkg-provides today and never wonder which package provides a file again.