apk-del(8) System Manager's Manual apk-del(8)

# [NAME](#NAME)

apk del - remove constraints from *world* and commit changes

# [SYNOPSIS](#SYNOPSIS)

**apk del** \[<*options*>...] *constraints*...

# [DESCRIPTION](#DESCRIPTION)

**apk del** removes constraints from *world* (see [**apk-world**(5)](/man/os/apk-tools/apk-world.5)) and commits changes to disk. This usually involves removing unneeded packages, but may also cause other changes to the installed packages.

# [OPTIONS](#OPTIONS)

**apk del** supports the commit options described in [**apk**(8)](/man/os/apk-tools/apk.8), as well as the following options:

**-r, --rdepends**

Recursively delete all top-level reverse dependencies, too.

2026-09-28

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Document: apk-del(8) from apk-tools 2.14.10-r16 (Chainguard OS)
Source: https://gitlab.alpinelinux.org/alpine/apk-tools.git