As mentioned in the previous chapter, the package manager installs software by fetching packages from software repositories, therefore the software available for easy installation via the package manager depends on the configured repositories.

A software repository is a collection of RPM packages (the openSUSE packaging format) and metadata for the available packages. Usually repositories are on online servers, but it can also be CD/DVD or other media.

Respositories can be added, removed and configured via YaST.


If you wish to use the online repository instead of using the DVD, disable the DVD as a repository here.

The official repositories are pre-configured, but many unofficial repositories exist and can be added too.


The easiest and safest way to add repositories is using the list of online community repositories in YaST. This provides you with a selection of popular and pretty safe repositories to choose from:


Note that the openSUSE BuildService is a service for the community to build and share packages. openSUSE BuildService repositories are unofficial and unsupported. Use at your own risk.

You should always have the three official repositories (which are configured out of the box).

• Main Repository (OSS)
• Main Repository (NON-OSS)
• Main Update Repository

Additionally I recommend adding the following repositories from the Community Repositories list, for having a good balance of software supply and stability for most users.

• Packman Repository
• Main Repository (Contrib)
• openSUSE BuildService - KDE:UpdatedApps
• openSUSE BuildService - KDE:Extra

If you wish, you can manage your repositories via a terminal too.

Add a repository with auto-refresh enabled 'zypper ar --refresh [URL] [Alias]'. Example:
Disable a repository 'zypper mr --disable [URL|Alias]'. Example:
Remove a repository 'zypper rr [URL|Alias]'. Example:
List configured repositories, showing details (priorities, URL, etc.):
See 'man zypper' for more.