Dummy OPKG Package - hello-opkg

Package Information

Name: hello-opkg
Version: 1.0.0-1
Architecture: all (universal)
File: packages/hello-opkg_1.0.0-1_all.ipk
Size: ~812 bytes

What It Does

This is a minimal test package that installs a simple shell script at /usr/bin/hello-opkg.

When executed, the script prints:

Hello from the opkg dummy package!
Package: hello-opkg v1.0.0
This package was installed successfully.

Package Structure

The package follows standard IPK format:

hello-opkg_1.0.0-1_all.ipk
├── debian-binary       (format version: 2.0)
├── control.tar.gz      (package metadata)
│   └── control
└── data.tar.gz         (installed files)
    └── usr/bin/hello-opkg

Installation

On an OpenWRT device:

opkg install hello-opkg_1.0.0-1_all.ipk

Or from your repository:

opkg update
opkg install hello-opkg

Testing

# Run the installed script
hello-opkg

# Check package info
opkg status hello-opkg

# List installed files
opkg files hello-opkg

Removal

opkg remove hello-opkg

Troubleshooting "Malformed Package" Error

If you encounter a "malformed package" error, try:

Check opkg version: Some older opkg versions are picky about format
```
opkg --version
```

Verify package structure:

ar t hello-opkg_1.0.0-1_all.ipk
# Should show: debian-binary, control.tar.gz, data.tar.gz

Check file permissions: The script must be executable

tar tzf <(ar p hello-opkg_1.0.0-1_all.ipk data.tar.gz)

Try verbose installation:

opkg install -V3 hello-opkg_1.0.0-1_all.ipk

Inspect control file:

ar p hello-opkg_1.0.0-1_all.ipk control.tar.gz | tar xzO ./control

Rebuilding the Package

Use the included build-ipk.sh script:

# Create package structure
mkdir -p my-package/CONTROL my-package/usr/bin

# Create control file
cat > my-package/CONTROL/control << 'EOF'
Package: my-package
Version: 1.0.0
Architecture: all
Maintainer: Your Name <you@example.com>
Description: My test package
EOF

# Add your files
echo '#!/bin/sh' > my-package/usr/bin/my-script
echo 'echo "Hello!"' >> my-package/usr/bin/my-script
chmod +x my-package/usr/bin/my-script

# Build it
./build-ipk.sh my-package packages/

Use Cases

Testing repository setup
Verifying package index generation
Testing upload scripts
Debugging package installation issues
CI/CD pipeline testing

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