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This guide explains how end users can enable and use Copr repositories on their systems to install packages.

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Quick start

The simplest way to enable a Copr repository: 
sudo dnf copr enable user/project
Replace user/project with the owner and project name.

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Methods to enable repositories

For modern Fedora, CentOS Stream, RHEL, and other distributions with DNF: 
sudo dnf copr enable user/project
Prerequisites:
  • dnf-plugins-core package must be installed
sudo dnf install dnf-plugins-core

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Using YUM

For older distributions with YUM: 
sudo yum copr enable user/project
Prerequisites:
  • yum-plugin-copr package must be installed
sudo yum install yum-plugin-copr

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Manual repository file

Download and install the repository file manually.
1

Download repository file

Visit the project overview page on Copr and find the repository file download link.Or download directly:
sudo wget -O /etc/yum.repos.d/user-project.repo \
  https://copr.fedorainfracloud.org/coprs/user/project/repo/fedora-39/user-project-fedora-39.repo
2

Verify the file

Check the repository configuration:
cat /etc/yum.repos.d/user-project.repo
3

Install packages

sudo dnf install package-name

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Repository file format

A typical Copr repository file looks like: 
[copr:copr.fedorainfracloud.org:user:project]
name=Copr repo for project owned by user
baseurl=https://download.copr.fedorainfracloud.org/results/user/project/fedora-$releasever-$basearch/
type=rpm-md
skip_if_unavailable=True
gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=https://download.copr.fedorainfracloud.org/results/user/project/pubkey.gpg
repo_gpgcheck=0
enabled=1
enabled_metadata=1

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Repository file options

baseurl The repository URL. Uses $releasever (OS version) and $basearch (architecture) variables. gpgcheck=1 Verifies package signatures using the GPG key. gpgkey URL to the GPG public key for signature verification. enabled=1 The repository is enabled by default. skip_if_unavailable=True DNF/YUM won’t fail if the repository is temporarily unavailable.

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Group repositories

For projects owned by groups (starting with @): 
sudo dnf copr enable @groupname/project
Example: 
sudo dnf copr enable @copr/copr-dev

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Subproject repositories

Enable subprojects (CoprDirs) with the full subproject name: 
sudo dnf copr enable user/project:custom:branch
Examples: 
sudo dnf copr enable user/myapp:custom:testing
sudo dnf copr enable user/myapp:pr:42

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Multilib repositories

For projects with multilib enabled, dnf copr enable automatically installs the multilib repository file on capable systems.

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Manual multilib setup

If you need to manually enable multilib:
  1. Download the multilib repository file from the project page
  2. Or modify the standard repository file to include the i386 repository
Example multilib repository file: 
[copr:copr.fedorainfracloud.org:user:project]
name=Copr repo for project owned by user
baseurl=https://download.copr.fedorainfracloud.org/results/user/project/fedora-$releasever-$basearch/
type=rpm-md
skip_if_unavailable=True
gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=https://download.copr.fedorainfracloud.org/results/user/project/pubkey.gpg
repo_gpgcheck=0
enabled=1
enabled_metadata=1

[copr:copr.fedorainfracloud.org:user:project:ml]
name=Copr repo for project owned by user (i386)
baseurl=https://download.copr.fedorainfracloud.org/results/user/project/fedora-$releasever-i386/
type=rpm-md
skip_if_unavailable=True
gpgcheck=1
gpgkey=https://download.copr.fedorainfracloud.org/results/user/project/pubkey.gpg
repo_gpgcheck=0
enabled=1
enabled_metadata=1
cost=1100

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Installing packages

Once the repository is enabled, install packages normally: 
sudo dnf install package-name

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Repository priority

Some Copr projects set repository priority to control package preference.

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Using cost parameter

If a Copr package has the same version-release as a distribution package, you can prefer the Copr version: 
[copr:copr.fedorainfracloud.org:user:project]
name=Copr repo for project owned by user
baseurl=https://download.copr.fedorainfracloud.org/results/user/project/fedora-$releasever-$basearch/
# ... other settings ...
cost=900
Lower cost values have higher priority (default is 1000).
It’s better for package maintainers to bump the release number instead of users modifying repository priority.

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Using priority parameter

If the project owner set a repo_priority, it will be included in the repository file: 
priority=50
Lower priority values are preferred.

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Disabling repositories

Temporarily disable a Copr repository: 
sudo dnf copr disable user/project
Or manually edit the repository file: 
sudo vim /etc/yum.repos.d/user-project.repo
Change enabled=1 to enabled=0.

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Removing repositories

Completely remove a Copr repository: 
sudo dnf copr remove user/project
Or delete the repository file manually: 
sudo rm /etc/yum.repos.d/_copr:copr.fedorainfracloud.org:user:project.repo

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Searching Copr repositories

Search for projects on Copr: 
dnf copr search keyword
Example: 
dnf copr search neovim

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Using different Copr instances

Copr has multiple instances. The default is Fedora Copr, but you can use others:

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openEuler Copr

sudo dnf copr enable --hub eur.openeuler.openatom.cn user/project

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Custom Copr instance

sudo dnf copr enable --hub https://copr.example.com user/project

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Security considerations

Copr repositories are user-maintained and not part of official distribution repositories. Only enable repositories from trusted sources.

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Verifying trust

  • Check the project owner’s FAS account
  • Review the project description and homepage
  • Examine build logs and SRPM sources
  • Look for community feedback or known users

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GPG signature verification

Copr automatically signs all packages. GPG verification is enabled by default (gpgcheck=1). The GPG key is automatically imported when you enable the repository.

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Inspect packages before installation

View package information: 
dnf info package-name
Check package vendor: 
rpm -qi package-name | grep Vendor
Example output: 
Vendor      : Fedora Copr - user username

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Troubleshooting

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Repository not found

If dnf copr enable fails:
  1. Verify the project name is correct
  2. Check if the project exists on copr.fedorainfracloud.org
  3. Ensure your OS version has a matching chroot

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GPG key issues

If you see GPG key errors: 
# Import the key manually
sudo rpm --import https://download.copr.fedorainfracloud.org/results/user/project/pubkey.gpg

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Repository unavailable

If the repository is temporarily unavailable, skip_if_unavailable=True prevents DNF from failing. You can continue using other repositories.

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Conflicting packages

If Copr packages conflict with distribution packages: 
# Remove the Copr package
sudo dnf remove package-name

# Reinstall from distribution repos
sudo dnf distro-sync package-name

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Repository caching

If you don’t see new packages immediately: 
# Clear DNF cache
sudo dnf clean all
sudo dnf makecache

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Example workflows

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Installing a development version

# Enable the development repository
sudo dnf copr enable user/myapp:custom:devel

# Install the package
sudo dnf install myapp

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Testing a pull request build

# Enable the PR subproject
sudo dnf copr enable user/project:pr:123

# Install and test
sudo dnf install package-name

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Switching between stable and testing

# Use stable
sudo dnf copr enable user/project
sudo dnf install myapp

# Switch to testing
sudo dnf copr disable user/project
sudo dnf copr enable user/project:custom:testing
sudo dnf upgrade myapp

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Repository file locations

Repository files are stored in:
  • Fedora/RHEL/CentOS: /etc/yum.repos.d/
  • Repository files follow the pattern: _copr:copr.fedorainfracloud.org:user:project.repo

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Best practices

Disable or remove repositories you’re not actively using to reduce metadata download time:
sudo dnf copr disable user/unused-project
If you rely on specific Copr packages, consider using version locks:
sudo dnf install python3-dnf-plugin-versionlock
sudo dnf versionlock add package-name
Before upgrading packages from Copr repositories, check the changelog:
dnf updateinfo list --repo="copr:*"
Keep track of which Copr repositories you have enabled:
dnf repolist | grep copr

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