# revdeprun
[](https://crates.io/crates/revdeprun)
[](https://github.com/nanxstats/revdeprun/actions/workflows/ci.yml)
A command-line tool that automates reverse dependency checking for R packages.
Provision R on Ubuntu, install system dependencies, preinstall revdep
dependency binaries, configure environment context,
and run `xfun::rev_check()` in a single command.
Designed for cloud environments where you need reproducible, isolated test
runs without tedious manual setup.
## Installation
### Prerequisites
Install Rust:
```bash
Install C compiler and linker:
```bash
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y build-essential
```
### Install revdeprun
From crates.io (stable release):
```bash
cargo install revdeprun
```
From GitHub (latest development version):
```bash
cargo install --git https://github.com/nanxstats/revdeprun.git
```
**Note**: If `cargo` or `revdeprun` is not found immediately after installation,
restart your shell.
## Environment
Currently, this tool is designed for Ubuntu-based systems and requires:
- Operating system: Ubuntu 22.04 LTS, 24.04 LTS, and future LTS releases.
- Version control: Git on `PATH`.
- Network access: To download R, R packages, and repository metadata.
- Elevated privileges: `sudo` access for installing R and system requirements.
## Security
> [!IMPORTANT]
> Never run `revdeprun` on your local machine or any environment with sensitive data.
> Reverse dependency checks execute arbitrary third-party R code, download
> dependencies from external repositories, and install system packages via sudo.
> Always run `revdeprun` in temporary, isolated environments such as disposable
> cloud instances or containers that will be destroyed after use.
>
> See [SECURITY.md](https://github.com/nanxstats/revdeprun/blob/main/SECURITY.md)
> for complete security guidelines.
## Usage
Simply point `revdeprun` at your package:
```bash
revdeprun https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/YOUR-REPOSITORY.git
```
Git repository, local directory, or source tarball (`.tar.gz`) are supported.
Sensible defaults that make this fast and robust:
- Discover and install the current release version of R for Ubuntu.
- Pre-install system requirements for all reverse dependencies at once.
- Pre-install all dependencies required for checking reverse dependencies
from the Posit Public Package Manager (P3M) binary repository,
into a dedicated library in `revdep/library/`.
- Run `xfun::rev_check()` for parallel reverse dependency checking.
- Generate summary reports only for any check results with diffs.
- Use all available CPU cores for parallel installation and checking.
### Command-line options
```
Usage: revdeprun [OPTIONS] <REPOSITORY>
Arguments:
<REPOSITORY>
Git URL, local directory, or source package tarball (.tar.gz) for the target R package
Options:
--r-version <R_VERSION>
R version to install (e.g., release, 4.3.3, oldrel-1)
[default: release]
--num-workers <N>
Number of parallel workers for xfun::rev_check()
[default: number of CPU cores]
--work-dir <WORK_DIR>
Optional workspace directory where temporary files are created
--skip-r-install
Skip installing R and reuse the system-wide installation
-h, --help
Print help
-V, --version
Print version
```
## Example usages
Standard check on a remote repository:
```bash
revdeprun https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/YOUR-REPOSITORY.git
```
Specify [R version](https://github.com/r-lib/actions/tree/v2-branch/setup-r#inputs)
and parallelism:
```bash
revdeprun --r-version devel --num-workers 48 \
https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/YOUR-REPOSITORY.git
```
Use a custom workspace and SSH authentication:
```bash
revdeprun --work-dir /data/workspace \
git@github.com:YOUR-USERNAME/YOUR-REPOSITORY.git
```
Check a local directory:
```bash
revdeprun ~/workspace/YOUR-REPOSITORY
```
Check a local source package tarball:
```bash
revdeprun ~/packages/YOURPACKAGE_1.2.3.tar.gz
```
Use an existing R installation:
```bash
revdeprun --skip-r-install https://github.com/YOUR-USERNAME/YOUR-REPOSITORY.git
```
## Monitor long-running checks
Reverse dependency checks can take hours to complete. If you are monitoring
progress via an SSH session from your local machine, consider preventing
your computer from sleeping to maintain an uninterrupted connection and
keep progress output streaming continuously to your terminal.
On macOS, open a new terminal window and run `caffeinate -d`. On Windows, use
[PowerToys Awake](https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/powertoys/awake).
## Technical workflow
The following diagrams illustrate the `revdeprun` workflow.
### Phase 1: Environment setup
<img src="https://github.com/nanxstats/revdeprun/raw/main/assets/workflow-phase-1.svg">
### Phase 2: Dependency installation and reverse dependency checking
<img src="https://github.com/nanxstats/revdeprun/raw/main/assets/workflow-phase-2.svg">
## License
This project is licensed under the MIT License.