rar CheatSheet
Install rar
For ubuntu, debian, etc
sudo apt install rar
Custom installation
curl -O https://www.rarlab.com/rar/rarlinux-x64-621.tar.gz
tar -xzf rarlinux-x64-621.tar.gz
cd rar
sudo cp rar unrar /usr/local/bin/
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/rar /usr/local/bin/unrar
Create Archive
rar a archive.rar file.txt # Single file
rar a -r archive.rar /folder/ # Recursive
rar a -m5 archive.rar files/ # Max compression
rar a -pPassword archive.rar files/ # With password
Extract Archive
rar x archive.rar # Extract (with folders)
rar e archive.rar # Extract (flat)
rar x -pPassword archive.rar # Extract with password
rar x archive.rar /path/ # Extract to location
List & Test
rar l archive.rar # List contents
rar t archive.rar # Test integrity
Manage Archive
rar d archive.rar file.txt # Delete file
rar a -u archive.rar newfile.txt # Update/add file
rar r archive.rar # Repair damaged
Compression Levels
-m0 # No compression (fastest)
-m3 # Balanced
-m5 # Maximum compression (slowest)
Advanced Options
-v100m # Split into 100MB volumes
-x*.tmp # Exclude .tmp files
-hp # Encrypt filenames
-z comment.txt # Add comment
Most Used Real-World Examples
# Backup with max compression
rar a -m5 -r backup.rar /home/user/data/
# Password protected backup
rar a -m5 -pSecure123 backup.rar folder/
# Extract password protected
rar x -pSecure123 backup.rar
# Split large archive (100MB parts)
rar a -v100m -m5 big.rar /large/folder/
# Create and immediately test
rar a -m5 archive.rar files/ && rar t archive.rar
# Extract to specific location
rar x archive.rar /home/user/extracted/
# Update existing archive
rar a -u archive.rar newfile.txt
# Backup excluding temp files
rar a -r -x*.tmp -x*.log backup.rar /project/
Flags Cheat Sheet
| Flag | What it does |
|---|---|
a | Add to archive |
x | Extract with structure |
e | Extract flat |
l | List files |
t | Test archive |
d | Delete file |
r | Repair |
-r | Recursive |
-m | Compression level |
-p | Password |
-v | Split volumes |
-x | Exclude files |