Discover the Theos command to run before install to device. Avoid errors, fix linking issues, and streamline your iOS tweak workflow.
Before installing a Theos tweak to your iOS device, run:
make package or make package install after building.
This compiles and packages your tweak safely for deployment.
Every iOS developer who has ever built their first tweak using Theos knows the mix of excitement and uncertainty before hitting install. The code is ready, the SSH connection is live, and your tweak should appear on your device within seconds. But sometimes, instead of success, you get red error text flooding your terminal.
You stare at the screen and wonder, “What did I forget this time?”
That’s where a small but crucial command makes all the difference. It doesn’t look special, but running it before installation determines whether your tweak installs cleanly or fails silently.
This article explores that essential Theos command to run before install to device: what it does, why it matters, and how it quietly ensures your tweak behaves exactly as you intended.
Article Breakdown
Understanding the Theos Build Flow
Before getting to the command itself, it helps to understand what Theos does when you build or install a tweak. Theos automates four major stages of iOS tweak development:
- Compilation: Converts your .xm and .mm source files into object files.
- Linking: Merges those objects into a single .dylib file that iOS can load.
- Packaging: Wraps the .dylib inside a .deb (Debian) file.
- Installation: Transfers that .deb to your device via SSH and installs it with dpkg -i.
If you skip packaging, Theos has nothing ready to install. The “install” step needs a properly packaged .deb file. Without it, you’ll either get installation errors or accidentally deploy an outdated build.
That’s why one specific command before installation is non-negotiable.
The Core Command: make package
What It Does
When you run:
make package
you’re instructing Theos to compile, link, and package your tweak into a clean .deb file. This file appears inside your project’s packages/ directory, ready for deployment.
It’s similar to baking before serving. You can’t frost a cake that hasn’t been baked; likewise, you can’t install a tweak that hasn’t been packaged.
Why You Should Run It Before Installing
Skipping make package is one of the most common mistakes developers make, especially early on. It might seem harmless, but it causes a range of problems:
- Installing an outdated version of your tweak
- “Missing symbol” or “linking” errors during build
- The tweak appearing on your device but not functioning
- “No such file or directory” errors when installing
Running make package ensures the tweak you’re installing is the newest, fully built version. It’s the invisible checkpoint that saves you hours of debugging confusion.
Theos Commands Explained Simply
To visualize where make package fits in, here’s the typical Theos command sequence used by most developers:
| Step | Command | Purpose |
| 1 | make clean | Removes old builds and temporary files |
| 2 | make | Compiles source code into object files |
| 3 | make package | Packages files into a .deb installer |
| 4 | make install | Installs the .deb to your device |
| 5 | respring | Reloads the device UI to activate the tweak |
That third command is the one to always run before installation. It guarantees that the package you push to your device is complete, recent, and functional.
Skipping this step may lead to installing an outdated .deb still sitting in your packages directory: a common reason why “new changes” don’t show up even after installation.
make package install: The Shortcut Combo
Developers who value speed often use:
make package install
This command combines packaging and installation into one step. It’s fast and efficient, perfect for quick iteration cycles while testing minor changes.
However, it’s not always reliable. If you’ve recently updated dependencies, edited your Makefile, or switched SDK versions, using this shortcut can mask deeper build issues.
For stable releases or major updates, it’s safer to use:
make clean && make package install
This version ensures every file is rebuilt from scratch, eliminating leftover artifacts from previous builds.
When to Use make clean Before Packaging
The make clean command is a reset mechanism. It clears out object files and build artifacts, forcing Theos to start from zero.
You should run make clean before packaging if:
- You modified your Makefile.
- You changed your tweak’s identifier, bundle name, or plist.
- You switched SDK versions.
- You encounter unexplained errors or broken functionality.
The safest routine when debugging is:
make clean && make package && make install
It’s slightly slower, but ensures what you install matches the code you just wrote.
Common Errors from Skipping the Pre-Install Step
Almost every Theos developer has seen these errors at some point:
- dpkg-deb: error: file not found: no .deb was created because packaging was skipped.
- No rule to make target install: the system couldn’t find a valid package to deploy.
- Bad CPU type in executable: your tweak wasn’t rebuilt for the correct architecture.
- Killed: 9: an incomplete build caused iOS to terminate the binary.
The solution for most of these is simple:
Run make clean && make package before trying again.
A Moment of Realization: When It Finally Clicks
Every developer reaches a point where they realize Theos isn’t broken: they just skipped a step.
For me, that moment came when I kept installing my tweak and seeing no changes. I double-checked my code, restarted my device, even re-opened SSH multiple times. Then it hit me: I hadn’t repackaged the tweak after editing it. I was installing the same old .deb repeatedly.
One quick run of:
make package
and the new version appeared immediately. From that day, it became muscle memory.
Theos rewards discipline. Once you respect its flow, the entire process feels smoother: almost predictable.
Comparison: Theos Command Workflows
| Workflow | Commands Used | Stability | Speed | Best For |
| Quick Test | make package install | Medium | Fast | Minor edits or testing |
| Clean Build | make clean && make package install | High | Moderate | Production updates |
| Full Debug | make clean && make && make package && make install | Very High | Slow | Major troubleshooting |
| New Project | make package before any install | Critical | Normal | First builds or structure changes |
Shortcuts save time, but understanding when to use each workflow prevents headaches later. It’s always better to rebuild cleanly when stability matters more than speed.
Hidden but Useful Theos Commands
Once you get comfortable, several lesser-known Theos commands can help fine-tune your workflow.
| Command | Description |
| make messages=yes | Displays detailed compiler output for debugging. |
| make stage | Prepares files for packaging without creating the .deb. |
| make do | Executes post-build actions without repackaging. |
| make uninstall | Removes your tweak from the device. |
| make clean all | Clears all build caches and intermediate files. |
Using these selectively can make your development process faster and more transparent.
The Philosophy Behind Theos Workflow
Theos isn’t just a tool: it’s a rhythm of creation. Each command represents a stage in transforming your source code into a living tweak.
Skipping make package breaks that rhythm. It’s like trying to perform a song without tuning your instrument: it might work, but it won’t sound right.
Running the packaging command before installation is more than a technical requirement. It’s a ritual of finalizing your work, ensuring everything is prepared for the system to accept it. When your tweak finally appears and functions exactly as expected, you realize Theos didn’t just build your code: it shaped your understanding of precision.
FAQ’s
1: What is the Theos command to run before installing to device?
A: The command is make package. It compiles and packages your tweak into a .deb file before installation.
2: Can I skip make package and just use make install?
A: You can, but it’s not recommended. Skipping packaging often leads to incomplete or outdated installations.
3: What’s the difference between make package and make package install?
A: make package creates the .deb file, while make package install creates and installs it in one step.
4: My tweak installs but doesn’t show up. Why?
A: You’re likely installing an old .deb file. Run make clean && make package install to rebuild and redeploy.
5: Should I run make clean every time?
A: Only when you change SDKs, modify your Makefile, or face persistent errors. Otherwise, you can skip it for small edits.
Key Takings
- Always run make package before installation. It ensures your tweak is properly built and ready for deployment.
- Skipping it can lead to outdated or incomplete builds.
- Use make package install for quick testing, but rely on clean builds for stability.
- make clean && make package install is the safest routine for production or major updates.
- The .deb file is the final, verifiable product of your build.
- Respecting the Theos workflow makes troubleshooting easier and installations consistent.
- Each command has a purpose: learn the rhythm, and Theos will never surprise you.
