#1142977 apt-get(8) manpage doesn't address the usage of directory-path as argument of the `build-dep` subcommand

Package:
apt
Source:
apt
Description:
commandline package manager
Submitter:
Buo-ren Lin
Date:
2026-07-29 08:59:02 UTC
Severity:
normal
#1142977#5
Date:
2026-07-29 08:55:51 UTC
From:
To:
Dear Maintainer,

Currently in the manpage of apt-get(8) the arguments of the `build-dep`
subcommand is described as:

It failed to address the case where a directory path is specified as the
argument it will install the packages enumerated in
_directory path_/debian/control's Build-Depends field.

   * What led up to the situation?

     I tried to install build dependency packages of a Debian source
     package, my AI agent proposes running `apt-get build-dep .`
     command in the source package directory to do so.  I checked the
     apt-get(8) manpage to fact check but unable to locate
     the corresponding passage that addresses this kind of usage.

   * What outcome did you expect instead?

     Documentation available in the manpage.