Install gptfdisk with Homebrew, apk, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper, apt, dnf, scoop

Project links

• Homepage
• Repository
• Upstream docs
• Package manager page

Commands and aliases

• cgdisk
• fixparts
• gdisk
• sgdisk

Project history

The official GPT fdisk page describes `gdisk`, `cgdisk`, and `sgdisk` as tools for GPT disks rather than older MBR partition tables, while `fixparts` repairs certain MBR damage and converts partition types between primary and logical.

The revisions page shows a long beta-era progression from early `gdisk` releases through added Mac OS X support, hybrid MBR handling, FreeBSD support, Windows support, non-512-byte-sector support, and the addition of `sgdisk` for scripts.

Version 0.7.0 added `fixparts` in March 2011, and version 0.8.0 added `cgdisk` in September 2011 as a cfdisk-like interface. Version 1.0.0 in March 2015 moved GPT fdisk out of beta status because the program had been used for years and appeared reliable.

The author-maintained rodsbooks.com pages remain the documentation center, while SourceForge provides source code and downloads for source and non-Linux binaries.

Adoption history

GPT fdisk became important as EFI and GPT partitioning became ordinary on PCs, Macs, removable media, and large disks. It gave Unix users an fdisk-like workflow for GPT and gave script authors `sgdisk` for repeatable partition-table operations.

The tool family also filled a practical migration gap: its documentation covers MBR-to-GPT conversion, GPT-to-MBR conversion, hybrid MBRs, wiping GPT data, booting from GPT, and protective MBR details.

Its package-manager footprint is broad because disk partitioning tools must be available in rescue systems, installers, live environments, and administrator workstations.

How it is used

`gdisk` is the interactive expert-style tool, `cgdisk` offers a curses interface, `sgdisk` is suited to scripts and automation, and `fixparts` handles broken MBR partition tables.

Administrators use GPT fdisk for inspecting and editing GPT partition tables, converting legacy layouts, repairing GPT metadata, creating hybrid MBRs in edge cases, and preparing disks from rescue or installer environments.

The official documentation warns about platform limits such as FreeBSD write behavior on mounted disks and macOS System Integrity Protection restricting low-level access to system disks.

Why package nerds care

GPT fdisk is a package-nerd staple because it is both powerful and dangerous in the traditional Unix way: small named executables, manpages, scriptable operations, and direct disk writes.

It is also historically interesting because it tracks the storage transition from MBR assumptions to GPT/UEFI norms, including alignment issues, Advanced Format drives, hybrid MBR compatibility, Windows/macOS/FreeBSD support, and rescue-disk packaging.

Timeline

• 2009: Early beta-era `gdisk` releases receive successful-use reports and precompiled RPMs.
• 2010: Version 0.6.0 adds non-512-byte-sector support and the new `sgdisk` program.
• 2010: Version 0.6.2 adds Windows support.
• 2011: Version 0.7.0 adds `fixparts`.
• 2011: Version 0.8.0 adds `cgdisk`.
• 2015: Version 1.0.0 moves GPT fdisk out of beta status.
• 2021: Version 1.0.7 adds ARM64 Mac builds for `gdisk` and `fixparts`.
• 2022: Version 1.0.9 adds Windows builds for `sgdisk` and `cgdisk`.
• 2024: Version 1.0.10 includes bug fixes and disk-handling improvements.

Related projects

• FreeBSD `gpt`, traditional `fdisk`, `cfdisk`, parted-style tools, UEFI firmware, rEFInd, and Linux rescue systems are recurring comparisons or environments in the GPT fdisk documentation.
• `fixparts` has its own official page but is part of the GPT fdisk package family.

Sources

• https://sourceforge.net/p/gptfdisk/code/ci/master/tree
• https://www.rodsbooks.com/gdisk
• https://www.rodsbooks.com/gdisk/download.html
• https://www.rodsbooks.com/gdisk/revisions.html