A package group is a group of packages that serve a common purpose. This let’s you query, install, and delete multiple packages as a single unit.
There are two types of package groups: environment groups and package groups.
environment groups are the option listed on the software selection window during RHEL installation. They provide all the necessary software to build the OS for a desired purpose. Environment groups include:
Server
Server with GUI
Minimal Install
Workstation
KDE Plasma Workspaces
Virtualization Host
Custom Operating System
Package groups are groups of packages that serve a common purpose.They help save time on the deployment of individual and dependent packages. These include:
Container Management
Headless Management
Console Internet Tools
.NET Development
RPM Development Tools
Development Tools
Graphical Administration Tools
Legacy UNIX Compatibility
Network Servers
Scientific Support
Security Tools
Smart Card Support
System Tools
Fedora Packager
VideoLAN Client
Xfce
Package Group Management
Use the group dnf subcommand to list, install, query, and remove groups of packages.
Listing Available and Installed Package Groups
List all available and installed package groups from all repositories:
dnf group list
The output shows both environment and package groups.
Available Environment Groups:
Server with GUI
Minimal Install
Workstation
KDE Plasma Workspaces
Virtualization Host
Custom Operating System
Installed Environment Groups:
Server
Installed Groups:
Container Management
Headless Management
Available Groups:
Console Internet Tools
.NET Development
RPM Development Tools
Development Tools
Graphical Administration Tools
Legacy UNIX Compatibility
Network Servers
Scientific Support
Security Tools
Smart Card Support
System Tools
Fedora Packager
VideoLAN Client
Xfce
Show packages included in a given package group:
sudo dnf group info "Scientific Support"Last metadata expiration check: 2:04:48 ago on Tue 02 Jun 2026 07:21:12 AM MST.
Group: Scientific Support
Description: Tools for mathematical and scientific computations, and parallel computing.
Optional Packages:
atlas
fftw
fftw-devel
fftw-static
lapack
mpich-devel
openmpi
openmpi-devel
python3-numpy
python3-scipy
units
Show all available package groups:
dnf group list
List installed package groups:
sudo dnf group list --installed
Last metadata expiration check: 2:07:40 ago on Tue 02 Jun 2026 07:21:12 AM MST.
Installed Environment Groups:
Server
Installed Groups:
Container Management
Headless Management
Installing and Updating Package Groups
When you install a package group dnf will create the directory structure for all the packages included in the group. Along with any dependent packages. It will install required files and run any required post installation tasks. It will also update all packages in the group to the latest version if they aren’t already.
Install the “Scientific Support” package group:
sudo dnf group install "Scientific Support"Last metadata expiration check: 0:02:51 ago on Tue 02 Jun 2026 09:39:23 AM MST.
Dependencies resolved.
=============================================================================================== Package Architecture Version Repository Size===============================================================================================Installing Groups:
Scientific Support
Transaction Summary===============================================================================================Is this ok [y/N]: y
Complete!
To update it to the latest version:
sudo dnf group update "Scientific Support"Last metadata expiration check: 0:07:38 ago on Tue 02 Jun 2026 09:39:23 AM MST.
Dependencies resolved.
=============================================================================================== Package Architecture Version Repository Size===============================================================================================Upgrading Groups:
Scientific Support
Transaction Summary===============================================================================================Is this ok [y/N]: y
Complete!
Removing Package Groups
Removing a package group uninstalls all packages and dependencies included in the group. It also deletes associated files and directory structure.
Erase all evidence of the “Scientific Support” package group:
sudo dnf group remove "Scientific Support"Dependencies resolved.
=============================================================================================== Package Architecture Version Repository Size===============================================================================================Removing Groups:
Scientific Support
Transaction Summary===============================================================================================Is this ok [y/N]: y
Complete!