If your binary is compiled with hardcoded rpaths (e.g., looking for config in ./config), it may break when installed to /usr/local/bin. Solution: recompile with -rpath @executable_path/../lib or use install-name tool.
Before diving into the "how," it's crucial to understand the "why." Why would a developer or system administrator convert a simple binary into a .pkg?
| Feature | Raw Binary | PKG Package |
|---------|------------|-------------|
| Install path | Manual: cp mybin /usr/local/bin | Automatic, configurable (/usr/local, /Applications, /Library/Frameworks) |
| Uninstallation | Manual deletion | Can integrate with pkgutil --forget or uninstall scripts |
| Permissions | User must chmod +x | Setuid, sticky bits, ownership preserved |
| Receipts | None | Stored in SQLite database for version tracking |
| Scripted actions | None | Pre/post install scripts to configure services, create users, set up launch daemons |
| Code signing | Possible but rare | Required for distribution (notarization) |
| GUI deployment | Terminal only | Double-click installer + Apple Remote Desktop / Jamf Pro support |
Use cases:
Use ps3sys or SFO Editor to generate PARAM.SFO inside my_game/:
Title ID: MYGAME00001
Title: My Game
Version: 01.00
Category: HG (Homebrew Game)
If you actually meant extracting the binary from a .pkg file: bin to pkg
# macOS
pkgutil --expand original.pkg expanded_folder
# Then look inside Payload or similar
Clarify your context if possible:
I’ll give you the exact method for your case.
PS4 requires a GPG signature (only for retail). For homebrew, use:
ps4-pkg-tool create my_game/ my_game.pkg --fake
Create a PKGBUILD:
pkgname=mybin pkgver=1.0 pkgrel=1 arch=('x86_64') source=("program.bin")
package() install -Dm755 "$srcdir/program.bin" "$pkgdir/usr/bin/myprogram"If your binary is compiled with hardcoded rpaths (e
Then:
makepkg -f # generates mybin-1.0-1-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst
The "Pkg" (Package) model—whether it's a .deb, .rpm, .nupkg, or a Docker image—wraps that binary in a layer of intelligence.
When you move from Bin to Pkg, you aren't just moving files; you are moving intent.
1. The Manifest
Every package carries a manifest. It says, "I am version 2.1, I depend on OpenSSL 1.1, and I was built by the DevOps team." This metadata allows package managers (like apt, yum, brew, or nuget) to do the heavy lifting for you. If you actually meant extracting the binary from a
2. Dependency Management
This is the biggest selling point. A package manager looks at your pkg, sees what it needs, and installs those dependencies automatically. It solves the "It works on my machine" problem by ensuring the environment matches the requirements.
3. Atomic Operations With a package manager, you can install, upgrade, and rollback. If version 3.0 of your package breaks production, you can issue a simple command to revert to version 2.9. You can't easily do that with a raw binary blob.
A .pkg file is a software package, primarily for macOS and Solaris.
The critical insight: You do not convert a BIN file into a PKG file. You extract the contents of the BIN file (if they are software files) and then repackage those contents as a PKG.