Kali Linux metapackages

Kali groups 600+ tools into metapackages — install only what your lab needs.

System images#

Metapackage	Contents
`kali-linux-core`	Base system (always present)
`kali-linux-headless`	No GUI — servers, CI agents, Docker
`kali-linux-default`	Default desktop tool set
`kali-linux-large`	Previous “full” default
`kali-linux-everything`	All metapackages (~large disk)
`kali-linux-arm`	ARM-suitable tools
`kali-linux-nethunter`	Mobile / NetHunter

bash

sudo apt install -y kali-linux-default
sudo apt install -y kali-linux-everything   # full lab only

Metapackage	Domain	Key tools
`kali-tools-information-gathering`	OSINT / recon	nmap, amass, theHarvester, maltego, recon-ng
`kali-tools-vulnerability`	Vuln scan	nikto, legion, openvas helpers
`kali-tools-web`	Web app	burpsuite, zaproxy, sqlmap, wpscan, ffuf
`kali-tools-database`	DB attacks	sqlmap, oscanner, jsql-injection
`kali-tools-passwords`	Cracking	hashcat, john, hydra, cewl, crunch
`kali-tools-wireless`	802.11/BT/RFID	aircrack-ng, wifite, kismet, bettercap
`kali-tools-sniffing-spoofing`	MITM / sniff	wireshark, ettercap, responder, mitmproxy
`kali-tools-exploitation`	Exploits	metasploit-framework, searchsploit
`kali-tools-social-engineering`	Phishing / SE	setoolkit, beef-xss
`kali-tools-post-exploitation`	Post-ex	powersploit, weevely
`kali-tools-forensics`	DFIR	autopsy, volatility, binwalk, sleuthkit
`kali-tools-reverse-engineering`	RE	ghidra, radare2, gdb, binwalk
`kali-tools-reporting`	Reports	dradis, faraday, pipal

Specialty metapackages#

Metapackage	Domain
`kali-tools-gpu`	hashcat, pyrit — needs NVIDIA drivers
`kali-tools-hardware`	Bus Pirate, flashrom, openocd
`kali-tools-crypto-stego`	steghide, outguess, fcrackzip
`kali-tools-fuzzing`	wfuzz, spiped, radamsa
`kali-tools-802-11`	Full Wi-Fi stack
`kali-tools-bluetooth`	bluez, spooftooph
`kali-tools-rfid`	mfoc, mfcuk, libnfc
`kali-tools-sdr`	gnuradio, gqrx, rtl_433
`kali-tools-voip`	sipvicious, voiphopper
`kali-tools-windows-resources`	mimikatz, powershell empire helpers
`kali-linux-labs`	Practice environments

GPU setup (hashcat)#

bash

sudo apt install -y kali-tools-gpu
# NVIDIA on Kali: https://www.kali.org/docs/general-use/install-nvidia-drivers-on-kali-linux/
hashcat -I                    # list backends
hashcat -b -m 1000            # benchmark NTLM

GUI tool picker#

bash

kali-tweaks   # Metapackages tab → select groups → Apply

Refresh tool docs#

bash

node scripts/fetch-docs.mjs   # pulls hashcat README, Kali pages

Master tool list: kali-linux-catalog.md

Explore the chapter map

System images#

Tool metapackages (menu-aligned)#

Specialty metapackages#

GPU setup (hashcat)#

GUI tool picker#

Refresh tool docs#

Trace this chapter to its source.

Kali Linux metapackages

Explore the chapter map

System images#

Tool metapackages (menu-aligned)#

Specialty metapackages#

GPU setup (hashcat)#

GUI tool picker#

Refresh tool docs#

Trace this chapter to its source.

Follow the ideas into the next chapter.