# Clzip > small, stand-alone lzip compressor and decompressor **Wikidata**: [Q131377375](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q131377375) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/clzip ## Summary Clzip is a small, stand-alone command-line tool for compressing and decompressing files using the LZMA algorithm. It is free software distributed under the GNU General Public License (version 2.0 or later) and is maintained by Antonio Diaz as part of the Lzip ecosystem. ## Key Facts - **License**: Released under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later. - **Latest Version**: 1.15 (stable), released on January 17, 2025. - **Previous Version**: 1.14 (stable), released on January 25, 2024. - **Maintainer**: Antonio Diaz, who also holds the copyright. - **Classification**: Free software and compression software. - **Distribution**: Available in major Linux distributions, including Debian (since 2010), Ubuntu, and Gentoo (package: `app-arch/clzip`). - **Source Code**: Hosted at [Savannah GNU](https://download.savannah.gnu.org/releases/lzip/clzip/). - **Documentation**: User manual available at [https://www.nongnu.org/lzip/manual/clzip_manual.html](https://www.nongnu.org/lzip/manual/clzip_manual.html). - **Mailing List**: Bug reports and discussions archived at [https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/lzip-bug/](https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/lzip-bug/). ## FAQs **What is Clzip used for?** Clzip is a lightweight command-line utility for compressing and decompressing files using the LZMA algorithm, offering high compression ratios while maintaining simplicity and efficiency. **Who maintains Clzip?** Antonio Diaz is the primary maintainer and copyright holder of Clzip, overseeing its development and releases. **Is Clzip free to use and modify?** Yes, Clzip is free software licensed under the GNU General Public License (GPLv2+), allowing users to run, study, modify, and distribute it freely. **Where can I download Clzip?** The latest stable version (1.15) can be downloaded from [https://download.savannah.gnu.org/releases/lzip/clzip/clzip-1.15.tar.gz](https://download.savannah.gnu.org/releases/lzip/clzip/clzip-1.15.tar.gz). **Which Linux distributions include Clzip?** Clzip is packaged in Debian (since 2010), Ubuntu, and Gentoo, making it easily installable via their respective package managers. ## Why It Matters Clzip plays a crucial role in the Lzip ecosystem by providing a minimal, efficient, and standalone tool for LZMA-based compression. Its adherence to free software principles ensures transparency and user freedom, while its integration into major Linux distributions makes it accessible for system administrators and developers. By offering a lightweight alternative to larger compression tools, Clzip is particularly useful in environments where resource efficiency is critical, such as embedded systems or scripted workflows. ## Notable For - **Minimalist Design**: A small, standalone tool with no external dependencies, ideal for lightweight compression tasks. - **Free Software Compliance**: Fully compliant with the GNU GPL, ensuring user freedoms and community-driven development. - **Cross-Distribution Support**: Officially packaged in Debian, Ubuntu, and Gentoo, ensuring broad compatibility. - **Active Maintenance**: Regular updates, with the latest stable release (1.15) published in January 2025. ## Body ### Overview Clzip is a command-line utility designed for compressing and decompressing files using the LZMA algorithm, a variant of the Lempel-Ziv-Markov chain algorithm known for its high compression ratios. Unlike larger compression suites, Clzip is intentionally minimal, offering a single-purpose tool without unnecessary features. It is part of the broader Lzip project, which emphasizes simplicity, efficiency, and adherence to free software principles. ### Development and Maintenance Clzip is maintained by Antonio Diaz, who also holds the copyright. Diaz has overseen multiple releases, with version 1.14 released on January 25, 2024, and the latest stable version, 1.15, released on January 17, 2025. The project is hosted on Savannah GNU, a platform for free software development, and its source code is publicly available for download and modification. ### Licensing and Distribution Clzip is distributed under the GNU General Public License, version 2.0 or later, ensuring that users have the freedom to run, study, modify, and redistribute the software. This licensing aligns with the broader free software movement, promoting transparency and community collaboration. The software is copyrighted by Antonio Diaz, with copyright records dated as recently as December 3, 2024. ### Platform Support and Packaging Clzip is widely available across major Linux distributions: - **Debian**: Included since December 31, 2010, with the stable package available in the "bookworm" release. - **Ubuntu**: Packaged under the `clzip` source package, accessible via Launchpad. - **Gentoo**: Available as `app-arch/clzip` in the Portage package manager. - **Guix**: Referenced under the variable name `clzip`. This broad distribution ensures that users can easily install Clzip through their system's package manager, reducing the need for manual compilation. ### Documentation and Community The official user manual for Clzip is hosted at [https://www.nongnu.org/lzip/manual/clzip_manual.html](https://www.nongnu.org/lzip/manual/clzip_manual.html), providing detailed instructions on usage, options, and best practices. For community support and bug reporting, users can refer to the mailing list archive at [https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/lzip-bug/](https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/lzip-bug/), where discussions and announcements are publicly archived. ### Technical Details Clzip is written in C and designed to be a lossless data compressor, meaning it preserves all original data without degradation. It leverages the LZMA algorithm, which is known for its balance between compression ratio and speed. The tool is standalone, requiring no additional libraries or dependencies, making it suitable for environments with limited resources. ### Related Projects and Ecosystem Clzip is part of the Lzip ecosystem, which includes other tools like `lzip` and `plzip` (a parallel implementation). While `lzip` is the primary compressor, Clzip serves as a lightweight alternative, often used in scripts or automated workflows where minimal overhead is desired. The project's integration with major Linux distributions and its adherence to free software principles make it a trusted component in open-source data compression. ## References 1. [Source](https://metadata.ftp-master.debian.org/changelogs//main/c/clzip/clzip_1.13-5_copyright) 2. [Clzip 1.14 released. 2024](https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/lzip-bug/2024-01/msg00012.html) 3. [[Lzip-bug] Clzip 1.15 released. 2025](https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/lzip-bug/2025-01/msg00011.html) 4. [Clzip 1.16 released. 2026](https://lists.nongnu.org/archive/html/lzip-bug/2026-03/msg00004.html) 5. [Source](https://packages.debian.org/source/bookworm/clzip)