6–9 Jul 2026
Europe/Warsaw timezone

Maintaining a package on CRAN

7 Jul 2026, 10:50
20m
Talks (15-20 minutes) Talks

Speaker

Lluís Revilla Sancho

Description

Publishing a package on CRAN is often half the work of a maintainer, then comes the hardest part: maintaining it there. Many resources focus on getting the package published on CRAN and what it takes one maintainer to do so. They share common problems and how to solve them but they are not based on data or focused on maintaining the package on CRAN.

Recently, CRAN has open up some historical data about actions take with packages. These datasets contain the historic data of each action from the CRAN team in relation to published packages. With these datasets we will learn how often are packages updated and archived. Then, we will explore characteristics related to a package staying longer on CRAN and how they reacted to CRAN's emails to update packages. Last, we will learn what are the common causes that require a package update or lead to them being archived.

With all this together we will learn what it takes to publish a package on CRAN, update it and keep it working for all users with the high quality R is known for. This will help reducing the friction between package developers and CRAN volunteers and keep publishing great packages.

If you used AI tools or services to support the preparation of this submission, please state the name and reason for using each of them.

No AI tools/services were used.

Additional Material or Paper

It will be published online (not sure yet the repository url), it is partially based on a previous talk 5 years ago about how to publish a package: https://llrs.dev/talk/user-2021/

Keywords: Please list up to 5 keywords to help us find the right session for your contribution. CRAN, maintainers, checks, pacakge maintenance,
Virtual Option This submission is for onsite presentation primarily, but I would also like it to be considered for pre-recorded virtual presentation if I don't get an onsite slot
Video Recording Video sharing is fine
The author(s) agree(s) to take responsibility and be accountable for the contents of the submission and is/are authorized to present it. Confirm
Interested in serving as reviewer? lluis.revilla+indico@gmail.com

Author

Presentation materials

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