rg

This is the rg crate that always fails to compile and suggests that folks run cargo install ripgrep instead. Namely, while rg is the command name of ripgrep, ripgrep is the proper crate name.

Note that if you did run cargo install rg, then since it results in a compilation error, there is no need to uninstall the rg crate first.

FAQ

Why not make cargo install rg just install ripgrep?

Having two different but slightly similar crate names install the same tool leads to auditing challenges and confusion. For example, if someone sees cargo install rg in an installation script, but notes that ripgrep's README suggests cargo install ripgrep, they might rightfully wonder whether they're installing the right thing or not. ripgrep could note this in the README, but such subtle details are easy to miss.

It's better to keep it simple and prevent the rg crate from ever doing anything but failing and telling folks that ripgrep is what they want.

Doesn't this just encourage crates.io squatting?

I admit that it's possible that it does, but I personally believe this particular case is worth it. Of all the crates I maintain, this is the only example of a crate I've squatted to try and prevent user installation errors. I believe this case to be worth it, given that rg is the name of ripgrep's command itself, and rg is otherwise not necessarily a desirable name unto itself.

I will happily comply with any requests from the crates.io team or any policy changes that make this sort of thing disallowed.

But in general, no, I do not recommend going out and trying to squat every possible synonym or typo of your crate name.