´sudo pacman -S package´ to install/update a specific pakage
´sudo pacman -U package.pkg.tar.xz´ to install a package from a local file (useful if you're using makepkg)
Those are usually enough to maintain my system. I'll have to hit the wiki for the various query options though. But if the CLI side of pacman bothers you, I'd suggest defining aliases in your shell's RC. I track my dotfiles using git and share them on all my machines, and this method works quite well for me...
i too would recommend defining aliases. if not for UX reasons, for brevity and consistency. i use the same (short) commands for pacman as for apt or yaourt.
´sudo pacman -Syy´ to update the package db
´sudo pacman -Suy´ to update all packages
´sudo pacman -S package´ to install/update a specific pakage
´sudo pacman -U package.pkg.tar.xz´ to install a package from a local file (useful if you're using makepkg)
Those are usually enough to maintain my system. I'll have to hit the wiki for the various query options though. But if the CLI side of pacman bothers you, I'd suggest defining aliases in your shell's RC. I track my dotfiles using git and share them on all my machines, and this method works quite well for me...