10.6. Device files

Packages must not include device files or named pipes in the package file tree.

Debian packages should assume that device files in /dev are dynamically managed by the kernel or some other system facility and do not have to be explicitly created or managed by the package. Debian packages other than those whose purpose is to manage the /dev device file tree must not attempt to create or remove device files in /dev when a dynamic device management facility is in use.

If named pipes or device files outside of /dev are required by a package, they should normally be created when necessary by the programs in the package, by init scripts or systemd unit files, or by similar on-demand mechanisms. If such files need to be created during package installation, they must be created in the postinst maintainer script 10 and removed in either the prerm or the postrm maintainer script.