diff --git a/Dockerfile b/Dockerfile
index a3508518..032ae238 100644
--- a/Dockerfile
+++ b/Dockerfile
@@ -13,11 +13,14 @@ ENV AHRIMAN_REPOSITORY_ROOT="/var/lib/ahriman/ahriman"
 ENV AHRIMAN_USER="ahriman"
 
 # install environment
+## update pacman.conf with multilib
+RUN echo "[multilib]" >> "/etc/pacman.conf" && \
+    echo "Include = /etc/pacman.d/mirrorlist" >> "/etc/pacman.conf"
 ## install minimal required packages
 RUN pacman --noconfirm -Syu binutils fakeroot git make sudo
 ## create build user
-RUN useradd -m -d /home/build -s /usr/bin/nologin build && \
-    echo "build ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL" > /etc/sudoers.d/build
+RUN useradd -m -d "/home/build" -s "/usr/bin/nologin" build && \
+    echo "build ALL=(ALL) NOPASSWD: ALL" > "/etc/sudoers.d/build"
 COPY "docker/install-aur-package.sh" "/usr/local/bin/install-aur-package"
 ## install package dependencies
 ## darcs is not installed by reasons, because it requires a lot haskell packages which dramatically increase image size
diff --git a/docs/configuration.rst b/docs/configuration.rst
index 7feb2955..ccc60350 100644
--- a/docs/configuration.rst
+++ b/docs/configuration.rst
@@ -26,9 +26,11 @@ Base configuration settings.
 
 libalpm and AUR related configuration.
 
-* ``database`` - path to pacman local database cache, string, required.
+* ``database`` - path to pacman system database cache, string, required.
+* ``mirror`` - package database mirror used by pacman for syncronization, string, required. This option supports standard pacman substitutions with ``$arch`` and ``$repo``. Note that the mentioned mirror should contain all repositories which are set by ``alpm.repositories`` option.
 * ``repositories`` - list of pacman repositories, space separated list of strings, required.
 * ``root`` - root for alpm library, string, required.
+* ``use_ahriman_cache`` - use local pacman package cache instead of system one, boolean, required. With this option enabled you might want to refresh database periodically (available as additional flag for some subcommands).
 
 ``auth`` group
 --------------
diff --git a/package/lib/systemd/system/ahriman@.service b/package/lib/systemd/system/ahriman@.service
index 69aac3d9..0fc74ed4 100644
--- a/package/lib/systemd/system/ahriman@.service
+++ b/package/lib/systemd/system/ahriman@.service
@@ -2,6 +2,6 @@
 Description=ArcH linux ReposItory MANager (%I architecture)
 
 [Service]
-ExecStart=/usr/bin/ahriman --architecture %i update
+ExecStart=/usr/bin/ahriman --architecture %i repo-update --refresh
 User=ahriman
 Group=ahriman
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/package/share/ahriman/settings/ahriman.ini b/package/share/ahriman/settings/ahriman.ini
index fb043370..df8ed7a2 100644
--- a/package/share/ahriman/settings/ahriman.ini
+++ b/package/share/ahriman/settings/ahriman.ini
@@ -5,8 +5,10 @@ database = /var/lib/ahriman/ahriman.db
 
 [alpm]
 database = /var/lib/pacman
+mirror = https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/$repo/os/$arch
 repositories = core extra community multilib
 root = /
+use_ahriman_cache = yes
 
 [auth]
 target = disabled
diff --git a/src/ahriman/application/ahriman.py b/src/ahriman/application/ahriman.py
index d36ff462..374bdfc0 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/application/ahriman.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/application/ahriman.py
@@ -160,6 +160,9 @@ def _set_daemon_parser(root: SubParserAction) -> argparse.ArgumentParser:
     parser.add_argument("--no-local", help="do not check local packages for updates", action="store_true")
     parser.add_argument("--no-manual", help="do not include manual updates", action="store_true")
     parser.add_argument("--no-vcs", help="do not check VCS packages", action="store_true")
+    parser.add_argument("-y", "--refresh", help="download fresh package databases from the mirror before actions, "
+                                                "-yy to force refresh even if up to date",
+                        action="count", default=0)
     parser.set_defaults(handler=handlers.Daemon, dry_run=False, exit_code=False, package=[])
     return parser
 
@@ -251,6 +254,9 @@ def _set_package_add_parser(root: SubParserAction) -> argparse.ArgumentParser:
     parser.add_argument("package", help="package source (base name, path to local files, remote URL)", nargs="+")
     parser.add_argument("-e", "--exit-code", help="return non-zero exit status if result is empty", action="store_true")
     parser.add_argument("-n", "--now", help="run update function after", action="store_true")
+    parser.add_argument("-y", "--refresh", help="download fresh package databases from the mirror before actions, "
+                                                "-yy to force refresh even if up to date",
+                        action="count", default=0)
     parser.add_argument("-s", "--source", help="explicitly specify the package source for this command",
                         type=PackageSource, choices=enum_values(PackageSource), default=PackageSource.Auto)
     parser.add_argument("--without-dependencies", help="do not add dependencies", action="store_true")
@@ -467,6 +473,9 @@ def _set_repo_check_parser(root: SubParserAction) -> argparse.ArgumentParser:
     parser.add_argument("package", help="filter check by package base", nargs="*")
     parser.add_argument("-e", "--exit-code", help="return non-zero exit status if result is empty", action="store_true")
     parser.add_argument("--no-vcs", help="do not check VCS packages", action="store_true")
+    parser.add_argument("-y", "--refresh", help="download fresh package databases from the mirror before actions, "
+                                                "-yy to force refresh even if up to date",
+                        action="count", default=0)
     parser.set_defaults(handler=handlers.Update, dry_run=True, no_aur=False, no_local=False, no_manual=True)
     return parser
 
@@ -717,6 +726,9 @@ def _set_repo_update_parser(root: SubParserAction) -> argparse.ArgumentParser:
     parser.add_argument("--no-local", help="do not check local packages for updates", action="store_true")
     parser.add_argument("--no-manual", help="do not include manual updates", action="store_true")
     parser.add_argument("--no-vcs", help="do not check VCS packages", action="store_true")
+    parser.add_argument("-y", "--refresh", help="download fresh package databases from the mirror before actions, "
+                                                "-yy to force refresh even if up to date",
+                        action="count", default=0)
     parser.set_defaults(handler=handlers.Update)
     return parser
 
diff --git a/src/ahriman/application/application/application.py b/src/ahriman/application/application/application.py
index 0ef75c20..e3ae2fe2 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/application/application/application.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/application/application/application.py
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ class Application(ApplicationPackages, ApplicationRepository):
             for package, properties in base.packages.items():
                 known_packages.add(package)
                 known_packages.update(properties.provides)
-        known_packages.update(self.repository.pacman.all_packages())
+        known_packages.update(self.repository.pacman.packages())
         return known_packages
 
     def on_result(self, result: Result) -> None:
diff --git a/src/ahriman/application/application/application_properties.py b/src/ahriman/application/application/application_properties.py
index ff261708..d93dc7bf 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/application/application/application_properties.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/application/application/application_properties.py
@@ -34,7 +34,8 @@ class ApplicationProperties(LazyLogging):
         repository(Repository): repository instance
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, architecture: str, configuration: Configuration, no_report: bool, unsafe: bool) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, architecture: str, configuration: Configuration,
+                 no_report: bool, unsafe: bool, refresh_pacman_database: int = 0) -> None:
         """
         default constructor
 
@@ -43,8 +44,10 @@ class ApplicationProperties(LazyLogging):
             configuration(Configuration): configuration instance
             no_report(bool): force disable reporting
             unsafe(bool): if set no user check will be performed before path creation
+            refresh_pacman_database(int): pacman database syncronization level, ``0`` is disabled
         """
         self.configuration = configuration
         self.architecture = architecture
         self.database = SQLite.load(configuration)
-        self.repository = Repository(architecture, configuration, self.database, no_report, unsafe)
+        self.repository = Repository(architecture, configuration, self.database,
+                                     no_report, unsafe, refresh_pacman_database)
diff --git a/src/ahriman/application/handlers/add.py b/src/ahriman/application/handlers/add.py
index f373b571..1cf5e362 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/application/handlers/add.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/application/handlers/add.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class Add(Handler):
             no_report(bool): force disable reporting
             unsafe(bool): if set no user check will be performed before path creation
         """
-        application = Application(architecture, configuration, no_report, unsafe)
+        application = Application(architecture, configuration, no_report, unsafe, args.refresh)
         application.on_start()
         application.add(args.package, args.source, args.without_dependencies)
         if not args.now:
diff --git a/src/ahriman/application/handlers/update.py b/src/ahriman/application/handlers/update.py
index 77ab11c4..853ca87d 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/application/handlers/update.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/application/handlers/update.py
@@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ class Update(Handler):
             no_report(bool): force disable reporting
             unsafe(bool): if set no user check will be performed before path creation
         """
-        application = Application(architecture, configuration, no_report, unsafe)
+        application = Application(architecture, configuration, no_report, unsafe, args.refresh)
         application.on_start()
         packages = application.updates(args.package, args.no_aur, args.no_local, args.no_manual, args.no_vcs,
                                        Update.log_fn(application, args.dry_run))
diff --git a/src/ahriman/core/alpm/pacman.py b/src/ahriman/core/alpm/pacman.py
index 89fc6fd4..4b8db9c6 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/core/alpm/pacman.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/core/alpm/pacman.py
@@ -17,13 +17,18 @@
 # You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 # along with this program. If not, see <http://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 #
-from pyalpm import Handle, Package, SIG_PACKAGE  # type: ignore
+import shutil
+
+from pathlib import Path
+from pyalpm import DB, Handle, Package, SIG_PACKAGE, error as PyalpmError  # type: ignore
 from typing import Generator, Set
 
 from ahriman.core.configuration import Configuration
+from ahriman.core.lazy_logging import LazyLogging
+from ahriman.models.repository_paths import RepositoryPaths
 
 
-class Pacman:
+class Pacman(LazyLogging):
     """
     alpm wrapper
 
@@ -31,35 +36,96 @@ class Pacman:
         handle(Handle): pyalpm root ``Handle``
     """
 
-    def __init__(self, configuration: Configuration) -> None:
+    def __init__(self, architecture: str, configuration: Configuration, *, refresh_database: int) -> None:
         """
         default constructor
 
         Args:
+            architecture(str): repository architecture
             configuration(Configuration): configuration instance
+            refresh_database(int): synchronize local cache to remote. If set to ``0``, no syncronization will be
+                enabled, if set to ``1`` - normal syncronization, if set to ``2`` - force syncronization
         """
-        root = configuration.get("alpm", "root")
+        root = configuration.getpath("alpm", "root")
         pacman_root = configuration.getpath("alpm", "database")
-        self.handle = Handle(root, str(pacman_root))
-        for repository in configuration.getlist("alpm", "repositories"):
-            self.handle.register_syncdb(repository, SIG_PACKAGE)
+        use_ahriman_cache = configuration.getboolean("alpm", "use_ahriman_cache")
+        mirror = configuration.get("alpm", "mirror")
+        paths = configuration.repository_paths
+        database_path = paths.pacman if use_ahriman_cache else pacman_root
 
-    def all_packages(self) -> Set[str]:
+        self.handle = Handle(str(root), str(database_path))
+        for repository in configuration.getlist("alpm", "repositories"):
+            database = self.database_init(repository, mirror, architecture)
+            self.database_copy(database, pacman_root, paths, use_ahriman_cache=use_ahriman_cache)
+
+        if use_ahriman_cache and refresh_database:
+            self.database_sync(refresh_database > 1)
+
+    def database_copy(self, database: DB, pacman_root: Path, paths: RepositoryPaths, *,
+                      use_ahriman_cache: bool) -> None:
         """
-        get list of packages known for alpm
+        copy database from the operating system root to the ahriman local home
+
+        Args:
+            database(DB): pacman database instance to be copied
+            pacman_root(Path): operating system pacman's root
+            paths(RepositoryPaths): repository paths instance
+            use_ahriman_cache(bool): use local ahriman cache instead of system one
+        """
+        def repository_database(root: Path) -> Path:
+            return root / "sync" / f"{database.name}.db"
+
+        if not use_ahriman_cache:
+            return
+        # copy root database if no local copy found
+        pacman_db_path = Path(self.handle.dbpath)
+        if not pacman_db_path.is_dir():
+            return  # root directory does not exist yet
+        dst = repository_database(pacman_db_path)
+        if dst.is_file():
+            return  # file already exists, do not copy
+        src = repository_database(pacman_root)
+        if not src.is_file():
+            self.logger.warning("repository %s is set to be used, however, no working copy was found", database.name)
+            return  # database for some reasons deos not exist
+        self.logger.info("copy pacman database from operating system root to ahriman's home")
+        shutil.copy(src, dst)
+        paths.chown(dst)
+
+    def database_init(self, repository: str, mirror: str, architecture: str) -> DB:
+        """
+        create database instance from pacman handler and set its properties
+
+        Args:
+            repository(str): pacman repository name (e.g. core)
+            mirror(str): arch linux mirror url
+            architecture(str): repository architecture
 
         Returns:
-            Set[str]: list of package names
+            DB: loaded pacman database instance
         """
-        result: Set[str] = set()
+        database: DB = self.handle.register_syncdb(repository, SIG_PACKAGE)
+        # replace variables in mirror address
+        database.servers = [mirror.replace("$repo", repository).replace("$arch", architecture)]
+        return database
+
+    def database_sync(self, force: bool) -> None:
+        """
+        sync local database
+
+        Args:
+            force(bool): force database syncronization (same as ``pacman -Syy``)
+        """
+        self.logger.info("refresh ahriman's home pacman database (force refresh %s)", force)
+        transaction = self.handle.init_transaction()
         for database in self.handle.get_syncdbs():
-            for package in database.pkgcache:
-                result.add(package.name)  # package itself
-                result.update(package.provides)  # provides list for meta-packages
+            try:
+                database.update(force)
+            except PyalpmError:
+                self.logger.exception("exception during update %s", database.name)
+        transaction.release()
 
-        return result
-
-    def get(self, package_name: str) -> Generator[Package, None, None]:
+    def package_get(self, package_name: str) -> Generator[Package, None, None]:
         """
         retrieve list of the packages from the repository by name
 
@@ -74,3 +140,18 @@ class Pacman:
             if package is None:
                 continue
             yield package
+
+    def packages(self) -> Set[str]:
+        """
+        get list of packages known for alpm
+
+        Returns:
+            Set[str]: list of package names
+        """
+        result: Set[str] = set()
+        for database in self.handle.get_syncdbs():
+            for package in database.pkgcache:
+                result.add(package.name)  # package itself
+                result.update(package.provides)  # provides list for meta-packages
+
+        return result
diff --git a/src/ahriman/core/alpm/remote/official_syncdb.py b/src/ahriman/core/alpm/remote/official_syncdb.py
index f600dff0..0a52b18d 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/core/alpm/remote/official_syncdb.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/core/alpm/remote/official_syncdb.py
@@ -48,4 +48,4 @@ class OfficialSyncdb(Official):
         Returns:
             AURPackage: package which match the package name
         """
-        return next(AURPackage.from_pacman(package) for package in pacman.get(package_name))
+        return next(AURPackage.from_pacman(package) for package in pacman.package_get(package_name))
diff --git a/src/ahriman/core/configuration.py b/src/ahriman/core/configuration.py
index 8602ed9a..ca96b892 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/core/configuration.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/core/configuration.py
@@ -225,14 +225,14 @@ class Configuration(configparser.RawConfigParser):
 
     # pylint and mypy are too stupid to find these methods
     # pylint: disable=missing-function-docstring,multiple-statements,unused-argument
-    def getlist(self, *args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> List[str]: ...
+    def getlist(self, *args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> List[str]: ...  # type: ignore
 
-    def getpath(self, *args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Path: ...
+    def getpath(self, *args: Any, **kwargs: Any) -> Path: ...  # type: ignore
 
     def gettype(self, section: str, architecture: str) -> Tuple[str, str]:
         """
-        get type variable with fallback to old logic
-        Despite the fact that it has same semantics as other get* methods, but it has different argument list
+        get type variable with fallback to old logic. Despite the fact that it has same semantics as other get* methods,
+        but it has different argument list
 
         Args:
             section(str): section name
diff --git a/src/ahriman/core/repository/repository_properties.py b/src/ahriman/core/repository/repository_properties.py
index b2b4587b..13d2d5aa 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/core/repository/repository_properties.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/core/repository/repository_properties.py
@@ -48,7 +48,7 @@ class RepositoryProperties(LazyLogging):
     """
 
     def __init__(self, architecture: str, configuration: Configuration, database: SQLite,
-                 no_report: bool, unsafe: bool) -> None:
+                 no_report: bool, unsafe: bool, refresh_pacman_database: int = 0) -> None:
         """
         default constructor
 
@@ -58,6 +58,7 @@ class RepositoryProperties(LazyLogging):
             database(SQLite): database instance
             no_report(bool): force disable reporting
             unsafe(bool): if set no user check will be performed before path creation
+            refresh_pacman_database(int): pacman database syncronization level, ``0`` is disabled
         """
         self.architecture = architecture
         self.configuration = configuration
@@ -73,7 +74,7 @@ class RepositoryProperties(LazyLogging):
             self.logger.warning("root owner differs from the current user, skipping tree creation")
 
         self.ignore_list = configuration.getlist("build", "ignore_packages", fallback=[])
-        self.pacman = Pacman(configuration)
+        self.pacman = Pacman(architecture, configuration, refresh_database=refresh_pacman_database)
         self.sign = GPG(architecture, configuration)
         self.repo = Repo(self.name, self.paths, self.sign.repository_sign_args)
         self.reporter = Client() if no_report else Client.load(configuration)
diff --git a/src/ahriman/models/aur_package.py b/src/ahriman/models/aur_package.py
index 3aaaeaef..e41faf71 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/models/aur_package.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/models/aur_package.py
@@ -67,8 +67,10 @@ class AURPackage:
             >>>
             >>>
             >>> from ahriman.core.alpm.pacman import Pacman
+            >>> from ahriman.core.configuration import Configuration
             >>>
-            >>> pacman = Pacman(configuration)
+            >>> configuration = Configuration()
+            >>> pacman = Pacman("x86_64", configuration)
             >>> metadata = pacman.get("pacman")
             >>> package = AURPackage.from_pacman(next(metadata))  # load package from pyalpm wrapper
     """
diff --git a/src/ahriman/models/package_description.py b/src/ahriman/models/package_description.py
index 2ff05fda..a59ec612 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/models/package_description.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/models/package_description.py
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class PackageDescription:
             >>> from ahriman.core.configuration import Configuration
             >>>
             >>> configuration = Configuration()
-            >>> pacman = Pacman(configuration)
+            >>> pacman = Pacman("x86_64", configuration)
             >>> pyalpm_description = next(package for package in pacman.get("pacman"))
             >>> description = PackageDescription.from_package(
             >>>     pyalpm_description, Path("/var/cache/pacman/pkg/pacman-6.0.1-4-x86_64.pkg.tar.zst"))
diff --git a/src/ahriman/models/repository_paths.py b/src/ahriman/models/repository_paths.py
index 5338ebba..aaed8164 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/models/repository_paths.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/models/repository_paths.py
@@ -87,6 +87,16 @@ class RepositoryPaths:
         """
         return self.root / "packages" / self.architecture
 
+    @property
+    def pacman(self) -> Path:
+        """
+        get directory for pacman local package cache
+
+        Returns:
+            Path: full path to pacman local database cache
+        """
+        return self.root / "pacman" / self.architecture
+
     @property
     def repository(self) -> Path:
         """
@@ -194,6 +204,7 @@ class RepositoryPaths:
                 self.cache,
                 self.chroot,
                 self.packages,
+                self.pacman / "sync",  # we need sync directory in order to be able to copy databases
                 self.repository,
         ):
             directory.mkdir(mode=0o755, parents=True, exist_ok=True)
diff --git a/src/ahriman/models/user.py b/src/ahriman/models/user.py
index e2bad5f8..bd34c99d 100644
--- a/src/ahriman/models/user.py
+++ b/src/ahriman/models/user.py
@@ -21,8 +21,8 @@ from __future__ import annotations
 
 from dataclasses import dataclass, replace
 from typing import Optional, Type
-from passlib.pwd import genword as generate_password  # type: ignore
-from passlib.handlers.sha2_crypt import sha512_crypt  # type: ignore
+from passlib.pwd import genword as generate_password
+from passlib.handlers.sha2_crypt import sha512_crypt
 
 from ahriman.models.user_access import UserAccess
 
diff --git a/tests/ahriman/application/handlers/test_handler_add.py b/tests/ahriman/application/handlers/test_handler_add.py
index 653e70dc..2594f5f4 100644
--- a/tests/ahriman/application/handlers/test_handler_add.py
+++ b/tests/ahriman/application/handlers/test_handler_add.py
@@ -23,6 +23,7 @@ def _default_args(args: argparse.Namespace) -> argparse.Namespace:
     args.package = []
     args.exit_code = False
     args.now = False
+    args.refresh = 0
     args.source = PackageSource.Auto
     args.without_dependencies = False
     return args
diff --git a/tests/ahriman/application/handlers/test_handler_update.py b/tests/ahriman/application/handlers/test_handler_update.py
index a5466fc3..da93b080 100644
--- a/tests/ahriman/application/handlers/test_handler_update.py
+++ b/tests/ahriman/application/handlers/test_handler_update.py
@@ -28,6 +28,7 @@ def _default_args(args: argparse.Namespace) -> argparse.Namespace:
     args.no_local = False
     args.no_manual = False
     args.no_vcs = False
+    args.refresh = 0
     return args
 
 
diff --git a/tests/ahriman/application/test_ahriman.py b/tests/ahriman/application/test_ahriman.py
index eee20540..6b722b08 100644
--- a/tests/ahriman/application/test_ahriman.py
+++ b/tests/ahriman/application/test_ahriman.py
@@ -75,6 +75,18 @@ def test_subparsers_daemon(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> None:
     assert args.package == []
 
 
+def test_subparsers_daemon_option_refresh(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> None:
+    """
+    daemon command must count refresh options
+    """
+    args = parser.parse_args(["daemon"])
+    assert args.refresh == 0
+    args = parser.parse_args(["daemon", "-y"])
+    assert args.refresh == 1
+    args = parser.parse_args(["daemon", "-yy"])
+    assert args.refresh == 2
+
+
 def test_subparsers_daemon_option_interval(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> None:
     """
     daemon command must convert interval option to int instance
@@ -155,6 +167,18 @@ def test_subparsers_package_add_architecture(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) ->
     assert args.architecture == ["x86_64"]
 
 
+def test_subparsers_package_add_option_refresh(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> None:
+    """
+    package-add command must count refresh options
+    """
+    args = parser.parse_args(["package-add", "ahriman"])
+    assert args.refresh == 0
+    args = parser.parse_args(["package-add", "ahriman", "-y"])
+    assert args.refresh == 1
+    args = parser.parse_args(["package-add", "ahriman", "-yy"])
+    assert args.refresh == 2
+
+
 def test_subparsers_package_remove_architecture(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> None:
     """
     package-remove command must correctly parse architecture list
@@ -345,6 +369,18 @@ def test_subparsers_repo_check_architecture(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) ->
     assert args.architecture == ["x86_64"]
 
 
+def test_subparsers_repo_check_option_refresh(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> None:
+    """
+    repo-check command must count refresh options
+    """
+    args = parser.parse_args(["repo-check"])
+    assert args.refresh == 0
+    args = parser.parse_args(["repo-check", "-y"])
+    assert args.refresh == 1
+    args = parser.parse_args(["repo-check", "-yy"])
+    assert args.refresh == 2
+
+
 def test_subparsers_repo_clean(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> None:
     """
     repo-clean command must imply quiet and unsafe
@@ -540,6 +576,18 @@ def test_subparsers_repo_update_architecture(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) ->
     assert args.architecture == ["x86_64"]
 
 
+def test_subparsers_repo_update_option_refresh(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> None:
+    """
+    repo-update command must count refresh options
+    """
+    args = parser.parse_args(["repo-update"])
+    assert args.refresh == 0
+    args = parser.parse_args(["repo-update", "-y"])
+    assert args.refresh == 1
+    args = parser.parse_args(["repo-update", "-yy"])
+    assert args.refresh == 2
+
+
 def test_subparsers_shell(parser: argparse.ArgumentParser) -> None:
     """
     shell command must imply lock and no-report
diff --git a/tests/ahriman/conftest.py b/tests/ahriman/conftest.py
index efb8d414..d0169a94 100644
--- a/tests/ahriman/conftest.py
+++ b/tests/ahriman/conftest.py
@@ -360,7 +360,7 @@ def pacman(configuration: Configuration) -> Pacman:
     Returns:
         Pacman: pacman wrapper test instance
     """
-    return Pacman(configuration)
+    return Pacman("x86_64", configuration, refresh_database=0)
 
 
 @pytest.fixture
diff --git a/tests/ahriman/core/alpm/remote/test_official_syncdb.py b/tests/ahriman/core/alpm/remote/test_official_syncdb.py
index 1ef0e6a4..c20951e4 100644
--- a/tests/ahriman/core/alpm/remote/test_official_syncdb.py
+++ b/tests/ahriman/core/alpm/remote/test_official_syncdb.py
@@ -11,7 +11,7 @@ def test_package_info(official_syncdb: OfficialSyncdb, aur_package_akonadi: AURP
     must return package info from the database
     """
     mocker.patch("ahriman.models.aur_package.AURPackage.from_pacman", return_value=aur_package_akonadi)
-    get_mock = mocker.patch("ahriman.core.alpm.pacman.Pacman.get", return_value=[aur_package_akonadi])
+    get_mock = mocker.patch("ahriman.core.alpm.pacman.Pacman.package_get", return_value=[aur_package_akonadi])
 
     package = official_syncdb.package_info(aur_package_akonadi.name, pacman=pacman)
     get_mock.assert_called_once_with(aur_package_akonadi.name)
diff --git a/tests/ahriman/core/alpm/test_pacman.py b/tests/ahriman/core/alpm/test_pacman.py
index e2df983c..9ed5373a 100644
--- a/tests/ahriman/core/alpm/test_pacman.py
+++ b/tests/ahriman/core/alpm/test_pacman.py
@@ -1,31 +1,205 @@
+from pathlib import Path
+from pyalpm import error as PyalpmError
+from pytest_mock import MockerFixture
+from tempfile import TemporaryDirectory
+from unittest.mock import MagicMock
+
 from ahriman.core.alpm.pacman import Pacman
+from ahriman.core.configuration import Configuration
+from ahriman.models.repository_paths import RepositoryPaths
 
 
-def test_all_packages(pacman: Pacman) -> None:
+def test_init_with_local_cache(configuration: Configuration, mocker: MockerFixture) -> None:
+    """
+    must sync repositories at the start if set
+    """
+    mocker.patch("ahriman.core.alpm.pacman.Pacman.database_copy")
+    sync_mock = mocker.patch("ahriman.core.alpm.pacman.Pacman.database_sync")
+    configuration.set_option("alpm", "use_ahriman_cache", "yes")
+
+    # pyalpm.Handle is trying to reach the directory we've asked, thus we need to patch it a bit
+    with TemporaryDirectory(ignore_cleanup_errors=True) as pacman_root:
+        mocker.patch.object(RepositoryPaths, "pacman", Path(pacman_root))
+        # during the creation pyalpm.Handle will create also version file which we would like to remove later
+        Pacman("x86_64", configuration, refresh_database=1)
+        sync_mock.assert_called_once_with(False)
+
+
+def test_init_with_local_cache_forced(configuration: Configuration, mocker: MockerFixture) -> None:
+    """
+    must sync repositories at the start if set with force flag
+    """
+    mocker.patch("ahriman.core.alpm.pacman.Pacman.database_copy")
+    sync_mock = mocker.patch("ahriman.core.alpm.pacman.Pacman.database_sync")
+    configuration.set_option("alpm", "use_ahriman_cache", "yes")
+
+    # pyalpm.Handle is trying to reach the directory we've asked, thus we need to patch it a bit
+    with TemporaryDirectory(ignore_cleanup_errors=True) as pacman_root:
+        mocker.patch.object(RepositoryPaths, "pacman", Path(pacman_root))
+        # during the creation pyalpm.Handle will create also version file which we would like to remove later
+        Pacman("x86_64", configuration, refresh_database=2)
+        sync_mock.assert_called_once_with(True)
+
+
+def test_database_copy(pacman: Pacman, repository_paths: RepositoryPaths, mocker: MockerFixture) -> None:
+    """
+    must copy database from root
+    """
+    database = next(db for db in pacman.handle.get_syncdbs() if db.name == "core")
+    path = Path("randomname")
+    dst_path = Path("/var/lib/pacman/sync/core.db")
+    mocker.patch("pathlib.Path.is_dir", return_value=True)
+    # root database exists, local database does not
+    mocker.patch("pathlib.Path.is_file", autospec=True, side_effect=lambda p: True if p.is_relative_to(path) else False)
+    copy_mock = mocker.patch("shutil.copy")
+    chown_mock = mocker.patch("ahriman.models.repository_paths.RepositoryPaths.chown")
+
+    pacman.database_copy(database, path, repository_paths, use_ahriman_cache=True)
+    copy_mock.assert_called_once_with(path / "sync" / "core.db", dst_path)
+    chown_mock.assert_called_once_with(dst_path)
+
+
+def test_database_copy_skip(pacman: Pacman, repository_paths: RepositoryPaths, mocker: MockerFixture) -> None:
+    """
+    must do not copy database from root if local cache is disabled
+    """
+    database = next(db for db in pacman.handle.get_syncdbs() if db.name == "core")
+    path = Path("randomname")
+    mocker.patch("pathlib.Path.is_dir", return_value=True)
+    # root database exists, local database does not
+    mocker.patch("pathlib.Path.is_file", autospec=True, side_effect=lambda p: True if p.is_relative_to(path) else False)
+    copy_mock = mocker.patch("shutil.copy")
+
+    pacman.database_copy(database, path, repository_paths, use_ahriman_cache=False)
+    copy_mock.assert_not_called()
+
+
+def test_database_copy_no_directory(pacman: Pacman, repository_paths: RepositoryPaths, mocker: MockerFixture) -> None:
+    """
+    must do not copy database if local cache already exists
+    """
+    database = next(db for db in pacman.handle.get_syncdbs() if db.name == "core")
+    path = Path("randomname")
+    mocker.patch("pathlib.Path.is_dir", return_value=False)
+    # root database exists, local database does not
+    mocker.patch("pathlib.Path.is_file", autospec=True, side_effect=lambda p: True if p.is_relative_to(path) else False)
+    copy_mock = mocker.patch("shutil.copy")
+
+    pacman.database_copy(database, path, repository_paths, use_ahriman_cache=True)
+    copy_mock.assert_not_called()
+
+
+def test_database_copy_no_root_file(pacman: Pacman, repository_paths: RepositoryPaths, mocker: MockerFixture) -> None:
+    """
+    must do not copy database if no repository file exists in filesystem
+    """
+    database = next(db for db in pacman.handle.get_syncdbs() if db.name == "core")
+    path = Path("randomname")
+    mocker.patch("pathlib.Path.is_dir", return_value=True)
+    # root database does not exist, local database does not either
+    mocker.patch("pathlib.Path.is_file", return_value=False)
+    copy_mock = mocker.patch("shutil.copy")
+
+    pacman.database_copy(database, path, repository_paths, use_ahriman_cache=True)
+    copy_mock.assert_not_called()
+
+
+def test_database_copy_database_exist(pacman: Pacman, repository_paths: RepositoryPaths, mocker: MockerFixture) -> None:
+    """
+    must do not copy database if local cache already exists
+    """
+    database = next(db for db in pacman.handle.get_syncdbs() if db.name == "core")
+    mocker.patch("pathlib.Path.is_dir", return_value=True)
+    # root database exists, local database does either
+    mocker.patch("pathlib.Path.is_file", return_value=True)
+    copy_mock = mocker.patch("shutil.copy")
+
+    pacman.database_copy(database, Path("root"), repository_paths, use_ahriman_cache=True)
+    copy_mock.assert_not_called()
+
+
+def test_database_init(pacman: Pacman, configuration: Configuration) -> None:
+    """
+    must init database with settings
+    """
+    mirror = configuration.get("alpm", "mirror")
+    database = pacman.database_init("test", mirror, "x86_64")
+    assert len(database.servers) == 1
+
+
+def test_database_sync(pacman: Pacman) -> None:
+    """
+    must sync databases
+    """
+    handle_mock = MagicMock()
+    core_mock = MagicMock()
+    extra_mock = MagicMock()
+    transaction_mock = MagicMock()
+    handle_mock.get_syncdbs.return_value = [core_mock, extra_mock]
+    handle_mock.init_transaction.return_value = transaction_mock
+    pacman.handle = handle_mock
+
+    pacman.database_sync(False)
+    handle_mock.init_transaction.assert_called_once_with()
+    core_mock.update.assert_called_once_with(False)
+    extra_mock.update.assert_called_once_with(False)
+    transaction_mock.release.assert_called_once_with()
+
+
+def test_database_sync_failed(pacman: Pacman) -> None:
+    """
+    must sync databases even if there was exception
+    """
+    handle_mock = MagicMock()
+    core_mock = MagicMock()
+    core_mock.update.side_effect = PyalpmError()
+    extra_mock = MagicMock()
+    handle_mock.get_syncdbs.return_value = [core_mock, extra_mock]
+    pacman.handle = handle_mock
+
+    pacman.database_sync(False)
+    extra_mock.update.assert_called_once_with(False)
+
+
+def test_database_sync_forced(pacman: Pacman) -> None:
+    """
+    must sync databases with force flag
+    """
+    handle_mock = MagicMock()
+    core_mock = MagicMock()
+    handle_mock.get_syncdbs.return_value = [core_mock]
+    pacman.handle = handle_mock
+
+    pacman.database_sync(True)
+    handle_mock.init_transaction.assert_called_once_with()
+    core_mock.update.assert_called_once_with(True)
+
+
+def test_package_get(pacman: Pacman) -> None:
+    """
+    must retrieve package
+    """
+    assert list(pacman.package_get("pacman"))
+
+
+def test_package_get_empty(pacman: Pacman) -> None:
+    """
+    must return empty packages list without exception
+    """
+    assert not list(pacman.package_get("some-random-name"))
+
+
+def test_packages(pacman: Pacman) -> None:
     """
     package list must not be empty
     """
-    packages = pacman.all_packages()
+    packages = pacman.packages()
     assert packages
     assert "pacman" in packages
 
 
-def test_all_packages_with_provides(pacman: Pacman) -> None:
+def test_packages_with_provides(pacman: Pacman) -> None:
     """
     package list must contain provides packages
     """
-    assert "sh" in pacman.all_packages()
-
-
-def test_get(pacman: Pacman) -> None:
-    """
-    must retrieve package
-    """
-    assert list(pacman.get("pacman"))
-
-
-def test_get_empty(pacman: Pacman) -> None:
-    """
-    must return empty packages list without exception
-    """
-    assert not list(pacman.get("some-random-name"))
+    assert "sh" in pacman.packages()
diff --git a/tests/ahriman/models/test_repository_paths.py b/tests/ahriman/models/test_repository_paths.py
index e693b782..ef737152 100644
--- a/tests/ahriman/models/test_repository_paths.py
+++ b/tests/ahriman/models/test_repository_paths.py
@@ -154,9 +154,5 @@ def test_tree_create(repository_paths: RepositoryPaths, mocker: MockerFixture) -
     chown_mock = mocker.patch("ahriman.models.repository_paths.RepositoryPaths.chown")
 
     repository_paths.tree_create()
-    mkdir_mock.assert_has_calls(
-        [
-            mock.call(mode=0o755, parents=True, exist_ok=True)
-            for _ in paths
-        ], any_order=True)
-    chown_mock.assert_has_calls([mock.call(getattr(repository_paths, path)) for path in paths], any_order=True)
+    mkdir_mock.assert_has_calls([mock.call(mode=0o755, parents=True, exist_ok=True) for _ in paths], any_order=True)
+    chown_mock.assert_has_calls([mock.call(pytest.helpers.anyvar(int)) for _ in paths], any_order=True)
diff --git a/tests/testresources/core/ahriman.ini b/tests/testresources/core/ahriman.ini
index de865840..d33bf6f9 100644
--- a/tests/testresources/core/ahriman.ini
+++ b/tests/testresources/core/ahriman.ini
@@ -5,8 +5,10 @@ database = ../../../ahriman-test.db
 
 [alpm]
 database = /var/lib/pacman
+mirror = https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/$repo/os/$arch
 repositories = core extra community multilib
 root = /
+use_ahriman_cache = no
 
 [auth]
 client_id = client_id