====== pkg: cached package size mismatch ======

Freebsd's pkg system is wonderfully handy. However, on occasion, problems may arise. In this case we're looking at 

<code>
pkg: cached package XXX: size mismatch, cannot continue
</code>

The error message goes on to suggest running

<code>
pkg update -f
</code>

This forces a download of the repository catalog, (or catalogue if you are not in the US). Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

I came across a [[https://forums.FreeBSD.org/threads/pkg-1-3-0-size-mismatch-cannot-continue.47444/post-265056|post]] on the [[https://forums.freebsd.org|FreeBSD Forums]] that has worked for me in several situations.

According to "SirDice"
<code>
pkg clean # cleans /var/cache/pkg/
rm -rf /var/cache/pkg/* # just remove it all
pkg update -f # forces update  of repository catalog
rm /var/db/pkg/repo-*.sqlite # removes all remote repository catalogs
pkg bootstrap -f # forces reinstall of pkg
</code>

<alert type="warning">With the caveat that you do NOT delete /var/db/pkg/local.sqlite.</alert>

Thank you SirDice!