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

pkg: cached package XXX: size mismatch, cannot continue

The error message goes on to suggest running

pkg update -f

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 post on the FreeBSD Forums that has worked for me in several situations.

According to “SirDice”

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

With the caveat that you do NOT delete /var/db/pkg/local.sqlite.

Thank you SirDice!