If you pass a file as parameter to apt install, like: apt install ./package.deb It will work, at least on buster.
A partial "mea culpa" ;/ > I was completely focused on Debian tools and never thought of searching > the whole web. > > My gut feeling is still there should be a way to use Debian tools. > It would be nice if this was documented on the apt manpage, i have a strong feeling that it's just a matter of opening a bug report asking for it, or even better, sending a patch to the maintainers. Whatever suits you better. Regards, -- Samuel Henrique <samueloph>