2 files changed, 25 insertions, 0 deletions

diff --git a/math/sage/files/optional-packages.txt b/math/sage/files/optional-packages.txt
new file mode 100644
index 000000000000..439e4f048218
--- /dev/null
+++ b/math/sage/files/optional-packages.txt
@@ -0,0 +1,23 @@
+Sage comes with optional packages.  Unfortunately they have to be downloaded
+and installed after the port is built, and preferably before the port is
+installed (see note 4).  But because of the security risk of downloading files
+without checksums, they can only be installed manually as follows:
+
+cd /usr/ports/math/sage
+make
+work/sage-*/sage -optional			# See note 1.
+work/sage-*/sage -i $OPTIONAL_PACKAGE_NAME	# See note 2.
+make install					# See note 3.
+
+1.  This command gives a list of the optional packages available.
+2.  This will download and install the optional package.  Not all packages
+    build properly, but if they don't build they won't be installed.
+3.  All the files associated with the installed optional packages will be
+    included in the plist file, and so will be deinstalled along with
+    everything else when the pkg_delete command is used.
+4.  You can also try installing the packages AFTER the port is installed,
+    but for some reason this doesn't always work.
+
+AND
+
+5.  Install and use these at your own risk.
diff --git a/math/sage/pkg-descr b/math/sage/pkg-descr
index b7fea2d7b67a..77e71c3fed6b 100644
--- a/math/sage/pkg-descr
+++ b/math/sage/pkg-descr
@@ -5,4 +5,6 @@ Python-based interface.
 Mission: Creating a viable free open source alternative to Magma, Maple,
 Mathematica and Matlab.
 
+For instructions on adding optional packages, see files/optional-packages.txt.
+
 WWW: http://www.sagemath.org/