I use texlive under linux . 1) I have an installation from texlive with context under /usr3/TeX 2) I have this script PATH=/usr3/TeX/bin/i386-linux:$PATH So when I want use this installation, I open a shell and write $>export PATH=/usr3/TeX/bin/i386-linux:$PATH Now /usr3/TeX become 'standard tex' in this shell only. 3) when I have a new pdfetex, i compile it and install binary and pool where appropriate; after that 3a) $>mktexlsr 3b) ) I remade efmt with $>fmtutil --byfmt pdfetex ; mktexlsr 5) when there are new files from pragma for context, 5a) I download them (*.zip) 5b) I put them under /usr3/TeX/texmf-dist 5c) I unzip them all 5d) $>mktexlsr 5e) I made some modification cont-sys.ori -> cont-sys.tex and so on 5f) $>fmtutil --byfmt cont-en ; mktexlsr Seem to be all ok .