However, minimal example of @IanButterworth works:
(@v1.7) pkg> activate --temp
Activating new project at `/tmp/jl_Cx0fcj`
(jl_Cx0fcj) pkg> add Example
Updating registry at `~/.julia/registries/General`
Updating git-repo `https://github.com/JuliaRegistries/General.git`
Resolving package versions...
Installed Example ─ v0.5.3
Updating `/tmp/jl_Cx0fcj/Project.toml`
[7876af07] + Example v0.5.3
Updating `/tmp/jl_Cx0fcj/Manifest.toml`
[7876af07] + Example v0.5.3
Precompiling project...
1 dependency successfully precompiled in 0 seconds
(jl_Cx0fcj) pkg> st
Status `/tmp/jl_Cx0fcj/Project.toml`
[7876af07] Example v0.5.3
shell> rm -rf ~/.julia/packages/Example
(jl_Cx0fcj) pkg> st
Status `/tmp/jl_Cx0fcj/Project.toml`
→ [7876af07] Example v0.5.3
Info packages marked with → not downloaded, use `instantiate` to download
Hi!
When I download a big repo and activate it, it doesn't display the missing packages.
I also observed that on 1.6.2, 1.6.0 and 1.6.5
However, minimal example of @IanButterworth works: