What is Homebrew?
root
Jun 15 2026
Homebrew is the most popular package manager for macOS (and Linux). It lets you install, update, and manage software from the command line — tools that aren't bundled with the OS or available in the App Store.
Its motto says it all: "The missing package manager for macOS."
Installation
Open your Terminal and run:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
This script installs Homebrew and its dependency, the Xcode Command Line Tools.
Core Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
brew install <package> |
Install a package |
brew uninstall <package> |
Remove a package |
brew update |
Update Homebrew itself |
brew upgrade |
Upgrade all installed packages |
brew search <term> |
Search for available packages |
brew list |
List installed packages |
brew doctor |
Check for system issues |
Homebrew Cask
Homebrew also supports Cask, an extension for installing macOS GUI applications:
brew install --cask visual-studio-code
brew install --cask google-chrome
Why Use Homebrew?
- Free and open-source
- Thousands of packages available
- Simple, consistent CLI interface
- Easy to keep everything up to date
root
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