# Homebrew

> Homebrew macOS/Linux package manager. Use for system tools.

- Skill: `g1joshi/homebrew` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add g1joshi/homebrew`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/g1joshi/homebrew/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: G1Joshi (https://skillmd.com/u/g1joshi)
- Updated: 2026-09-10
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/g1joshi/homebrew

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# Homebrew

Homebrew is the standard package manager for macOS. v4.2 (2025) is faster (JSON API) and supports declarative `Brewfile`.

## When to Use

- **macOS Dev Setup**: Installing Node, Python, Git, Docker, Postgres.
- **Casks**: Installing GUI apps (VS Code, Slack, Chrome).
- **Dotfiles**: Automating machine setup.

## Quick Start

```bash
# Install wget
brew install wget

# Install VS Code (Cask)
brew install --cask visual-studio-code
```

## Core Concepts

### Formulae

CLI tools compiled from source (or bottles).

### Casks

macOS native applications (drag-and-drop apps automation).

### Brewfile

Dependency list. `brew bundle` installs everything listed.

## Best Practices (2025)

**Do**:

- **Use Brewfile**: Commit a `Brewfile` to your dotfiles repo. `brew bundle dump` generates it.
- **Cleanup**: `brew cleanup` frees up GBs of old versions.
- **Pin versions**: If you need stability, use `brew pin postgresql@14`.

**Don't**:

- **Don't run as sudo**: Homebrew manages permissions.

## References

- [Homebrew Documentation](https://brew.sh/)