https://github.com/techstackspace/developers-setting
Homebrew Instalation and Usage Guide
https://github.com/techstackspace/developers-setting
cli dependencies git gui homebrew linux mac macos packages software
Last synced: about 1 month ago
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Homebrew Instalation and Usage Guide
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/techstackspace/developers-setting
- Owner: techstackspace
- Created: 2025-04-03T22:47:20.000Z (10 months ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2025-07-13T17:46:38.000Z (7 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2025-09-08T07:42:11.806Z (5 months ago)
- Topics: cli, dependencies, git, gui, homebrew, linux, mac, macos, packages, software
- Language: Ruby
- Homepage: https://dev.to/bello/homebrew-installation-and-usage-guide-5b6j
- Size: 26.4 KB
- Stars: 0
- Watchers: 1
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Funding: .github/FUNDING.yml
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README
# Homebrew Installation and Usage Guide
[](https://youtu.be/rCSUX_YiMpY?si=O9Bi0Z4WLnQoLmBq)
## What is Homebrew?
Homebrew (often called brew) is a package manager for macOS and Linux that allows users to easily install, update, and manage software applications and command-line tools.
## Checking Your Default Shell
Before installing Homebrew, it's essential to verify which shell you are using. Run:
```sh
echo $SHELL # or
echo $0
```
If you're using Zsh (which is the default on modern macOS versions), you may need to configure certain environment variables differently than in Bash.
### (Optional) Switch to Zsh
If your default shell is not Zsh, you can switch using:
```sh
cat /etc/shells # List available shells
chsh -s /bin/zsh # Change default shell to Zsh
```
Close the terminal and reopen it for changes to take effect.
---
## Prerequisites
Before you start installing and using Homebrew to manage packages, make sure you have the **Command Line Tools (CTL)** installed by running the following command:
- Check if CTL is installed:
```sh
xcode-select -p
```
If it does not return a valid installation path or shows an error like "command not found", install CTL using:
```sh
xcode-select --install
```
This will prompt a macOS dialog to install the necessary tools. Follow the instructions and wait for the installation to complete.
## Installing Homebrew
### Step 1: Open the Homebrew Website
Run:
```sh
xdg-open https://brew.sh # Linux
open https://brew.sh # macOS
```
Or visit [Homebrew](https://brew.sh) manually.
### Step 2: Copy and Run the Installation Command
Copy the installation script from the website and run it in your terminal:
```sh
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
```
- You may need to enter your password to allow `sudo` access.
- Follow interactive instructions to add Homebrew to your `PATH`.
- To **uninstall** Homebrew, replace `/install.sh/` with `/uninstall.sh/` in the command.
- Before uninstalling Homebrew, first remove all installed packages to avoid orphaned files.
### Step 3: Configure Environment Variables
Since `zprofile` loads once per login session, set the Homebrew path there:
```sh
cat ~/.zprofile # View existing configurations
```
To modify it, use:
```sh
vim ~/.zprofile # or
nano ~/.zprofile
```
If Homebrew is uninstalled, ensure you remove its path from `.zprofile` or `.zshrc` to prevent errors.
### Step 4: Verify Installation
Run:
```sh
brew --prefix # Confirm Homebrew’s location
brew -v # Check installed version
```
---
## Installing Git Using Homebrew
Even though Git is preinstalled on macOS and Linux, installing it via Homebrew ensures easier updates.
```sh
brew search git # Search for Git
brew install git # Install Git
brew install --formula git # Explicitly install as a formula
```
During installation, dependencies like `gettext`, `pcre2`, and `libunistring` may also be installed.
### Verify Installation
```sh
git --version # Check Git version
which git # Locate Git installation
```
---
## Understanding Homebrew Package Types
Homebrew has two main package types:
- **Formulae** (command-line tools, e.g., `git`)
- **Casks** (GUI applications, e.g., `Arc Browser`)
To install a cask package:
```sh
brew search arc # Search for Arc Browser
brew install --cask arc # Install Arc Browser
```
Good practice: Always use `--cask` when installing GUI apps.
### Listing Installed Packages
```sh
brew list # List installed packages
brew list | grep git # Filter results using `grep`
```
### Managing Homebrew Packages
Before upgrading or removing Homebrew packages, ensure Terminal has necessary permissions:
- Go to **Apple icon → Privacy & Security → App Management**
- Toggle the button for **Terminal**
#### Upgrade Packages
```sh
brew upgrade --cask arc # Upgrade a specific package
brew upgrade --greedy # Upgrade all dependencies
```
#### Uninstall Packages
```sh
brew uninstall --formula # Remove a formula package
brew uninstall --cask # Remove a cask package
brew uninstall --zap --cask # Extra cleanup for GUI apps
```
> The `--zap` flag in `brew uninstall` should only be used for cask packages (GUI applications)
#### Cleanup Unused Packages
```sh
brew cleanup # Free up space by removing old versions
brew autoremove # Remove orphaned dependencies
```
---
## Exploring Homebrew Commands
```sh
brew help # View basic commands
brew info # Get details about a package
man brew # View all available commands
brew home # Open Homebrew homepage
brew docs # Open Homebrew documentation
```
For searching packages manually, visit [Homebrew Formulae](https://formulae.brew.sh).
---
## User-Specific Settings: Opening Websites from Terminal
To avoid typing `https://` every time, add this function to your `~/.zshrc` (for Zsh) or `~/.bashrc` (for Bash):
### macOS (Uses `open`)
```sh
oh() {
local input="$*"
if [[ "$input" =~ ^[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\.[a-zA-Z]{2,}$ && ! "$input" =~ \ ]]; then
open "https://$input"
else
open "https://www.google.com/search?q=$(echo "$input" | tr ' ' '+')"
fi
}
```
### Linux (Uses `xdg-open`)
```sh
oh() {
local input="$*"
if [[ "$input" =~ ^[a-zA-Z0-9.-]+\.[a-zA-Z]{2,}$ && ! "$input" =~ [[:space:]] ]]; then
xdg-open "https://$input"
else
xdg-open "https://www.google.com/search?q=$(echo "$input" | tr ' ' '+')"
fi
}
```
Source the file to apply changes:
```sh
source ~/.zshrc # or source ~/.bashrc
```
Now, simply typing `brew.sh` will open the Homebrew website!
---
This guide ensures a smooth Homebrew installation and management experience. 🚀