# Homebrew — The brew Package Manager for macOS and Linux > Practical guide to Homebrew (brew) — install, update, and manage formulae and casks, plus services and Brewfile setups on macOS and Linux. Source: https://www.jpkc.com/db/en/cheatsheets/package-managers/brew/ Homebrew is "the missing package manager" for macOS – and it has long run on Linux too. With the `brew` command you install, update, and remove command-line tools without worrying about compiler flags or system paths. Homebrew distinguishes two worlds: **formulae** are classic CLI packages, while **casks** deliver ready-made GUI applications to the Mac. This guide walks you through the commands you actually reach for day to day – from installing through updates and dependencies to services and reproducible setups via a Brewfile. ## Install & Search `brew install ` — Install a command-line package (formula). ```bash brew install wget ``` `brew install --cask ` — Install a GUI application (cask, macOS only). ```bash brew install --cask firefox ``` `brew search ` — Search for packages by name. ```bash brew search node ``` `brew info ` — Show detailed info about a package. ```bash brew info nginx ``` `brew home ` — Open the homepage of a package in a browser. ```bash brew home git ``` ## Update & Upgrade `brew update` — Update Homebrew and all tap repositories. ```bash brew update ``` `brew upgrade` — Upgrade all installed packages to latest versions. ```bash brew upgrade ``` `brew upgrade ` — Upgrade a specific package. ```bash brew upgrade node ``` `brew outdated` — List installed packages with available updates. ```bash brew outdated ``` `brew pin ` — Pin a package to prevent upgrading. ```bash brew pin postgresql@15 ``` `brew unpin ` — Unpin a package to allow upgrading. ```bash brew unpin postgresql@15 ``` ## Uninstall & Cleanup `brew uninstall ` — Uninstall a package. ```bash brew uninstall wget ``` `brew uninstall --cask ` — Uninstall a cask application. ```bash brew uninstall --cask firefox ``` `brew cleanup` — Remove old versions and clear download cache. ```bash brew cleanup ``` `brew cleanup -s` — Scrub the cache including latest versions. ```bash brew cleanup -s ``` `brew autoremove` — Remove unused dependencies (orphans). ```bash brew autoremove ``` ## List & Dependencies `brew list` — List all installed formulae. ```bash brew list ``` `brew list --cask` — List all installed casks. ```bash brew list --cask ``` `brew deps ` — Show dependencies of a package. ```bash brew deps nginx ``` `brew deps --tree ` — Show dependency tree. ```bash brew deps --tree php ``` `brew uses --installed ` — Show which installed packages depend on a formula. ```bash brew uses --installed openssl ``` `brew leaves` — List packages that are not dependencies of other packages. ```bash brew leaves ``` ## Services `brew services list` — List all managed services and their status. ```bash brew services list ``` `brew services start ` — Start a service (and register for login). ```bash brew services start postgresql@15 ``` `brew services stop ` — Stop a service (and deregister). ```bash brew services stop postgresql@15 ``` `brew services restart ` — Restart a service. ```bash brew services restart nginx ``` `brew services run ` — Start a service without registering for login. ```bash brew services run redis ``` ## Taps & Diagnostics `brew tap` — List all installed taps (third-party repositories). ```bash brew tap ``` `brew tap /` — Add a third-party tap. ```bash brew tap homebrew/cask-fonts ``` `brew untap /` — Remove a tap. ```bash brew untap homebrew/cask-fonts ``` `brew doctor` — Check for potential problems with the installation. ```bash brew doctor ``` `brew config` — Show Homebrew and system configuration. ```bash brew config ``` `brew bundle dump` — Generate a Brewfile from currently installed packages. ```bash brew bundle dump --file=~/Brewfile ``` `brew bundle install` — Install all packages from a Brewfile. ```bash brew bundle install --file=~/Brewfile ``` ## Conclusion Homebrew takes the tedious manual work out of installing software and keeps your system current with a quick `brew update && brew upgrade`. Never run `brew` with sudo – Homebrew deliberately works inside its own directory, and `sudo` will break its permissions. Commands like `brew cleanup` and `brew uninstall` delete files irreversibly, and casks download executable binaries from the internet – so only install what you recognize from a trusted source. For reproducible setups, a version-controlled Brewfile pays off: generate it once with `brew bundle dump`, then recreate the exact same environment on any new machine with `brew bundle install`. ## Further Reading - [brew.sh](https://brew.sh/) – official project site with installation instructions - [docs.brew.sh](https://docs.brew.sh/) – detailed documentation and reference - [Homebrew – GitHub project](https://github.com/Homebrew/brew) – source code, releases and issues ## Related Commands - [apk](https://www.jpkc.com/db/en/cheatsheets/package-managers/apk/) – Alpine Linux package manager, lean and fast - [apt](https://www.jpkc.com/db/en/cheatsheets/package-managers/apt/) – modern package management for Debian and Ubuntu - [apt-get](https://www.jpkc.com/db/en/cheatsheets/package-managers/apt-get/) – classic APT tool for scripts and automation