A package manager makes it easy to install and update applications on your Macintosh. There are at least nine package managers for the Macintosh. There's the oldies, Fink and Macports, the relatively new Nix, but my favorite is Homebrew. h[ttps://brew.sh](https://brew.sh)
If you've seen our last two episodes, you're ready to install and use Brew. Brew is a command line utility. You'll use the Terminal to install it and run its commands, although most of the programs it can install are standard Mac GUI applications.
Let's start by installing Brew. Here is the command :
/bin/bash -c /"(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/install.sh)/"
(Save yourself some typing time by copying this command from the Brew web page and pasting it into a terminal.)
Since most of Brew's installation tools are built from source code, you'll need Apple's free Xcode installer and the Xcode command-line tools.
You can now install one of hundreds of predefined /"formula/" for virtually any UNIX tool.
[Homebrew Formulas](https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/)
using the command
brewing plant (package)
You can remove it using the uninstall command
Brew uninstallation (package)
The command
beer doctor
Verifies that Brew is correctly installed and working.
One of the nice things about Brew is that it installs everything in its own directory, then puts a shortcut in the /usr/local directory, where it won't conflict with Apple-installed programs. Most of the UNIX tools that Apple ships with macOS are older and outdated. Brew will install the latest version of the program without replacing Apple's preinstalled program, so nothing breaks. It's easy to remove any Brew package without disrupting macOS.
There are a few other commands that are useful to know.
Mac GUI applications are available with the Brew Cask install command. For example, Brew Cask, install Firefox
Brew List will show you all the brew packages you have installed.
To find a package in the Brew database, use the Brew Search command.
Brew Upgrade will update all packages you have installed. You'll want to run it every so often to make sure everything is up to date.
My Mac has dozens of Brew packages installed. Some goodies include:
python
milking cow
my favorite shells
looks
neofetch
How can I
nnn
tldr
wget
magic wormhole
To learn more about the man Brew type of brewing
Next week I'll be using Brew and something called Brewfile to set up a new Mac from scratch.
Also, for next week, install mas. It's an easy way to install and update apps from the Mac App Store.
Léo Laporte gives you useful tips to get the most out of your Mac every week on Hands-On Mac.
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