Homebrew (BrewUI)

BrewUI is Homebrew's official macOS graphical interface, distributed as Homebrew.app. It helps users who prefer a native interface discover and manage Homebrew packages while showing the underlying Terminal commands and output. The GUI is separate from the Homebrew command-line package manager.

Features

• Browse and search installed packages, with formula and cask views and package details.
• Discover packages and inspect available upgrades.
• Install, upgrade and uninstall supported packages through Homebrew operations.
• Inspect dependencies, dependent packages and package metadata.
• Run Homebrew diagnostics through Doctor and review Configuration reports.
• View and copy commands and preserve operation output in the built-in console.

Installation and first use

Install brew install --cask homebrew-app, then open Homebrew.app from Applications. A working Homebrew installation must exist separately: installing this GUI cask does not replace the package manager. Use Installed to inspect existing packages, Discover to find packages and Upgrades to review available upgrades. Review the displayed command before changing software. Version 0.5.0 updates Homebrew before checking for outdated packages, so checking upgrades can also refresh Homebrew metadata.

Requirements and configuration

BrewUI 0.5.0 requires macOS 26.0 or later. Homebrew's cask lists both Intel and Apple Silicon variants for current supported Mac releases. It is a Mac-only SwiftUI application; there is no official Windows, Linux, Android or iOS build of this GUI. Homebrew's separate command-line support on Linux does not imply Linux support for BrewUI. The cask declares the macOS minimum but no additional formula dependency. In practice the app needs separately installed, working Homebrew and the tools required by Homebrew and the packages you choose. Swift, Mint and Xcode requirements in contributor setup are for building the app, not additional runtime requirements for the downloaded release. The project does not publish fixed RAM or installed-storage minimums; managed packages require their own resources.

Configure Homebrew through brew.env files, such as ~/.homebrew/brew.env, and relaunch the app after changes. Shell aliases, exported login-shell variables and custom PATH settings do not configure BrewUI's isolated Homebrew environment. Its Configuration and Doctor reports can therefore differ from a Terminal session. Use literal NAME=value lines in brew.env, rather than shell commands.

Conflicts and package operations

The cask declares no named package conflict, which does not guarantee compatibility with every third-party setup. An existing Homebrew.app in Applications can occupy the same install location. Package operations change the same Homebrew installation used by Terminal; individual packages can have dependencies, conflicts, licenses, privileged installation steps or service-specific requirements. Optional zap cleanup removes this app's preferences and caches. It does not mean all Homebrew-managed software should be removed.

Accounts, costs and license

BrewUI is free and open source; ordinary package management does not require an app account or subscription. Network access is needed for catalogue data and downloads. Third-party software installed through Homebrew has its own fees, accounts and licenses. BrewUI's source is licensed under AGPL-3.0, including the applicable network-use provision for adapted software. Homebrew's branding is distinct from source-code licensing.

Official references

• Project and installation
• Configuration and architecture
• Declared platform requirements
• Source license