whatisgithub

What is brewfile?

lissy93/brewfile — explained in plain English

Analysis updated 2026-07-21 · repo last pushed 2023-12-16

181RubyAudience · developerComplexity · 1/5DormantSetup · easy

In one sentence

A curated list of Mac software that installs automatically via a single Homebrew command. Fork it, swap in your favorite apps, and use it to set up a new machine or recover after a crash in minutes.

Mindmap

mindmap
  root((repo))
    What it does
      Auto-installs Mac apps
      Single command setup
      Curated software list
    Categories
      Command-line tools
      Desktop apps
      Development utilities
    Use cases
      New machine setup
      Post-crash recovery
      Share toolset
    Audience
      Developers
      Frequent setuppers
    Customization
      Fork and edit
      Part of larger setup

Code map

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filefunction / class

What do people build with it?

USE CASE 1

Set up a brand-new Mac with all your essential development tools in one command.

USE CASE 2

Keep a backup of your favorite apps so you can quickly reinstall everything after a computer crash or upgrade.

USE CASE 3

Fork the list, customize it with your own preferred software, and share it with teammates for consistent machine setups.

What is it built with?

RubyHomebrewShell

How does it compare?

lissy93/brewfilemaccman/treviseptimawati/downloads
Stars18124995
LanguageRubyRubyRuby
Last pushed2023-12-162016-11-22
MaintenanceDormantDormant
Setup difficultyeasyeasyeasy
Complexity1/52/51/5
Audiencedeveloperdevelopergeneral

Figures from each repo's GitHub metadata at analysis time.

How do you get it running?

Difficulty · easy Time to first run · 5min

Requires Homebrew installed on macOS, run the automated script or execute brew bundle install against the Brewfile.

No license is specified, so default copyright applies, you can read and fork the repo but technically need permission for redistribution or commercial use.

So what is it?

Lissy93/Brewfile is a curated list of software for setting up a new Mac. Instead of manually downloading and installing dozens of applications one by one, you run a single command and everything installs automatically. It is designed for developers who want a fully-loaded machine without the hassle of individual setups. The project uses Homebrew, a popular tool for installing software on macOS via the terminal. The Brewfile itself is just a list of programs organized into categories like command-line tools, desktop apps, and development utilities. When you tell Homebrew to process the file, it reads through the list and installs everything. You can use an automated guided script to kick this off, or download the file and run the install command yourself after removing anything you do not want. This is useful for anyone who sets up new computers frequently or wants to keep a record of their preferred tools. For example, a developer starting a new job can use it to get a code editor, security testing tools, and media apps running in minutes. It also works as a backup, if your computer crashes, you have a single file that knows exactly what to reinstall. The software list is extensive, covering everything from basic terminal utilities to creative apps like Blender and audio editors. It includes programming languages, security scanners, password managers, and browsers. Some of the tools are command-line programs, while others are full desktop applications with graphical interfaces. A notable aspect of the project is that it is meant to be customized. The author encourages users to fork the repository and replace the package list with their own favorites. It is also designed to fit into a broader setup workflow, as the author uses it as part of a larger collection of configuration files that automate machine setup across different operating systems.

Copy-paste prompts

Prompt 1
Help me review the Lissy93/brewfile package list and suggest which apps I should remove if I only need frontend web development tools and no security or audio software.
Prompt 2
I forked the Lissy93/brewfile repo. Generate a new Brewfile from my list of favorite Mac apps: [paste your app names here], organized into casks, formulae, and mas categories.
Prompt 3
Write a shell script that clones my forked brewfile repo, lets me preview the Brewfile, asks for confirmation, then runs brew bundle install and reports any failures.

Frequently asked questions

What is brewfile?

A curated list of Mac software that installs automatically via a single Homebrew command. Fork it, swap in your favorite apps, and use it to set up a new machine or recover after a crash in minutes.

What language is brewfile written in?

Mainly Ruby. The stack also includes Ruby, Homebrew, Shell.

Is brewfile actively maintained?

Dormant — no commits in 2+ years (last push 2023-12-16).

What license does brewfile use?

No license is specified, so default copyright applies, you can read and fork the repo but technically need permission for redistribution or commercial use.

How hard is brewfile to set up?

Setup difficulty is rated easy, with roughly 5min to a first successful run.

Who is brewfile for?

Mainly developer.

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