Homebrew — or simply brew — is the most popular package manager for macOS developers. This homebrew commands cheat sheet will help you install, update, and manage tools easily.
Whether you’re setting up a new Mac or maintaining your dev environment, this guide covers everything you need.
Homebrew Basics (Keep It Updated)
brew --version
brew update
brew upgrade
brew upgrade <package>
💡 Pro Tip:
alias brewup='brew update && brew upgrade && brew autoremove && brew cleanup'
Search & Info Commands
brew search <keyword>
brew search /^go/
brew info <package>
brew list --versions <package>
Install & Uninstall Packages
brew install <package>
brew install <package>@<version>
brew reinstall <package>
brew uninstall <package>
brew uninstall --force <package>
Manage Multiple Versions
brew install node@20
brew link node@20
brew unlink node@20
brew switch node 20.11.1
List & Dependencies
brew list
brew list --formulae
brew list --cask
brew leaves
brew deps --installed --tree
brew autoremove
Manage Services
brew services list
brew services start postgresql
brew services stop postgresql
brew services restart redis
brew services cleanup
Cleanup & Fix Issues
brew cleanup
brew cleanup -n
brew autoremove
brew doctor
Install GUI Apps (Casks)
brew install --cask visual-studio-code
brew install --cask docker
brew install --cask warp
brew upgrade --cask
Popular Developer Tools
- VS Code
- Docker / OrbStack
- Warp Terminal
- Raycast
- Postman
- iTerm2
Taps (Extra Repositories)
brew tap homebrew/cask-versions
brew tap homebrew/cask-fonts
brew untap <tap-name>
Quick Commands
brew update && brew upgrade && brew autoremove && brew cleanupbrew install git node python jq yq tree wget htop
Internal Links (IMPORTANT for SEO)
https://theeasymaster.com/virtual-host-macos-homebrew/
Build Project Using Docker: A Step-by-Step Guide
External Resources
Conclusion
This homebrew commands cheat sheet is a must-have for developers. It helps you manage your macOS environment efficiently and saves time.