---
title: Homebrew
kind: note
description: the missing package manager
words: 185
readingMinutes: 1
created: '2025-07-21T00:00:00.000Z'
updated: '2026-07-19T14:41:32+02:00'
website: https://brew.sh/
---
## Link

<https://brew.sh/>

Package manager for [macOS](/notes/macos) (primarily) and [Linux](/notes/linux)
# Resources
- [Homebrew Security and Supply Chain](https://docs.brew.sh/Homebrew-Security-and-Supply-Chain) ^6d92eb
# FAQ
## My configuration

| Setting / environment variable              | Impact                                                                       | Trade-offs                                                                       |
| ------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| `HOMEBREW_UPDATE_TO_TAG=1`                  | Keeps the Homebrew client on stable releases rather than unreleased `main`.  | Latest features cannot be previewed.                                             |
| `HOMEBREW_FORMULA_BUILD_NETWORK=deny`       | Prevents source-build scripts from accessing the network.                    | Only affects source builds. They must use resources Homebrew fetched beforehand. |
| `HOMEBREW_FORMULA_POSTINSTALL_NETWORK=deny` | Prevents formula post-install scripts from downloading or exfiltrating data. | Can break formulae with legitimate network-dependent post-install steps.         |
| `HOMEBREW_NO_UPDATE_REPORT_NEW=1`           | Decrease verbosity                                                           | User is not informed about packages added to the repo.                           |
| `HOMEBREW_NO_ENV_HINTS=1`                   | Decrease verbosity                                                           | User is not informed about optimization opportunities.                           |
| `HOMEBREW_CLEANUP_MAX_AGE_DAYS=30`          | Save space                                                                   | Rolling back versions might require downloads more often.                        |
| `HOMEBREW_CLEANUP_PERIODIC_FULL_DAYS=7`     | Save space                                                                   | Rolling back versions might require downloads more often.                        |
| `HOMEBREW_NO_UPGRADE_QUIT_CASKS=1`          | Avoid losing data - allows me to update without immediate reboot.            | ?                                                                                |
| `HOMEBREW_VERIFY_ATTESTATIONS=1`            | Security hardening                                                           | Requires [GitHub](/notes/github) CLI (formula `gh`) to be installed.                          |