Package Management

The sidebar displays your packages with visual indicators:

• Blue cube icon - Installed formula
• Gray cube icon - Available formula (not installed)
• Box icon - Cask (GUI application)
• Orange dot - Update available
• Status badge - Shows "Installed", "Available", or "Updatable"

Click any package to view its details:

• Name and current version
• Description of what the package does
• License information
• Homepage link
• Dependencies (clickable to navigate)
• Installed version vs. latest available version

1. Search or browse to find the package you want
2. Click to select it in the list
3. Click the Install button in the toolbar
4. Watch the installation progress in the Activity Log
5. A toast notification confirms when installation is complete

Updating a Single Package

1. Select a package that shows an update is available (orange dot)
2. Click the Upgrade button in the toolbar
3. The package will be upgraded to the latest version

Updating All Packages

1. Click Upgrade All in the toolbar
2. All outdated packages will be upgraded sequentially
3. Progress is shown in the Activity Log

1. Select an installed package
2. Click the Uninstall button in the toolbar
3. Confirm the action in the dialog
4. The package will be removed from your system

Useful for fixing broken installations:

1. Select an installed package
2. Click the Reinstall button in the toolbar
3. The package will be removed and reinstalled fresh

Homebrew has two types of packages:

Formulae

Command-line tools and libraries. Examples:

• git - Version control
• node - JavaScript runtime
• python - Programming language

Casks

GUI applications. Examples:

• visual-studio-code - Code editor
• google-chrome - Web browser
• spotify - Music streaming