Brewy
Simple Homebrew GUI for managing packages
Quick Take: Brewy
Brewy is a no-frills Homebrew GUI that makes package management visual and accessible. It's perfect for users who want the power of Homebrew without the terminal, though power users may find it limited.
Best For
- •Mac users who prefer GUIs over terminals
- •Newcomers exploring Homebrew packages
- •Anyone who wants a quick visual overview of installed packages
Install with Homebrew
brew install --cask brewyWhat is Brewy?
Brewy is a simple, lightweight graphical interface for Homebrew on macOS. It allows users to browse, install, update, and remove Homebrew casks and formulae without touching the terminal. For Mac users who appreciate Homebrew's vast package catalog but prefer a visual workflow, Brewy provides an accessible way to manage software installations with point-and-click convenience.
Key Features
Visual Package Browser
Browse the complete Homebrew catalog with search, filtering by type (cask vs formula), and one-click installation.
Update Management
See all outdated packages at a glance and update them individually or in bulk with a single click.
Installed Package List
View all installed Homebrew packages with version info, descriptions, and quick uninstall options.
Simple Search
Search the Homebrew catalog by name or description to find packages without memorizing exact formula names.
Lightweight Design
A focused, minimal interface that does one thing well — managing Homebrew packages visually — without unnecessary complexity.
Who Should Use Brewy?
1Terminal-Shy Mac User
A designer who uses Homebrew-installed tools but dislikes the terminal uses Brewy to keep their tools updated and discover new packages through the visual browser.
2New Mac Developer
A developer new to macOS uses Brewy to explore what's available in Homebrew, learning about packages they might need while avoiding terminal typos.
3IT Administrator
An IT admin setting up new Mac workstations uses Brewy to quickly install a standard set of development tools without typing long brew install commands.
Install Brewy on Mac
Brewy is available as a Homebrew cask, which is fitting for a Homebrew GUI.
Install Homebrew
If you don't have Homebrew, open your terminal and run: `/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"`
Install Brewy
Run `brew install --cask brewy` in your terminal.
Launch Brewy
Open Brewy from your Applications folder. It will automatically detect your Homebrew installation and show your installed packages.
Pro Tips
- • Brewy requires an existing Homebrew installation.
- • Grant Brewy permissions to run terminal commands when prompted.
Configuration Tips
Check for Updates Regularly
Brewy's update view is the easiest way to keep all your Homebrew packages current. Make it a weekly habit.
Use Search Filters
Filter by casks (GUI apps) or formulae (CLI tools) to narrow your search when browsing the catalog.
Alternatives to Brewy
Several GUI tools exist for managing Homebrew packages on macOS.
Cakebrew
Cakebrew is another Homebrew GUI that's been around longer. It offers similar features but has a more complex interface compared to Brewy's minimalist approach.
Cork
Cork provides a modern SwiftUI interface for Homebrew management with advanced features like tap management. It's more feature-rich but less lightweight.
Pricing
Brewy is free and open-source, hosted on GitHub.
Pros
- ✓Extremely simple and focused interface
- ✓Makes Homebrew accessible to non-terminal users
- ✓Lightweight with minimal resource usage
- ✓Open-source and free
- ✓Perfect for our Bundl.run audience
Cons
- ✗Limited advanced features compared to Cakebrew or Cork
- ✗Community-maintained with infrequent updates
- ✗Some operations still require terminal fallback
Community & Support
Brewy is a community project on GitHub. Issues and feature requests are handled through GitHub's issue tracker.
Frequently Asked Questions about Brewy
Our Verdict
Brewy is a no-frills Homebrew GUI that makes package management visual and accessible. It's perfect for users who want the power of Homebrew without the terminal, though power users may find it limited.
About the Author
Productivity & Workflow Analyst
Expert Tips for Brewy
Brewy is particularly useful for the initial Mac setup experience — browse and install essential apps visually instead of looking up cask names.
Related Technologies & Concepts
Related Topics
Homebrew Tools
Tools that enhance or provide interfaces for the Homebrew package manager.