Package Managers¶

Install, update, and manage software across platforms.

Homebrew (macOS / Linux)¶

Install Homebrew:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Search for a package:

brew search node

Install a CLI tool vs. a GUI app:

brew install node          # CLI formula
brew install --cask firefox  # GUI cask

See what's outdated:

brew outdated

Upgrade everything:

brew upgrade

Search for a package:

winget search "Visual Studio Code"

Install:

winget install Microsoft.VisualStudioCode

Upgrade all installed packages:

winget upgrade --all

Export installed packages:

winget export -o packages.json

Import on a new machine:

winget import -i packages.json

Built into Windows 11. Windows 10 users: install via Microsoft Store.

Installs to user directory — no admin required:

irm get.scoop.sh | iex

Add the extras bucket for more packages:

scoop bucket add extras

Install and manage:

scoop install git nodejs python
scoop update *

Best for dev tools. Use winget for GUI apps.

Install Nix:

sh <(curl -L https://nixos.org/nix/install)

Run a tool without installing it:

nix run nixpkgs#cowsay -- "hello"

Enter a shell with specific tools available:

nix shell nixpkgs#nodejs nixpkgs#python3

Tip

Nix guarantees reproducible environments. Great for CI and shared dev setups.

Replaces nvm, pyenv, rbenv, goenv with a single tool:

mise use node@22
mise use python@3.12

Install a specific version:

mise install node@22.0.0

List installed runtimes:

mise ls

Set a global default:

mise use --global node@22

Project-local versions (creates .mise.toml):

mise use node@20

Install: brew install mise · cargo install mise · curl https://mise.run | sh

Feature	Homebrew	winget	Scoop	Nix	mise
Platform	macOS, Linux	Windows	Windows	Cross-platform	Cross-platform
Best for	General packages	GUI + CLI apps	Dev tools (no admin)	Reproducible envs	Runtime versions
Admin required	No	Sometimes	No	No	No