How to publish binary executables as homebrew taps for both MacOS and Linux?

2 min read 28-10-2024

the ifix

How to publish binary executables as homebrew taps for both MacOS and Linux?

Homebrew is a popular package manager that simplifies the process of installing and managing software on both MacOS and Linux systems. Publishing binary executables as Homebrew taps can enhance accessibility for users looking to install your software with minimal hassle. This article will walk you through the process of publishing your binaries as Homebrew taps for both platforms, ensuring that you can reach a wider audience.

Understanding Homebrew Taps

Before diving into the steps, let’s clarify what a Homebrew tap is. A tap is essentially a repository of formulae (the Ruby scripts that Homebrew uses to install software). By creating your own tap, you can distribute your own software conveniently.

Scenario

Suppose you have developed a tool called mytool that you want to distribute via Homebrew. To achieve this, you will need to create a GitHub repository and write a formula for your executable.

Step-by-Step Guide

Create a GitHub Repository:
- Create a new repository on GitHub (e.g., homebrew-mytool).
- Clone the repository to your local machine using:
```
git clone https://github.com/username/homebrew-mytool.git
cd homebrew-mytool
```
Add Your Binary Executables:
- Place the compiled binary of mytool into your repository. For example:
```
/homebrew-mytool/
   └── mytool
```
- Ensure that the binary is executable. You can set it using:
```
chmod +x mytool
```

Create the Formula:

In the root of your repository, create a Ruby file for your formula (e.g., mytool.rb).

Write the formula using the following template:

class Mytool < Formula
  desc "Description of mytool"
  homepage "https://github.com/username/mytool"
  url "https://github.com/username/homebrew-mytool/releases/download/v0.1.0/mytool"
  version "0.1.0"
  sha256 "your_sha256_checksum"

  def install
    bin.install "mytool"
  end
end

Note: Make sure to replace the url with the actual link to your binary. You can generate the SHA256 checksum using:
```
shasum -a 256 mytool | awk '{ print $1 }'
```

Commit and Push Your Changes:

Add and commit your changes:

git add .
git commit -m "Add mytool formula"
git push origin main

Install Your Tap:
- Users can now install your tap using:
```
brew tap username/mytool
brew install mytool
```

Additional Considerations

Versioning and Releases

Make sure to manage versions properly. Each time you release a new version of your binary, update the url and sha256 in your formula. Tag your releases on GitHub to maintain version control effectively.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

If your binary needs to work on both MacOS and Linux, you may need to compile it for both platforms. This can often be achieved using CI/CD services like GitHub Actions to automate the build and release process for multiple platforms.

Testing the Tap

Before making your tap public, ensure it works as expected by testing it on clean installations of MacOS and Linux. This will help identify any issues early in the process.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively publish your binary executables as Homebrew taps for both MacOS and Linux, streamlining the installation process for your users. Homebrew's extensive user base can help your software gain visibility and usage.

Additional Resources

By tapping into Homebrew’s capabilities, you can enhance your distribution strategy and reach a broader audience with your software. Happy brewing!