macOS — Homebrew

The Homebrew backend is implemented in src/managers/brew.rs as BrewManager (a zero-size struct).

BrewManager::search calls brew search <query>, which returns one formula or cask name per line. Because brew search does not return descriptions or versions, both fields are left empty in the initial search results — they are populated lazily when the user selects a package and get_details is called.

Installed Packages

get_installed calls brew list --formula and returns a HashSet<String> of formula names.

Note: Casks (brew list --cask) are not yet included in the installed list. This is a known limitation tracked in the roadmap.

Package Details

get_details calls brew info --json=v2 <pkg> and parses the JSON response. Key fields surfaced in the TUI sidebar include:

  • name
  • desc
  • homepage
  • versions.stable
  • installed (list of installed versions)

Install / Remove

OperationCommand
Installbrew install <packages>
Removebrew uninstall <packages>

Both hand control of the terminal to Homebrew's output via execute_external_command.

System Upgrade & Refresh

KeyCommand
Ubrew upgrade
Rbrew update

Updates

get_updates runs brew outdated --formula and constructs a list of formulas with newer versions available.