How to Install Mac Apps with Homebrew

What is Homebrew?

Homebrew is the missing package manager for macOS. While its main brew install command handles command-line tools and libraries, Homebrew Cask extends it to GUI applications — browsers, editors, media players, and everything in between.

Installing Homebrew

Open Terminal and run:

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

Follow the prompts. Once done, verify:

brew --version

Installing GUI Apps with Cask

The syntax is simple:

brew install --cask <app-name>

Examples:

brew install --cask firefox
brew install --cask visual-studio-code
brew install --cask vlc

Useful Commands

Command	What it does
brew search --cask <keyword>	Search for apps
brew info --cask <app>	Show app details
brew upgrade --cask	Update all casks
brew list --cask	List installed casks
brew uninstall --cask <app>	Remove an app

Why Use Homebrew?

• One command to install. No hunting for download pages.
• Bulk updates. brew upgrade --cask updates everything at once.
• Scriptable. Perfect for setting up new machines.
• Community-maintained. Thousands of apps, regularly updated.