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brew install behaviortree.cpplocal Homebrew formula metadata
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Install behaviortree.cpp with Homebrew
Behavior Trees Library in C++. Version 4.9.1 via Homebrew; verified 2026-07-07.
install
Additional install commands
overview
Package summary
Behavior Trees Library in C++
Project links
Commands and aliases
- bt4_nodes_model
- bt4_plugin_manifest
history
Project history and usage
BehaviorTree.CPP is a C++17 behavior-tree framework used mainly in robotics, but also suitable for game AI and finite-state-machine replacement. The Homebrew package exposes its command-line utilities for node models and plugin manifests.
Project history
The official repository was created on GitHub in October 2018, while the repository license credits earlier behavior-tree work from 2014-2018 before the current Davide Faconti-led project period. Public GitHub releases begin with a 2.0 beta in October 2018.
The README describes the library as flexible, easy to use, reactive, and fast, with XML-defined trees loaded at runtime, asynchronous actions as first-class citizens, plugins, dataflow between nodes, and logging/profiling infrastructure.
Adoption history
BehaviorTree.CPP's adoption is strongly tied to robotics workflows: the README names robotics as its main use case, documents ROS 2/colcon support, and points to Groot2 for graphical editing. It also documents Conan, CMake, pixi/Conda, and vcpkg installation paths.
GitHub release history shows a steady line from 2.x releases in 2018 through 3.x, the 4.1 release preparing for Groot2 in 2023, and 4.9.0 in 2026. The repository metadata showed more than 4,000 stars and 800 forks when checked during enrichment, indicating broad use beyond a niche single-project dependency.
How it is used
Developers embed the C++ library into applications that need reactive task execution. Behavior trees are commonly defined in XML, with custom tree nodes linked statically or loaded as plugins at runtime.
The packaged command-line tools support ecosystem workflows such as generating node model information and plugin manifests rather than serving as a standalone end-user application.
Why package nerds care
BehaviorTree.CPP matters to package nerds because it packages robotics behavior-tree infrastructure as ordinary C++ tooling across Homebrew, vcpkg, Conan, ROS 2 builds, and source builds. That makes a research-and-robotics pattern consumable through mainstream developer dependency managers.
It is also a good example of a C++ library where the command-line package is useful mostly as build and metadata tooling around a larger embedded runtime.
Timeline
- 2014-2018: Earlier behavior-tree code lineage credited in the repository license.
- 2018: GitHub repository created and 2.0 beta released.
- 2020: 3.3.0 release published.
- 2022: 3.7.0 release published.
- 2023: 4.1.0 release prepared the project for Groot2.
- 2026: 4.9.0 release published.
Related projects
- Groot2 is the related graphical editor documented by the project.
- btcpp_sample is the official sample repository referenced for application use.
- ROS 2, vcpkg, Conan, and CMake are documented integration and packaging paths.
Sources
security posture
Risk level: green
library-like package without higher-risk signals.
Risk classifier
green risk · low confidence · appliance
Why
- library-like package without higher-risk signals
Signals
- metadata:library-like
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 platform targets.
- Installs with 2 runtime dependencies.
- Build metadata lists 1 build dependencies.
Recommended review
Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
bt4_nodes_model | cli | global executable | |
bt4_plugin_manifest | cli | global executable |
freshness
Version and freshness
These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.
page generated2026-07-08
manager version4.9.1
manager updated2026-07-07
local dataok
upstreamcurrent
latest detected4.9.1
https://github.com/BehaviorTree/BehaviorTree.CPP
- okNo freshness warnings were generated.
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:behaviortree.cpp |
|---|---|
| Version | 4.9.1 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/behaviortree.cpp |
| Homepage | https://www.behaviortree.dev/ |
| Repository | https://github.com/BehaviorTree/BehaviorTree.CPP |
| Upstream docs | https://behaviortree.github.io/BehaviorTree.CPP |
| License | MIT |
| Source archive | https://github.com/BehaviorTree/BehaviorTree.CPP/archive/refs/tags/4.9.1.tar.gz |
| Last updated | 2026-07-07T13:00:36Z |
| Pulse | updated |
| Dependencies | cppzmq, zeromq |
| Build dependencies | cmake |
| Uses from macOS | sqlite |
| Bottle | available (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux) |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew formula API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/core |
| Full Name | behaviortree.cpp |
| Version Scheme | 0 |
| Revision | 0 |
| Bottle Stable Root URL | https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core |
| Deprecated | no |
| Disabled | no |
| Keg Only | no |
| URL Keys |
|
source trail
Generated from repository data
This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.
Combined YAML source
View the package source record on GitHub.
Used sources
- Geiger risk classifier
- Nucleus package database
- av.db category and tag curation
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated package history
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment