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brew install bittensorlocal Homebrew formula metadata
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Install bittensor with Homebrew
SDK and command-line tool for the Bittensor network. Version 11.0.1 via Homebrew; verified 2026-07-24.
install
Additional install commands
overview
Package summary
SDK and command-line tool for the Bittensor network
Project links
Commands and aliases
- btcli
- certifi.sh
history
Project history and usage
Bittensor is the Python SDK and command-line tooling used to read from, transact with, and build applications for the Bittensor network. The legacy 10.x package represented by this Homebrew formula combines the `bittensor` SDK with the separately distributed `bittensor-cli` and `bittensor-wallet` packages.
Project history
The Bittensor SDK repository was created in 2020 and developed alongside the network's blockchain and subnet model. Bittensor's official academic history records the network's launch in November 2021. The SDK exposed Python APIs for Subtensor and installed `btcli` for wallet, subnet, staking, and chain operations.
In 2026, Bittensor 11 replaced the legacy 10.x SDK, separate 9.x CLI, and separate wallet package with one unified `bittensor` distribution. SDK, CLI, documentation, and chain development then moved into the `RaoFoundation/subtensor` monorepo, while the legacy SDK repository was archived in July 2026.
Adoption history
The SDK became the standard official Python and shell interface for participants operating wallets, querying network state, staking, registering subnets, and writing subnet software. Its packaging evolved from a multi-distribution Python stack in v9/v10 to a single generated SDK-and-CLI package in v11.
How it is used
The legacy formula installs the Python SDK plus `btcli`. Users commonly select a network, configure a coldkey wallet and hotkey, inspect balances and subnets, and submit signed staking or registration operations. Configuration is stored by the legacy CLI at `~/.bittensor/config.yml`, while wallet keys live under `~/.bittensor/wallets/`.
Current upstream guidance installs `bittensor` with `uv` or pip, uses `btcli query` for reads and `btcli tx` for transactions, and recommends previewing mutations with `--dry-run`. Existing v10 wallet files remain compatible with v11, but scripts and CLI invocations require migration because the client API and command organization changed substantially.
Why package nerds care
Bittensor is notable as a package-management case study because an SDK, CLI, and cryptographic wallet moved from three interdependent Python distributions back into one package and monorepo. The official migration guide documents executable ownership conflicts during upgrades, Python-version resolution pitfalls, native Rust build requirements, and compatibility of existing on-disk keyfiles.
Its official wallet security guide also records a compromised PyPI release of legacy `bittensor` 6.12.2 in July 2024 and consequently recommends exact version pins and signed source tags for high-value systems. That incident makes provenance and upgrade discipline unusually important for this package.
Timeline
- 2020: The Bittensor SDK repository was created.
- 2021: The Bittensor network officially launched in November.
- 2024: A compromised PyPI release of legacy bittensor 6.12.2 triggered a network safe-mode response.
- 2026: Bittensor 11 unified the SDK, CLI, and wallet packages in the Subtensor monorepo.
- 2026: The legacy Bittensor SDK repository was archived in July.
Related projects
- RaoFoundation/subtensor is the active Bittensor monorepo containing the chain, Python SDK, `btcli`, documentation, and website.
- Legacy `bittensor-cli` supplied the v9 `btcli` executable bundled by the 10.x formula, and legacy `bittensor-wallet` supplied its keyfile implementation.
Sources
security posture
No protected-tool coverage found yet
No matching local secret-handling manifest was found for bittensor. Nucleus package metadata is still published here so future coverage has a stable package URL.
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 platform targets.
- Installs with 3 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.
local files
Configuration and credential file locations
These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval.
Configuration files
Config paths the tool may read or write during local use.
- Unix
~/.bittensor/config.yml
Credential files
Credential-bearing paths to review before unattended agent runs.
- Unix
~/.bittensor/wallets/<wallet-name>/coldkey~/.bittensor/wallets/<wallet-name>/hotkeys/<hotkey-name>
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
btcli | cli | global executable | |
certifi.sh | 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 generated2026-07-25
manager version11.0.1
manager updated2026-07-24
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected
- infoRelease/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories.https://subtensor.vercel.app/none confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:bittensor |
|---|---|
| Version | 11.0.1 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/bittensor |
| Homepage | https://subtensor.vercel.app/ |
| Repository | https://github.com/RaoFoundation/bittensor |
| Upstream docs | https://www.bittensor.com/docs |
| License | Apache-2.0 |
| Source archive | https://files.pythonhosted.org/packages/b7/97/56d2f9f2a50f4a55d342707e56b281d5f2cc4634c8f18f9b147198e41d16/bittensor-11.0.1.tar.gz |
| Last updated | 2026-07-24T23:57:51Z |
| Pulse | updated |
| Dependencies | openssl@3, pydantic, python@3.13 |
| Build dependencies | rust |
| 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 | bittensor |
| Version Scheme | 0 |
| Revision | 0 |
| Conflicts With |
|
| 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
- Nucleus package database
- av.db category and tag curation
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated configuration and credential file locations
- curated package history
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment