install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%

brew install dynein

local Homebrew formula metadata

Linux

Nixverified · 92%

nix profile install nixpkgs#dynein

nixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/dy/dynein/package.nix · source: api.github.com

overview

Package summary

DynamoDB CLI

Project links

Commands and aliases

dy

history

Project history and usage

dynein is an AWS Labs command-line interface for Amazon DynamoDB, written in Rust and shipped as the `dy` executable.

Project history

The awslabs/dynein repository was created in 2020. Its README describes dynein as a terminal-first DynamoDB CLI designed to reduce typing, use standard JSON instead of DynamoDB JSON where possible, and provide table context switching through commands such as `dy use` and `dy config`.

Adoption history

dynein has stayed a focused AWS developer tool rather than a broad database client. Its adoption path is through GitHub releases, Homebrew, and source builds, aimed at users who already work with DynamoDB and AWS credentials but want a concise shell workflow.

How it is used

Users configure normal AWS credentials, then run `dy ls`, `dy scan`, `dy get`, `dy query`, `dy put`, `dy upd`, `dy del`, import/export commands, backup/restore commands, and DynamoDB Local workflows. The README states that dynein stores local config under `$HOME/.dynein/` and uses AWS credential sources such as `~/.aws/credentials`, environment variables, profiles, and instance roles.

Why package nerds care

dynein is interesting as a single-purpose cloud database CLI from the AWS Labs ecosystem. It overlaps with `aws dynamodb` but optimizes the interactive developer loop: shorter commands, table context, shell completion, JSON ergonomics, and Homebrew installation.

Timeline

2020: awslabs/dynein repository is created.
2020s: README documents binary downloads, Homebrew installation, source builds, AWS credential prerequisites, and DynamoDB Local support.
2026: Homebrew packages dynein 0.3.0 as the `dy` executable.

Related projects

Related projects include Amazon DynamoDB, AWS CLI, DynamoDB Local, aws-sdk-rust, CloudFormation, and other database-specific CLIs that trade general cloud coverage for faster daily table and item operations.

Sources

security posture

Risk level: green

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.

Risk classifier

green risk · low confidence · appliance

Why

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals

Signals

metadata:no-higher-risk-signals

Install behavior

No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 10 platform targets.
Build metadata lists 3 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: ~/.dynein/config.yml~/.aws/config

Credential files

Credential-bearing paths to review before unattended agent runs.

Unix: ~/.aws/credentials

executables

Installed executables

Command	Kind	Exposure	Note
`dy`	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 version0.3.0

manager updated

local dataok

upstreamcurrent

latest detectedv0.3.0

https://github.com/awslabs/dynein

infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence

install metadata

Package metadata

Package key	brew:dynein
Version	0.3.0
Package manager	Homebrew
Package manager page	https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/dynein
Homepage	https://github.com/awslabs/dynein
Repository	https://github.com/awslabs/dynein
Upstream docs	https://github.com/awslabs/dynein
License	Apache-2.0
Source archive	https://github.com/awslabs/dynein/archive/refs/tags/v0.3.0.tar.gz
Build dependencies	cmake, pkgconf, rust
Uses from macOS	bzip2
Bottle	available (on arm64_linux, arm64_monterey, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, monterey, sonoma, ventura, 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	dynein
Version Scheme	0
Revision	0
Head Version	HEAD
Bottle Stable Root URL	https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core
Deprecated	no
Disabled	no
Keg Only	no
URL Keys	head stable

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

Nix95%

dynein

nix profile install nixpkgs#dynein

normalized package name match
Matched by: Dynein

nixpkgs package indexes · api.github.com · nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/dy/dynein/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1

package graph

Links come from deterministic package relationships, av.db category and tag curation, ecosystem matches, and package hub membership.

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.

combined/dynein.yml

Used sources

Geiger risk classifier
Nucleus package database
av.db category and tag curation
cross-ecosystem install command graph
curated configuration and credential file locations
curated package history
external package-manager database matches
package relationship graph
package version freshness
package-page enrichment

Install dynein with Homebrew, Nix