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brew

Install execline with Homebrew, apk, apt, MacPorts

Interpreter-less scripting language. Version 2.9.8.1 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-22.

Install commandSecurity notes

install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install execline

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install execline

MacPorts ports tree · lang/execline/Portfile · source: api.github.com

Linux

Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add execline

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · execline · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org

Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install execline

Debian stable package indexes · execline · source: deb.debian.org

overview

Package summary

Interpreter-less scripting language

Commands and aliases

  • background
  • backtick
  • case
  • cd
  • dollarat
  • elgetopt
  • elgetpositionals
  • elglob
  • eltest
  • emptyenv
  • envfile
  • exec
  • execline-cd
  • execline-umask
  • execlineb
  • exit
  • export
  • export-array
  • fdblock
  • fdclose
  • fdmove
  • fdreserve
  • fdswap
  • forbacktickx
  • foreground
  • forstdin
  • forx
  • getcwd
  • getpid
  • heredoc
  • homeof
  • if

history

Project history and usage

execline is a small non-interactive scripting language from skarnet.org, designed as a predictable shell alternative for process supervision, startup scripts, and command chaining.

Project history

The official page describes execline as a scripting language like sh, but with substantially different syntax. Its design goal is predictable grammar and avoidance of shell-style security issues while retaining shell-level power through conditionals, loops, option handling, globbing, environment management, and process-control commands.

The public git tag list shows the 2.x series beginning with v2.0.0.0 about twelve years before June 2026. The upgrade notes record a major build-system change in 2.0.0.0 and continuing incremental additions through 2.9.x, including envfile, posix-cd, posix-umask, eltest, multicall support, and macOS shared-library support.

Adoption history

execline is part of the wider skarnet.org software ecosystem and depends on skalibs. It is packaged across Unix-like distributions and package managers, including Homebrew, Debian, Ubuntu, Alpine, MacPorts, and others in the supplied package facts.

Its adoption is strongest among users of s6, runit-like supervision ideas, and minimal Unix service-management stacks, where explicit process state, file descriptor handling, and environment manipulation matter more than interactive shell convenience.

How it is used

Users write execlineb scripts or compose the provided commands directly. The command set covers parser/launcher behavior, process state control, environment files, fd operations, redirection, pipelines, foreground/background blocks, conditionals, loops, positional parameters, and option parsing.

The homepage includes example .profile replacement scripts and documents each command with consistent exit behavior: temporary errors exit 111, permanent misuse-style errors exit 100, failed exec lookup exits 127, and other exec failures exit 126.

Why package nerds care

execline is package-nerd significant because it decomposes shell behavior into many small binaries with explicit process semantics. It fits the skarnet tradition of small composable tools for supervision and init-adjacent systems.

It is also a good example of a package where the binary list is the product: installing execline adds a vocabulary of tiny command primitives rather than one large interactive shell.

Timeline

  • 2.0.0.0: Build system changed to the standard configure, make, install flow.
  • 2.5.1.0: envfile command added.
  • 2.5.3.0: posix-cd added and wait made POSIX-compliant.
  • 2.9.1.0: eltest added.
  • 2.9.2.0: Experimental multicall feature added.
  • 2.9.8.0: Shared libraries supported on macOS.
  • 2026: v2.9.9.1 tagged in the official git repository.

Related projects

  • skalibs is execline's required support library.
  • The homepage lists official mirrors on Codeberg, GitHub, and SourceHut, and points users to skaware mailing-list discussion.

security posture

No protected-tool coverage found yet

No matching local secret-handling manifest was found for execline. 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 1 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

CommandKindExposureNote
backgroundcliglobal executable
backtickcliglobal executable
casecliglobal executable
cdcliglobal executable
dollaratcliglobal executable
elgetoptcliglobal executable
elgetpositionalscliglobal executable
elglobcliglobal executable
eltestcliglobal executable
emptyenvcliglobal executable
envfilecliglobal executable
execcliglobal executable
execline-cdcliglobal executable
execline-umaskcliglobal executable
execlinebcliglobal executable
exitcliglobal executable
exportcliglobal executable
export-arraycliglobal executable
fdblockcliglobal executable
fdclosecliglobal executable
fdmovecliglobal executable
fdreservecliglobal executable
fdswapcliglobal executable
forbacktickxcliglobal executable
foregroundcliglobal executable
forstdincliglobal executable
forxcliglobal executable
getcwdcliglobal executable
getpidcliglobal executable
heredoccliglobal executable
homeofcliglobal executable
ifcliglobal executable
ifelsecliglobal executable
iftecliglobal executable
ifthenelsecliglobal executable
importascliglobal executable
loopwhilexcliglobal executable
multidefinecliglobal executable
multisubstitutecliglobal executable
pipelinecliglobal executable
piperwcliglobal executable
posix-cdcliglobal executable
posix-umaskcliglobal executable
redirfdcliglobal executable
runblockcliglobal executable
shiftcliglobal executable
trapcliglobal executable
tryexeccliglobal executable
umaskcliglobal executable
unexportcliglobal executable
waitcliglobal executable
withstdinascliglobal 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 version2.9.8.1
manager updated2026-06-22
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

install metadata

Package metadata

Package keybrew:execline
Version2.9.8.1
Package managerHomebrew
Package manager pagehttps://formulae.brew.sh/formula/execline
Homepagehttps://skarnet.org/software/execline/
Repositoryhttps://git.skarnet.org/cgi-bin/cgit.cgi/execline
Upstream docshttps://skarnet.org/software/execline
LicenseISC
Source archivehttps://skarnet.org/software/execline/execline-2.9.8.1.tar.gz
Last updated2026-06-22T14:03:17-07:00
Pulseupdated
Dependenciesskalibs
Build dependenciespkgconf
Bottleavailable (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux)
Homebrew post-installnot defined
Servicenone declared

registry facts

Source database details

Source DatabaseHomebrew formula API
Taphomebrew/core
Full Nameexecline
Version Scheme0
Revision0
Head VersionHEAD
Bottle Stable Root URLhttps://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core
Deprecatedno
Disabledno
Keg Onlyno
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.

Debian apt95%

execline 2.9.6.1-1

small and non-interactive scripting language

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apt install execline
  • Section: admin
  • Architecture: amd64
  • 3 dependencies
  • 1 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: execline from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

execline-doc 2.9.6.1-1

small and non-interactive scripting language (documentation)

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apt install execline-doc
  • Section: doc
  • Architecture: all
  • Source Package: execline
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: execline-doc from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

libexecline-dev 2.9.6.1-1

small and non-interactive scripting language (development files)

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apt install libexecline-dev
  • Section: libdevel
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: execline
  • 1 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libexecline-dev from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Debian apt95%

libexecline2.9 2.9.6.1-1

small and non-interactive scripting language (shared library)

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apt install libexecline2.9
  • Section: libs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: execline
  • 2 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: libexecline2.9 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Ubuntu apt95%

execline 2.9.4.0-1build2

small and non-interactive scripting language

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apt install execline
  • Section: universe/admin
  • Architecture: amd64
  • 3 dependencies
  • 1 optional deps
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: execline from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

execline-doc 2.9.4.0-1build2

small and non-interactive scripting language (documentation)

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apt install execline-doc
  • Section: universe/doc
  • Architecture: all
  • Source Package: execline
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: execline-doc from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

libexecline-dev 2.9.4.0-1build2

small and non-interactive scripting language (development files)

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apt install libexecline-dev
  • Section: universe/libdevel
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: execline
  • 1 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libexecline-dev from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt95%

libexecline2.9 2.9.4.0-1build2

small and non-interactive scripting language (shared library)

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apt install libexecline2.9
  • Section: universe/libs
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: execline
  • 2 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: libexecline2.9 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
apk95%

execline 2.9.9.1-r0

A small scripting language, to be used in place of a shell in non-interactive scripts.

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apk add execline
  • License: ISC
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: execline
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: execline from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

execline-dev 2.9.9.1-r0

A small scripting language, to be used in place of a shell in non-interactive scripts. (development files)

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apk add execline-dev
  • License: ISC
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: execline
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: execline-dev from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

execline-doc 2.9.9.1-r0

A small scripting language, to be used in place of a shell in non-interactive scripts. (documentation)

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apk add execline-doc
  • License: ISC
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: execline
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: execline-doc from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

execline-libs 2.9.9.1-r0

A small scripting language, to be used in place of a shell in non-interactive scripts. (libraries)

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apk add execline-libs
  • License: ISC
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: execline
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: execline-libs from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

execline-static 2.9.9.1-r0

A small scripting language, to be used in place of a shell in non-interactive scripts. (static library)

https://skarnet.org/software/execline/

sudo apk add execline-static
  • License: ISC
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: execline
  • 1 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: execline-static from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/main/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
MacPorts95%

execline

sudo port install execline
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Execline
MacPorts ports tree · api.github.com · MacPorts ports tree: lang/execline/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1
Ubuntu apt92%

python-case-doc 1.5.3+dfsg-5

Python unittest Utilities (documentation)

https://github.com/celery/case

sudo apt install python-case-doc
  • Section: universe/doc
  • Architecture: all
  • Source Package: case
  • 1 dependencies
  • installed executable or alias match
  • Matched by: Case
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: python-case-doc from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
Ubuntu apt92%

python3-case 1.5.3+dfsg-5

Python unittest Utilities (Python3 version)

https://github.com/celery/case

sudo apt install python3-case
  • Section: universe/python
  • Architecture: all
  • Source Package: case
  • 4 dependencies
  • installed executable or alias match
  • Matched by: Case
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: python3-case from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz

package graph

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

Related tools

  • pkgconfBuild dependency declared by Homebrew.
  • s6Popular package that depends on this formula.
  • s6-rcPopular package that depends on this formula.

Same workflow

  • envfileExecutable or command metadata overlaps with this package. Shared terms: envfile.

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.

Used sources

  • Nucleus package database
  • av.db category and tag curation
  • cross-ecosystem install command graph
  • curated package history
  • external package-manager database matches
  • package relationship graph
  • package version freshness
  • package-page enrichment