macOS
Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install icecreamlocal Homebrew formula metadata
brew
Install icecream with Homebrew, apt, dnf, Nix, zypper
Distributed compiler with a central scheduler to share build load. Version 1.4 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-13.
install
Additional install commands
Linux
Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install icecreamDebian stable package indexes · icecream · source: deb.debian.org
Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install icecreamFedora Rawhide package metadata · icecream · source: dl.fedoraproject.org
Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#icecreamnixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/ic/icecream/package.nix · source: api.github.com
openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install icecreamopenSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · icecream · source: download.opensuse.org
overview
Package summary
Distributed compiler with a central scheduler to share build load
Project links
Commands and aliases
- icecc
- icecc-create-env
- icecc-scheduler
- icecc-test-env
- iceccd
- icerun
history
Project history and usage
Icecream is a distributed C and C++ compilation system built around a central scheduler, client wrapper, and worker daemons. It grew from SUSE's build-farm needs and from distcc ideas, then became a common package for developers who want local-network compile acceleration without hand-managing host lists.
Project history
The upstream README and openSUSE wiki both state that Icecream was created by SUSE based on distcc. Like distcc, it distributes compile jobs among remote machines, but its scheduler dynamically chooses the fastest free server, which is especially useful on shared build networks.
The project matured around a small set of Unix-style tools: `icecc` as the compiler wrapper, `iceccd` as the daemon, `icecc-scheduler` as the coordinator, environment packaging helpers for heterogeneous builds, and optional monitors. Its documentation moved from the openSUSE wiki to the GitHub README, while distro packages remained the recommended installation path.
Adoption history
Icecream's natural adopters are Linux distribution builders, KDE/openSUSE developers, embedded teams, and anyone compiling large C or C++ trees on multiple machines. The upstream README explicitly recommends using distribution-maintained packages because startup scripts and integration vary by system.
The input package metadata shows the reason it fits package managers well: Homebrew, Debian, Fedora, Nix, Ubuntu, and openSUSE all package it, often alongside the `icemon` graphical monitor or other status tools.
How it is used
A minimal Icecream network runs one scheduler and one or more daemons. Developers put the Icecream compiler wrapper directory early in PATH or use integration with ccache, then normal builds send eligible compile jobs to workers.
The project also supports heterogeneous and cross-compilation setups by packaging compiler environments, which is one of the key differences from a simple remote-shell build farm.
Why package nerds care
Icecream is package-nerd significant because it turns spare machines into build capacity using ordinary distro packages and shell environment changes. It is a classic example of build tooling whose most valuable feature is not a new compiler, but coordination around existing compilers.
It also sits in the same mental category as distcc, ccache, and sccache, which makes it a recurring comparison point for developers optimizing package builds.
Timeline
- 2013: The openSUSE wiki page recorded SUSE origins and distcc lineage.
- 2010s: Documentation moved from the openSUSE wiki into the GitHub README.
- 2019: Icecream 1.2 and 1.3 tags appear in the public repository history.
- 2020s: Distribution packages continue to ship Icecream with scheduler, daemon, wrapper, and environment tools.
Related projects
- distcc is the earlier distributed compilation project that inspired Icecream's basic model.
- icemon and icecream-sundae are monitor tools recommended by the Icecream README.
- ccache can be combined with Icecream by using `CCACHE_PREFIX=icecc`.
Sources
security posture
Risk level: orange
formula declares a Homebrew service.
Risk classifier
orange risk · medium confidence · infrastructure
Why
- formula declares a Homebrew service
Signals
- metadata:service
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Formula metadata declares a service or daemon block.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 13 platform targets.
- Installs with 3 runtime dependencies.
- Build metadata lists 5 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
icecc | cli | global executable | |
icecc-create-env | cli | global executable | |
icecc-scheduler | cli | global executable | |
icecc-test-env | cli | global executable | |
iceccd | cli | global executable | |
icerun | 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 version1.4
manager updated2026-06-13
local dataok
upstreamcurrent
latest detected1.4
https://github.com/icecc/icecream
- okNo freshness warnings were generated.
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:icecream |
|---|---|
| Version | 1.4 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/icecream |
| Homepage | https://en.opensuse.org/Icecream |
| Repository | https://github.com/icecc/icecream |
| Upstream docs | https://github.com/icecc/icecream |
| License | GPL-2.0-or-later |
| Source archive | https://github.com/icecc/icecream/archive/refs/tags/1.4.tar.gz |
| Last updated | 2026-06-13T23:34:59+02:00 |
| Pulse | updated |
| Dependencies | libarchive, lzo, zstd |
| Build dependencies | autoconf, automake, docbook2x, libtool, pkgconf |
| Bottle | available (on arm64_big_sur, arm64_linux, arm64_monterey, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, big_sur, catalina, monterey, sonoma, ventura, x86_64_linux) |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | declared |
| Caveats | To override the toolset with icecc, add to your path: $HOMEBREW_PREFIX/opt/icecream/libexec/icecc/bin |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew formula API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/core |
| Full Name | icecream |
| 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 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%
icecream 1.3-6
lightweight stream download utility
http://icecream.sourceforge.net
sudo apt install icecream- Section: net
- Architecture: all
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Icecream
Nix95%
icecream
nix profile install nixpkgs#icecream- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Icecream
Ubuntu apt95%
icecream 1.3-5
lightweight stream download utility
http://icecream.sourceforge.net
sudo apt install icecream- Section: universe/net
- Architecture: all
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Icecream
dnf95%
icecream 1.4-0.18.rc1.fc44
Distributed compiler
https://github.com/icecc/icecream
sudo dnf install icecream- License: GPL-2.0-or-later
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: i686
- Source Package: icecream
- 19 dependencies
- 5 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Icecream
dnf95%
icecream-devel 1.4-0.18.rc1.fc44
Development files for icecream
https://github.com/icecc/icecream
sudo dnf install icecream-devel- License: GPL-2.0-or-later
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: i686
- Source Package: icecream
- 7 dependencies
- 2 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Icecream
zypper95%
icecream 1.4.0-4.3
Distributed Compilation in the Network
https://github.com/icecc/icecream
sudo zypper install icecream- License: GPL-2.0-or-later AND LGPL-2.1-or-later
- Category: Development/Tools/Building
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: icecream
- 18 dependencies
- 4 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Icecream
zypper95%
icecream-clang-wrappers 1.4.0-4.3
Distributed Compile Wrappers for Clang
https://github.com/icecc/icecream
sudo zypper install icecream-clang-wrappers- License: GPL-2.0-or-later AND LGPL-2.1-or-later
- Category: Development/Tools/Building
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: icecream
- 2 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Icecream
zypper95%
libicecream-devel 1.4.0-4.3
For Distributed Compile in the Network
https://github.com/icecc/icecream
sudo zypper install libicecream-devel- License: GPL-2.0-or-later AND LGPL-2.1-or-later
- Category: Development/Tools/Building
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: icecream
- 6 dependencies
- 2 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Icecream
Debian apt92%
icecc 1.4-1+b3
distributed compiler (client and server)
https://github.com/icecc/icecream
sudo apt install icecc- Section: devel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: icecc
- 13 dependencies
- 3 optional deps
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Icecc
Debian apt92%
libicecc-dev 1.4-1+b3
development files for icecc (distributed compiler)
https://github.com/icecc/icecream
sudo apt install libicecc-dev- Section: libdevel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: icecc
- 4 dependencies
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Icecc
Ubuntu apt92%
icecc 1.4-1build2
distributed compiler (client and server)
https://github.com/icecc/icecream
sudo apt install icecc- Section: universe/devel
- Architecture: amd64
- 13 dependencies
- 3 optional deps
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Icecc
Ubuntu apt92%
libicecc-dev 1.4-1build2
development files for icecc (distributed compiler)
https://github.com/icecc/icecream
sudo apt install libicecc-dev- Section: universe/devel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: icecc
- 4 dependencies
- installed executable or alias match
- Matched by: Icecc
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
- external package-manager database matches
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment