# Install launch with Homebrew, MacPorts Command-line launcher for macOS, in the spirit of open. Version 1.2.5 via Homebrew; verified from local package data. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:launch ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install launch ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata - MacPorts (94%): ```sh sudo port install launch ``` Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: aqua/launch/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:launch - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 1.2.5 - **Source summary:** Command-line launcher for macOS, in the spirit of open - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** BSD-3-Clause - **Source archive:** - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T07:18:31+00:00 ## Executables - launch (cli) - launch (alias) ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Bottle: available on arm64_big_sur, arm64_monterey, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, big_sur, catalina, monterey, sonoma, ventura ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-08 - Package-manager version: 1.2.5 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://sabi.net/nriley/software/#launch - info: No package-manager update timestamp was available. - info: Release/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories. ## Project history and usage launch is a macOS command-line launcher written by Nicholas Riley in the spirit of Apple's open(1), adding options that Apple's built-in tool did not expose. It belongs to the small tradition of Mac developer utilities that wrap Launch Services behavior in scriptable Unix-style commands. ### Project history The README states the motivation plainly: macOS already has open, but launch offers additional options. Its version history shows continuing maintenance across OS X and macOS transitions, including 64-bit Intel binaries for OS X 10.8 and later in 1.2.4, a 2018 1.2.5 fix, and unreleased Universal 2 signing work for macOS/OS X 10.9 and later. The public GitHub repository is a distribution and maintenance point with no GitHub Releases published, so the README's embedded version history is the main authoritative chronology. ### Adoption history launch is packaged by Homebrew and MacPorts, which fits its audience: macOS users who live in the shell but need Launch Services features more detailed than open's default interface. ### How it is used Users invoke launch from scripts or terminals to open files, URLs, applications, or Launch Services targets with more control than open(1). Its usefulness is mostly macOS-specific and tied to desktop integration rather than portable Unix behavior. ### Why package nerds care For package nerds, launch is a compact example of why macOS package collections are not just Unix ports: they also preserve small native utilities that bridge shell workflows to Cocoa-era system APIs. ### Timeline - 2017: Version 1.2.4 dated 2017-10-01 adjusted installation paths and macOS 10.13 SDK compatibility. - 2018: Version 1.2.5 dated 2018-04-02 fixed option restrictions involving -l. - 2020s: Version 1.2.6d1 README marks unreleased signed Universal 2 binary work for macOS/OS X 10.9 and later. ### Related projects - Related tools include Apple's open(1), macOS Launch Services, Homebrew's launch formula, and the MacPorts launch port. ### Sources - - - ## Security Notes narrow executable package without higher-risk signals. - **Geiger risk:** green / low - narrow executable package without higher-risk signals ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** launch - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 0 - **Head Version:** HEAD - **Requirements:** macos, xcode - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** head, stable ## Other Package-Manager Records - MacPorts - launch: normalized package name match | MacPorts ports tree: aqua/launch/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ## Related links - [Terminal utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Networking and protocol packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/networking-protocol-tools/) - Matched network, protocol, or remote-service metadata. - [Homebrew utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew-utility-packages/) - Matched Homebrew package provider. - [Secret-risk packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/secret-risk-packages/) - Matched curated package taxonomy and local package facts. - [m-cli](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/m-cli/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system, system-utility. - [mist-cli](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/mist-cli/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system, system-utility. - [dark-mode](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/dark-mode/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system. - [defaultbrowser](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/defaultbrowser/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system. - [devcockpit](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/devcockpit/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system. - [fileicon](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/fileicon/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system. - [infat](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/infat/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system. - [mas](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/mas/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system. - [brightness](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/brightness/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cli, command-line, line, macos, system. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/launch.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/launch.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated package history - package version freshness - av.db category and tag curation - package relationship graph - external package-manager database matches - cross-ecosystem install command graph