macOS
Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install libvtermlocal Homebrew formula metadata
MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install libvtermMacPorts ports tree · devel/libvterm/Portfile · source: api.github.com
brew
Install libvterm with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper
C99 library which implements a VT220 or xterm terminal emulator. Version 0.3.3 via Homebrew; verified from local package data.
install
Additional install commands
Linux
Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add libvtermAlpine Linux edge package indexes · libvterm · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org
Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install libvterm-binDebian stable package indexes · libvterm-bin · source: deb.debian.org
Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install libvtermFedora Rawhide package metadata · libvterm · source: dl.fedoraproject.org
Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#libvtermnixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/li/libvterm/package.nix · source: api.github.com
Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S libvtermArch Linux sync databases · libvterm · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com
openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install libvterm-developenSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · libvterm-devel · source: download.opensuse.org
overview
Package summary
C99 library which implements a VT220 or xterm terminal emulator
Project links
Commands and aliases
- unterm
- vterm-ctrl
- vterm-dump
history
Project history and usage
libvterm is Paul "LeoNerd" Evans's C99 library for embedding a VT/xterm/ECMA-48 terminal emulator without binding the emulator to a graphics toolkit. In package-manager terms it is a small, sharp terminal-emulation core: applications provide callbacks for drawing while libvterm handles escape sequences, screen state, and terminal behavior.
Project history
The official libvterm page describes it as an abstract C99 implementation of a VT220 or xterm-like terminal emulator that avoids a specific graphics toolkit and avoids malloc during normal running state. Launchpad records the project as registered by Paul Evans on 2010-08-01, with Bazaar as the version-control system and MIT/X/Expat licensing.
The project grew alongside related terminal experiments such as pangoterm and x86term. LeoNerd's project page points to pangoterm as a GTK/Pango terminal using libvterm, and blog posts from the 2010s document the library reaching enough completeness to drive Vim in its own terminal environment.
Adoption history
libvterm became best known beyond its author's ecosystem through editor and terminal embedding work. Neovim maintained a public fork and later documented that vterm had been bundled into Neovim itself under src/nvim/vterm, making libvterm part of the story behind Neovim's built-in :terminal support.
How it is used
Applications embed libvterm when they need terminal parsing and screen-state management but want to draw through their own UI toolkit, TUI layer, or experimental environment. The Homebrew package also ships small utilities such as unterm, vterm-ctrl, and vterm-dump for exercising or inspecting terminal behavior.
Why package nerds care
libvterm is the dependency you notice when a text editor or UI toolkit suddenly grows a real terminal. It is interesting because it packages a historically messy domain, VT and xterm escape behavior, into a reusable C library small enough for distros and embedders to carry.
Timeline
- 2010-08-01: libvterm is registered on Launchpad by Paul "LeoNerd" Evans.
- 2015-03-02: Neovim's libvterm-based terminal work draws public attention in the editor community.
- 2022-09-06: Launchpad lists v0.3 as released.
- 2023-01-15: The official libvterm page is updated and lists libvterm-0.3.3, 0.2, and 0.1.4 tarballs.
Related projects
- Related projects include pangoterm, Tickit, libtermkey, x86term, Neovim's bundled vterm code, and the broader family of VT100, VT220, xterm, and ECMA-48 terminal behavior that terminal emulators implement.
Sources
security posture
Risk level: green
library-like package without higher-risk signals.
Risk classifier
green risk · low confidence · appliance
Why
- library-like package without higher-risk signals
Signals
- metadata:library-like
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 10 platform targets.
- 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
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
unterm | cli | global executable | |
vterm-ctrl | cli | global executable | |
vterm-dump | 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 version0.3.3
manager updated
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/
- infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
- infoRelease/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories.https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/none confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:libvterm |
|---|---|
| Version | 0.3.3 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/libvterm |
| Homepage | https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/ |
| Repository | https://launchpad.net/libvterm |
| Upstream docs | https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm |
| License | MIT |
| Source archive | https://launchpad.net/libvterm/trunk/v0.3/+download/libvterm-0.3.3.tar.gz |
| Build dependencies | libtool |
| 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 | libvterm |
| Version Scheme | 1 |
| 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%
libvterm-bin 0.3.3-3+b1
abstract terminal library (utility programs)
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/
sudo apt install libvterm-bin- Section: misc
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: libvterm
- 2 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
Debian apt95%
libvterm-dev 0.3.3-3+b1
abstract terminal library (development files)
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/
sudo apt install libvterm-dev- Section: libdevel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: libvterm
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
Debian apt95%
libvterm0 0.3.3-3+b1
abstract terminal library
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/
sudo apt install libvterm0- Section: libs
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: libvterm
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
Nix95%
libvterm
nix profile install nixpkgs#libvterm- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
Ubuntu apt95%
libvterm-bin 0.3.3-2build1
abstract terminal library (utility programs)
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/
sudo apt install libvterm-bin- Section: universe/misc
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: libvterm
- 2 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
Ubuntu apt95%
libvterm-dev 0.3.3-2build1
abstract terminal library (development files)
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/
sudo apt install libvterm-dev- Section: universe/libdevel
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: libvterm
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
Ubuntu apt95%
libvterm0 0.3.3-2build1
abstract terminal library
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/
sudo apt install libvterm0- Section: universe/libs
- Architecture: amd64
- Source Package: libvterm
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
apk95%
libvterm 0.3.3-r0
Abstract library implementation of a VT220/xterm/ECMA-48 terminal emulator
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/
sudo apk add libvterm- License: MIT
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: libvterm
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
apk95%
libvterm-dev 0.3.3-r0
Abstract library implementation of a VT220/xterm/ECMA-48 terminal emulator (development files)
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/
sudo apk add libvterm-dev- License: MIT
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: libvterm
- 1 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
apk95%
libvterm-static 0.3.3-r0
Abstract library implementation of a VT220/xterm/ECMA-48 terminal emulator (static library)
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/
sudo apk add libvterm-static- License: MIT
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: libvterm
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
dnf95%
libvterm 0.3.3-7.fc44
An abstract library implementation of a VT220/xterm/ECMA-48 terminal emulator
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm
sudo dnf install libvterm- License: MIT
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: i686
- Source Package: libvterm
- 2 dependencies
- 2 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
dnf95%
libvterm-devel 0.3.3-7.fc44
Development files needed for libvterm
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm
sudo dnf install libvterm-devel- License: MIT
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: i686
- Source Package: libvterm
- 3 dependencies
- 2 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
dnf95%
libvterm-tools 0.3.3-7.fc44
Tools for libvterm
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm
sudo dnf install libvterm-tools- License: MIT
- Category: Unspecified
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: libvterm
- 4 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
pacman95%
libvterm 0.3.3-2
Abstract library implementation of a VT220/xterm/ECMA-48 terminal emulator
https://www.leonerd.org.uk/code/libvterm/
sudo pacman -S libvterm- License: MIT
- Architecture: x86_64
- 1 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
zypper95%
libvterm-devel 0.3.3-1.7
Development files of libvterm
https://launchpad.net/libvterm
sudo zypper install libvterm-devel- License: MIT
- Category: Development/Libraries/C and C++
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: libvterm
- 2 dependencies
- 2 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
zypper95%
libvterm-tools 0.3.3-1.7
Tools for libvterm
https://launchpad.net/libvterm
sudo zypper install libvterm-tools- License: MIT
- Category: System/Console
- Architecture: x86_64
- Source Package: libvterm
- 2 dependencies
- 1 provides
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Libvterm
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