install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%

brew install mabel

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%

sudo port install mabel

MacPorts ports tree · net/mabel/Portfile · source: api.github.com

overview

Package summary

Fancy BitTorrent client for the terminal

Project links

Commands and aliases

mabel

history

Project history and usage

Mabel is a terminal BitTorrent client with full and mini TUI modes, built on Go terminal-interface and torrent libraries.

Project history

The repository was created in 2021, and the first tagged public release, v0.1.0, was published in June 2022. The README says the name comes from the Hebrew word for flood or deluge, loosely tied to torrenting.

Early releases added pieces expected of a terminal client: encrypted-peer requirements, configurable key bindings, kebab-case config keys, HTTP(S) `.torrent` support, a desktop file, and a borderless option.

Adoption history

Mabel is a niche terminal client rather than a mainstream BitTorrent engine, but it has visible package-manager adoption: the supplied facts list Homebrew and MacPorts, and the upstream README documents both `go install` and Homebrew installation.

The repository has hundreds of GitHub stars, which is meaningful for a small TUI torrent client aimed at users who prefer keyboard-driven terminal workflows.

How it is used

Users run `mabel [OPTIONS] [TORRENT]...`. With no arguments it opens the full TUI; with one infohash, magnet link, or `.torrent` file it opens mini mode; with multiple torrents it opens the full client with those torrents added.

The README documents TOML configuration at `$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/mabel/config.toml`, including download directory, port, logging, encryption behavior, theme choices, and key remapping.

Why package nerds care

Mabel is package-nerd interesting as a modern Go TUI application that packages a BitTorrent engine and terminal UI as a single command with optional desktop integration.

Its XDG config/state behavior and Homebrew install path make it a cleaner fit for package managers than ad hoc terminal torrent scripts.

Timeline

2021: Public GitHub repository created
2022: v0.1.0 initial release
2022: v0.1.2 added required encrypted-peer support
2022: v0.1.5 added HTTP(S) `.torrent` support and a desktop file
2023: v0.1.7 updated dependencies

Related projects

The upstream README credits charmbracelet/bubbletea for terminal UI work.
The upstream README credits anacrolix/torrent for BitTorrent functionality.
Homebrew and MacPorts package Mabel according to the supplied package-manager facts.

Sources

security posture

Risk level: blue

broad file, network, media, or database tool signal.

Risk classifier

blue risk · medium confidence · tool

Why

broad file, network, media, or database tool signal

Signals

text:client

Install behavior

No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 12 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.

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: $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/mabel/config.toml

executables

Installed executables

Command	Kind	Exposure	Note
`mabel`	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 version0.1.7

manager updated

local dataok

upstreamnot checked

latest detectednot detected

https://github.com/smmr-software/mabel

infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
infoNo cached GitHub release or tag data was available.https://github.com/smmr-software/mabelnone confidence

install metadata

Package metadata

Package key	brew:mabel
Version	0.1.7
Package manager	Homebrew
Package manager page	https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/mabel
Homepage	https://github.com/smmr-software/mabel
Repository	https://github.com/smmr-software/mabel
Upstream docs	https://github.com/smmr-software/mabel#readme
License	GPL-3.0-or-later
Source archive	https://github.com/smmr-software/mabel.git
Build dependencies	go
Bottle	available (on arm64_big_sur, arm64_linux, arm64_monterey, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, big_sur, 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	mabel
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.

MacPorts95%

mabel

sudo port install mabel

normalized package name match
Matched by: Mabel

MacPorts ports tree · api.github.com · MacPorts ports tree: net/mabel/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/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/mabel.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 mabel with Homebrew, MacPorts