# Install mask with Homebrew, MacPorts, Nix, scoop CLI task runner defined by a simple markdown file. Version 0.11.7 via Homebrew; verified from local package data. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:mask ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install mask ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata - MacPorts (94%): ```sh sudo port install mask ``` Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: sysutils/mask/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ### Linux - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#mask ``` Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ma/mask/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ### Windows - Scoop (92%): ```sh scoop install main/mask ``` Evidence: Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/mask.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Main/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:mask - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 0.11.7 - **Source summary:** CLI task runner defined by a simple markdown file - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** MIT - **Source archive:** - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T07:18:31+00:00 ## Executables - mask (cli) - mask (alias) ## Build dependencies - rust ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Bottle: available on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-08 - Package-manager version: 0.11.7 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://github.com/jacobdeichert/mask - Upstream latest detected: mask/0.11.7 (current) - info: No package-manager update timestamp was available. ## Project history and usage mask is a Rust CLI task runner whose commands are defined in a Markdown file. It treats `maskfile.md` as both human-readable project documentation and executable command metadata. ### Project history The mask repository was created in July 2019, and the earliest GitHub releases followed within the same month. Its initial release introduced the core Markdown-driven task-runner idea; later early releases added shell executors and adjusted argument syntax so required arguments would not conflict with Markdown rendering. The README explains the author's motivation: mask grew from frustration with Makefile syntax, interest in `just`, and inspiration from `maid`, while choosing a single Rust binary instead of an npm package with many dependencies. That origin is central to its package identity: a lightweight executable with docs-as-commands semantics. ### Adoption history mask has modest but real adoption for a specialized developer tool, with GitHub showing around 1.6k stars and packaging in Homebrew, MacPorts, Nix, and Scoop according to the supplied package metadata. Its adoption is concentrated among users who prefer checked-in project task files that read like documentation, especially where a `Makefile` or ad hoc scripts feel too terse for onboarding. ### How it is used A project defines headings, blockquotes, options, and code blocks in `maskfile.md`; running `mask build` or another subcommand executes the associated script. The README documents support for positional arguments, named flags, multiple runtimes, nested commands, and injected helper variables. By default mask searches the current directory for `maskfile.md`, but `--maskfile ` lets users run a project or global task file from another location. ### Why package nerds care mask is interesting to package users because it competes in the same ergonomic space as `make`, `just`, and npm scripts while using Markdown as the configuration language. The single-binary Rust distribution model makes it easy to install through general package managers, which fits its pitch as a low-friction project automation tool. ### Timeline - 2019: GitHub repository created. - 2019: v0.2.0 initial public release. - 2019: v0.2.1 adds bash, zsh, and fish executors. - 2026: GitHub lists mask v0.11.7 as the latest release in January 2026. ### Related projects - mask is conceptually related to `make`, `just`, and `maid`. - Its parser is also exposed as the `mask-parser` crate, though the README says it is not yet documented or stable. ### Sources - - - - source_facts.package-manager-url ## Security Notes narrow executable package without higher-risk signals. - **Geiger risk:** green / low - narrow executable package without higher-risk signals ## 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 - Unix: maskfile.md, file supplied with --maskfile ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** mask - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 0 - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** stable ## Other Package-Manager Records - Nix - mask: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ma/mask/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - MacPorts - mask: normalized package name match | MacPorts ports tree: sysutils/mask/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - Scoop - main/mask: normalized package name match | Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/mask.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Main/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ## Related links - [Source-control packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/source-control-tools/) - Belongs to a source-control command family. - [Terminal utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Text processing packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/text-processing-tools/) - Matched text, document, or structured-data processing metadata. - [Developer build packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/developer-build-tools/) - Matched build, compiler, generator, or developer workflow metadata. - [rust](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/rust/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [xc](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/xc/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: automation, cli, developer-tools, markdown, task-runner. - [go-task](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/go-task/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: automation, cli, developer-tools, task-runner. - [just](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/just/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: automation, cli, developer-tools, task-runner. - [run](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/run/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: automation, cli, developer-tools, task-runner. - [dum](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/dum/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, developer-tools, task-runner. - [ahoy](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/ahoy/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: automation, cli, developer-tools, task-runner. - [boot-clj](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/boot-clj/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: automation, cli, developer-tools, scripting. - [cmdshelf](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/cmdshelf/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: automation, cli, developer-tools, scripting. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/mask.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/mask.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated configuration and credential file locations - 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