# Install nethack with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, winget, zypper Single-player roguelike video game. Version 5.0.0 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-11. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:nethack ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install nethack ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata - MacPorts (94%): ```sh sudo port install nethack ``` Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: games/nethack/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ### Linux - apk (92%): ```sh sudo apk add nethack ``` Evidence: Alpine Linux edge package indexes: nethack from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz - Debian apt (92%): ```sh sudo apt install nethack-common ``` Evidence: Debian stable package indexes: nethack-common from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz - dnf (92%): ```sh sudo dnf install nethack ``` Evidence: Fedora Rawhide package metadata: nethack from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#nethack ``` Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ne/nethack/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - pacman (92%): ```sh sudo pacman -S nethack ``` Evidence: Arch Linux sync databases: nethack from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz - zypper (92%): ```sh sudo zypper install nethack ``` Evidence: openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: nethack from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst ### Windows - winget (92%): ```sh winget install --id Nethack.Nethack -e ``` Evidence: Windows Package Manager source index: Nethack.Nethack from https://cdn.winget.microsoft.com/cache/source.msix ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:nethack - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 5.0.0 - **Source summary:** Single-player roguelike video game - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** NGPL - **Source archive:** - **Last updated:** 2026-06-11T23:18:16+02:00 - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T07:18:31+00:00 ## Executables - nethack (cli) - nethack (alias) ## Dependencies - ncurses ## Build dependencies - groff ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: 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: 5.0.0 - Package-manager updated: 2026-06-11 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://www.nethack.org/ - info: Release/tag comparison is only available for GitHub repositories. ## Project history and usage NetHack is one of the canonical open source roguelikes: a single-player dungeon exploration game descended from Rogue and Hack, with the official 5.0 material describing it as a direct descendant of NetHack 3.6 and a distant descendant of Rogue and Hack. The official site describes the game as portable across many computer systems, with graphical and text interfaces over the same game engine, and with an emphasis on learning dungeon details rather than simply killing every monster. The Homebrew formula tracks the 5.0.0 source release and reported 2,205 installs in the 365-day window in its API generated on 2026-07-01. That is modest package-manager volume, but NetHack's importance is cultural and historical: the official site itself links to long-running USENET discussion, articles, academic references, and AI challenge material. ### Project history The official repository README for NetHack 5.0.0 says the release is an enhancement to the dungeon exploration game NetHack, a distant descendant of Rogue and Hack, and a direct descendant of NetHack 3.6. The official home page announced NetHack 5.0.0 on 2026-05-02, followed by updated platform binaries in May and June 2026. The official information page preserves the old-school release culture around the project: new versions are announced on the website and USENET, and release dates are not forecast. The same page explains that the 'Net' in NetHack refers to the distributed way developers organize work, not multiplayer gameplay. ### Adoption history NetHack's adoption is deeper than raw install counters suggest. The official site still points players to rec.games.roguelike.nethack, rec.games.roguelike.announce, print references, web retrospectives, AI-related work, and public community discussion, which is exactly how a terminal game from the 1980s stayed alive across Unix, Windows, macOS, Amiga, MS-DOS, and other ports. On Homebrew, the 2026-07-01 formula API reported stable version 5.0.0 with 195 installs in 30 days, 1,061 in 90 days, and 2,205 in 365 days. GitHub showed the official mirror with thousands of stars and a 5.0.0 release dated 2026-05-02. ### How it is used Package users install it to run the `nethack` executable, usually as a terminal roguelike with personal settings in a `.nethackrc`. Practical use is not automation or library integration; it is playing a famously deep procedural dungeon game, often with custom options, tiles or curses front ends, and community servers or local builds. The package-nerd use case is preservation-friendly portability: build it on odd platforms, run it over SSH, test old-school terminal behavior, or keep a classic roguelike in a package collection. Its save and bones files are version-sensitive, which the official information page calls out for 5.0.0. ### Why package nerds care NetHack is a package collection staple because it is both software history and a living C codebase. A package index that lacks it looks culturally thin, even if the install count is smaller than modern developer tools. ### Timeline - 1985-2026: official site copyright range for NetHack-related code. - 2023-02-16: NetHack 3.6.7 release notes announced a security-fix release. - 2026-05-02: official home page announced NetHack 5.0.0. - 2026-06-09: official home page announced updated 5.0.0 binaries for Windows, Amiga, and MS-DOS. ### Related projects - Rogue - Hack - NetHack Challenge - rec.games.roguelike.nethack ### Sources - - - - - ## Security Notes No matching local secret-handling manifest was found for nethack. Nucleus package metadata is still published here so future coverage has a stable package URL. ## 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: ~/.nethackrc ## Source Database Details - **Source Database:** Homebrew formula API - **Tap:** homebrew/core - **Full Name:** nethack - **Version Scheme:** 0 - **Revision:** 0 - **Head Version:** HEAD - **Bottle Stable Root URL:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** head, stable ## Other Package-Manager Records - Debian apt - nethack-common - 3.6.7-1+b2: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: nethack-common from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | dungeon crawl game - common files | https://www.nethack.org - Debian apt - nethack-console - 3.6.7-1+b2: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: nethack-console from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | dungeon crawl game - text-based interface | https://www.nethack.org - Debian apt - nethack-qt - 3.6.7-1+b2: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: nethack-qt from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | dungeon crawl game - Qt interface | https://www.nethack.org - Debian apt - nethack-x11 - 3.6.7-1+b2: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: nethack-x11 from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | dungeon crawl game - X11 interface | https://www.nethack.org - Nix - nethack: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/ne/nethack/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - Ubuntu apt - nethack-common - 3.6.7-1build3: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: nethack-common from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | dungeon crawl game - common files | https://www.nethack.org - Ubuntu apt - nethack-console - 3.6.7-1build3: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: nethack-console from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | dungeon crawl game - text-based interface | https://www.nethack.org - Ubuntu apt - nethack-qt - 3.6.7-1build3: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: nethack-qt from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | dungeon crawl game - Qt interface | https://www.nethack.org - Ubuntu apt - nethack-x11 - 3.6.7-1build3: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: nethack-x11 from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | dungeon crawl game - X11 interface | https://www.nethack.org - apk - nethack - 3.6.7-r2: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: nethack from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | A single player dungeon exploration game | https://www.nethack.org/ - apk - nethack-doc - 3.6.7-r2: normalized package name match | Alpine Linux edge package indexes: nethack-doc from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz | A single player dungeon exploration game (documentation) | https://www.nethack.org/ - dnf - nethack - 3.6.7-9.fc44: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: nethack from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst | A rogue-like single player dungeon exploration game | https://nethack.org - dnf - nethack-bitmap-fonts - 3.6.7-9.fc44: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: nethack-bitmap-fonts from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst | Bitmap fonts for Nethack | https://nethack.org - dnf - nethack-bitmap-fonts-core - 3.6.7-9.fc44: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: nethack-bitmap-fonts-core from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/e5ca8ce900cd68f5419e1c39ae517343100b306336cbaeb70a3c153121d95094-primary.xml.zst | X11 core fonts configuration for nethack-bitmap | https://nethack.org - pacman - nethack - 3.6.7-6: normalized package name match | Arch Linux sync databases: nethack from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz | A single player dungeon exploration game | https://www.nethack.org - zypper - nethack - 3.6.7-1.3: normalized package name match | openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: nethack from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/be8d3611d25469107f32075a1697e69ec57a2b850b42348a658cc671ad5ec2b50760d02c3e59524d50da9a11d5be799bdaffba2e166e8ca8858512e3c0bd665d-primary.xml.zst | Turn-based role-playing game | https://www.nethack.org ## 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. - [Media and graphics packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/media-graphics-tools/) - Matched media, image, audio, video, or graphics metadata. - [Game and emulation packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/game-emulation-tools/) - Matched game or emulation metadata. - [ncurses](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/ncurses/) - Runtime dependency declared by Homebrew. - [groff](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/groff/) - Build dependency declared by Homebrew. - [brogue](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/brogue/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, dungeon-crawler, game, games, roguelike. - [jnethack](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/jnethack/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, game, games, roguelike, terminal-game. - [rogue](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/rogue/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, dungeon-crawler, game, games, roguelike. - [unnethack](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/unnethack/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, game, games, roguelike, terminal-game. - [allureofthestars](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/allureofthestars/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, game, games, roguelike. - [angband](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/angband/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, game, games, roguelike. - [avanor](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/avanor/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, game, games, roguelike. - [cataclysm](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/cataclysm/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, game, games, roguelike. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/nethack.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/nethack.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