macOS
Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install nodebrewlocal Homebrew formula metadata
brew
Install nodebrew with Homebrew
Node.js version manager. Version 1.2.0 via Homebrew; verified from local package data.
install
Additional install commands
overview
Package summary
Node.js version manager
Project links
Commands and aliases
- nodebrew
history
Project history and usage
`nodebrew` is a Perl-based Node.js version manager by Kazuhito Hokamura. It predates many later Node version-manager workflows and keeps a simple model: download or compile Node.js versions under a per-user root, switch a `current` path, and put that path in the user's shell.
Project history
GitHub metadata shows the repository was created on 2011-11-15. The README presents a curl-to-Perl setup flow, a default root of `$HOME/.nodebrew`, and shell PATH setup using `$HOME/.nodebrew/current/bin`.
The tag history shows v1.0.0 committed on 2018-03-10, v1.1.0 on 2021-04-23, and v1.2.0 on 2022-03-19. Homebrew reported stable version 1.2.0 on 2026-07-01, matching the latest tag listed by GitHub.
Adoption history
By 2026-07-01, GitHub metadata reported 1067 stars and 66 forks. Homebrew's formula API reported 4600 installs over 365 days and 211 installs over 30 days. That places it below `nodenv` in Homebrew usage, but still visible as a long-lived Node version manager.
Its adoption story is strongest among users who prefer a small standalone version manager without the rbenv-style shim system. The README focuses on direct commands rather than project-local automatic switching.
How it is used
Typical usage is `nodebrew install <version>` to download a binary, `nodebrew compile <version>` to build from source, `nodebrew use <version>` to switch, and `nodebrew ls-remote` or `nodebrew ls-all` to inspect available and installed versions. It also supports aliases, pruning old versions, migrating global npm packages, and `nodebrew exec <version> -- <command>` for one-off execution.
The package-nerd distinction is that nodebrew changes the selected version by changing which installation is exposed through `$HOME/.nodebrew/current/bin`. That is simpler than shim dispatch but less project-automatic than `.node-version` managers.
Why package nerds care
It is a useful historical Node manager entry because it represents the single-purpose, per-user install-tree style: no plugin ecosystem, no Python virtualenv integration, and no rbenv ancestry required.
Timeline
- 2011-11-15: GitHub repository `hokaccha/nodebrew` was created.
- 2018-03-10: v1.0.0 tag commit.
- 2021-04-23: v1.1.0 tag commit.
- 2022-03-19: v1.2.0 tag commit.
- 2026-07-01: Homebrew formula API reported stable version 1.2.0.
Related projects
- nvm
- n
- nodenv
- nodeenv
Sources
security posture
Risk level: orange
infrastructure mutation or orchestration signal.
Risk classifier
orange risk · medium confidence · infrastructure
Why
- infrastructure mutation or orchestration signal
Signals
- text:version manager
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 1 platform targets.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
nodebrew | 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 version1.2.0
manager updated
local dataok
upstreamcurrent
latest detectedv1.2.0
https://github.com/hokaccha/nodebrew
- infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:nodebrew |
|---|---|
| Version | 1.2.0 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/nodebrew |
| Homepage | https://github.com/hokaccha/nodebrew |
| Repository | https://github.com/hokaccha/nodebrew |
| Upstream docs | https://github.com/hokaccha/nodebrew#readme |
| License | MIT |
| Source archive | https://github.com/hokaccha/nodebrew/archive/refs/tags/v1.2.0.tar.gz |
| Bottle | available (on all) |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
| Caveats | You need to manually run setup_dirs to create directories required by nodebrew: $HOMEBREW_PREFIX/opt/nodebrew/bin/nodebrew setup_dirs Add path: export PATH=$HOME/.nodebrew/current/bin:$PATH To use Homebrew's directories rather than ~/.nodebrew add to your profile: export NODEBREW_ROOT=$HOMEBREW_PREFIX/var/nodebrew |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew formula API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/core |
| Full Name | nodebrew |
| 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 |
|
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
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment