macOS
Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install smartdnslocal Homebrew formula metadata
brew
Install smartdns with Homebrew, apt, Nix, pacman
Rule-based DNS server for fast IP resolution, DoT/DoQ/DoH/DoH3 supported. Version 0.13.1 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-27.
install
Additional install commands
Linux
Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install smartdnsDebian stable package indexes · smartdns · source: deb.debian.org
Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#smartdnsnixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/sm/smartdns/package.nix · source: api.github.com
Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S smartdnsArch Linux sync databases · smartdns · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com
overview
Package summary
Rule-based DNS server for fast IP resolution, DoT/DoQ/DoH/DoH3 supported
Project links
Commands and aliases
- smartdns
history
Project history and usage
SmartDNS-rs is a Rust implementation of the SmartDNS idea: a local DNS server that queries multiple upstream resolvers and returns the fastest result for the local network. In package-manager terms it sits in the same practical niche as dnsmasq-like local resolvers, but with modern encrypted DNS protocols and cross-platform packaging.
Project history
The upstream SmartDNS project documents the core design: accept local DNS queries, ask multiple upstream DNS servers, test or select the fastest reachable address, and return that result. SmartDNS-rs states that it was inspired by the C SmartDNS project and was written because the original was mainly Linux-oriented while the Rust version targets Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android Termux with compatible configuration.
Adoption history
SmartDNS-rs gained package-manager visibility through Homebrew as `smartdns`, with the README documenting `brew install smartdns` and service startup through Homebrew services. The supplied package metadata also records packages in Debian, Ubuntu, Arch, and Nix, which places it beyond a single-platform GitHub binary.
How it is used
Typical use is as a local DNS daemon, often listening on port 53, configured with upstream DoH, DoT, DoQ, or DoH3 resolvers and domain-specific rules. The README shows running it with `smartdns run -c ./smartdns.conf -v`, installing it as a service, and using `dig` CHAOS TXT diagnostics for server/client information.
Why package nerds care
Package maintainers care because SmartDNS-rs combines DNS daemon behavior, privileged port binding, service integration, cross-platform binaries, and Rust dependency management in one formula. It is also a small example of a C networking utility being reworked for broader package-manager portability.
Timeline
- 2022: First GitHub release of smartdns-rs, 0.1.3, was published.
- 2020s: README documents Homebrew installation and cross-platform service management.
- 2020s: The Rust version documents compatibility with the original C SmartDNS configuration model.
Related projects
- The README names the original C SmartDNS project as inspiration and Hickory DNS as a dependency or code source. It also positions the tool near dnsmasq-like local DNS servers.
Sources
- GitHub releases API for mokeyish/smartdns-rs: first published release 0.1.3 on 2022-12-04.
- https://github.com/mokeyish/smartdns-rs README: description, C SmartDNS inspiration, cross-platform rationale, install and usage examples.
- https://pymumu.github.io/smartdns/en/: original SmartDNS design, fastest-IP behavior, platform and protocol support.
- input source_facts.package-manager: Homebrew, Debian, Ubuntu, Nix, and Arch package names.
security posture
Risk level: orange
broad file, network, media, or database tool signal. formula declares a Homebrew service.
Risk classifier
orange risk · medium confidence · infrastructure
Why
- broad file, network, media, or database tool signal
- formula declares a Homebrew service
Signals
- metadata:service
- text:server
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- Formula metadata declares a service or daemon block.
- Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 6 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
./smartdns.conf./etc/smartdns/smartdns.conf
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
smartdns | 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 version0.13.1
manager updated2026-06-27
local dataok
upstreamcurrent
latest detectedv0.13.1
https://github.com/mokeyish/smartdns-rs
- okNo freshness warnings were generated.
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | brew:smartdns |
|---|---|
| Version | 0.13.1 |
| Package manager | Homebrew |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/smartdns |
| Homepage | https://github.com/mokeyish/smartdns-rs |
| Repository | https://github.com/mokeyish/smartdns-rs |
| Upstream docs | https://github.com/mokeyish/smartdns-rs#readme |
| License | GPL-3.0-only |
| Source archive | https://github.com/mokeyish/smartdns-rs/archive/refs/tags/v0.13.1.tar.gz |
| Last updated | 2026-06-27T19:43:42Z |
| Pulse | updated |
| Build dependencies | rust |
| Bottle | available (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux) |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | declared |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew formula API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/core |
| Full Name | smartdns |
| 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 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%
smartdns 46.1+dfsg-1
local DNS server to obtain the fastest IP for the best experience
https://github.com/pymumu/smartdns
sudo apt install smartdns- Section: net
- Architecture: amd64
- 3 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Smartdns
Nix95%
smartdns
nix profile install nixpkgs#smartdns- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Smartdns
Ubuntu apt95%
smartdns 45+dfsg-1build2
local DNS server to obtain the fastest IP for the best experience
https://github.com/pymumu/smartdns
sudo apt install smartdns- Section: universe/net
- Architecture: amd64
- 3 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Smartdns
pacman95%
smartdns 48-1
A local DNS server to obtain the fastest website IP for the best Internet experience
https://github.com/pymumu/smartdns
sudo pacman -S smartdns- License: GPL-3.0-or-later
- Architecture: x86_64
- 3 dependencies
- normalized package name match
- Matched by: Smartdns
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 configuration and credential file locations
- curated package history
- external package-manager database matches
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment