Install webtorrent-cli with Homebrew, scoop

Project links

• Homepage
• Repository
• Upstream docs
• Package manager page

Commands and aliases

• webtorrent

Project history

The broader WebTorrent project started earlier as a browser-first BitTorrent client using WebRTC data channels and open web standards. The CLI repository and npm package were created in March 2016 to make that ecosystem available outside the browser while keeping the familiar WebTorrent streaming model.

The README states the package's boundary clearly: WebTorrent itself is the browser-capable client, while `webtorrent-cli` is for using WebTorrent from the command line. It uses TCP, UDP, and WebRTC, so it can talk to traditional BitTorrent peers as well as web peers where the protocol bridge is available.

Adoption history

WebTorrent CLI became useful to package-manager users who wanted a scriptable streaming torrent client rather than a desktop GUI. Its npm registry metadata shows continuous package history from 2016 through the 6.x line in 2026, and the GitHub repository remained active with releases through 2026.

Adoption followed WebTorrent's larger pitch: media can begin playing before the whole torrent is downloaded, and seeking can fetch needed pieces on demand. The CLI made those traits available to terminal workflows, media-player handoff, and lightweight servers.

How it is used

Typical usage is `webtorrent <torrent-id>` where the torrent id is a magnet URI, info hash, torrent file, or HTTP(S) URL. The CLI can download, seed, create torrents, and stream media to players or devices such as VLC, IINA, Chromecast, and AirPlay targets.

In package-nerd contexts, WebTorrent CLI is a bridge between the Node.js P2P ecosystem and Unix shell habits: it lets users test WebTorrent behavior, seed files, stream public-domain media, or wire torrent downloads into scripts without opening a full desktop client.

Why package nerds care

The package is notable because it packaged the WebTorrent idea as a single terminal command. That made WebRTC-aware torrenting inspectable and automatable in the same way older BitTorrent clients exposed daemon or CLI modes.

Timeline

• 2013-10: Core `webtorrent` npm package created.
• 2016-03: `webtorrent-cli` GitHub repository and npm package created.
• 2024-06: 5.1.x releases published.
• 2026-04: v6.0.0 published to npm and GitHub releases.

Related projects

• WebTorrent CLI is part of the WebTorrent family alongside the core `webtorrent` library, WebTorrent Desktop, Instant.io, and related WebRTC/BitTorrent tooling. It is a CLI counterpart to GUI clients such as WebTorrent Desktop and traditional BitTorrent clients such as Transmission or uTorrent.

Sources

• https://api.github.com/repos/webtorrent/webtorrent-cli
• https://api.github.com/repos/webtorrent/webtorrent-cli/releases?per_page=5
• https://github.com/webtorrent/webtorrent
• https://github.com/webtorrent/webtorrent-cli
• https://registry.npmjs.org/webtorrent-cli
• https://webtorrent.io/desktop/
• https://webtorrent.io/intro