install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%

brew install xc

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%

sudo port install xc

MacPorts ports tree · sysutils/xc/Portfile · source: api.github.com

Linux

Nixverified · 92%

nix profile install nixpkgs#xc

nixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/xc/xc/package.nix · source: api.github.com

Windows

Scoopverified · 92%

scoop install extras/xc

Scoop official bucket manifest trees · bucket/xc.json · source: api.github.com

overview

Package summary

Markdown defined task runner

Project links

Commands and aliases

xc

history

Project history and usage

xc is a docs-based task runner that defines runnable tasks in Markdown or org-mode files. Its documentation describes it as similar to Make or npm run, but designed to keep project scripts inline with human-readable documentation.

Project history

The project was introduced publicly through Joe Davidson's writing and GitHub repository as a README task runner. GitHub release metadata shows published releases from v0.0.30 in October 2021 through v0.9.0 in January 2026.

Over time xc expanded from Markdown task blocks into a broader docs-as-interface tool. The current documentation lists task syntax features, inputs, dependencies, IDE support, GitHub Actions guidance, and org-mode support.

Adoption history

xc belongs to the post-Makefile family of small task runners that try to make project automation discoverable. Its adoption signal is strongest in developer-tool packaging and documentation culture: the README advertises Go reference docs, Awesome Go mention, editor integrations, and badges for xc-compatible projects.

How it is used

Users create a task section in README.md, README.org, or another supported documentation file, then define tasks as headings with code blocks. Running `xc task-name` executes the documented command, while the same file remains readable for contributors who do not have xc installed.

The official docs show tasks for testing, linting, building, tagging, updating Nix flakes, and building documentation. That makes xc especially useful for small repositories that want one visible place for both contributor instructions and local automation.

Why package nerds care

xc is package-nerd interesting because it collapses a task runner and contributor docs into one file. It trades the power of a dedicated DSL for the low-friction convention that many repositories already start with a README.

Timeline

2021: GitHub release history shows v0.0.30 published in October.
2023: The project is discussed publicly as a self-documenting README task runner.
2026: v0.9.0 is published with changelog entries including org-mode parsing and documentation/community updates.

Related projects

The project compares itself to Make and npm run. In the broader task-runner niche it is related to markdown-oriented runners such as mask and to general task tools such as Task.

Sources

security posture

Risk level: green

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.

Risk classifier

green risk · low confidence · appliance

Why

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals

Signals

metadata:no-higher-risk-signals

Install behavior

No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
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: ./README.md./README.org

executables

Installed executables

Command	Kind	Exposure	Note
`xc`	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 version0.9.0

manager updated

local dataok

upstreamcurrent

latest detectedv0.9.0

https://github.com/joerdav/xc

infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence

install metadata

Package metadata

Package key	brew:xc
Version	0.9.0
Package manager	Homebrew
Package manager page	https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/xc
Homepage	https://xcfile.dev/
Repository	https://github.com/joerdav/xc
Upstream docs	https://xcfile.dev/
License	MIT
Source archive	https://github.com/joerdav/xc/archive/refs/tags/v0.9.0.tar.gz
Build dependencies	go
Bottle	available (on arm64_linux, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, sonoma, x86_64_linux)
Homebrew post-install	not defined
Service	none declared

registry facts

Source database details

Source Database	Homebrew formula API
Tap	homebrew/core
Full Name	xc
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	head stable

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

Nix95%

xc

nix profile install nixpkgs#xc

normalized package name match
Matched by: Xc

nixpkgs package indexes · api.github.com · nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/xc/xc/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1

MacPorts95%

xc

sudo port install xc

normalized package name match
Matched by: Xc

MacPorts ports tree · api.github.com · MacPorts ports tree: sysutils/xc/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1

Scoop95%

extras/xc

scoop install extras/xc

normalized package name match
Matched by: Xc

Scoop official bucket manifest trees · api.github.com · Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/xc.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Extras/git/trees/master?recursive=1

package graph

Links come from deterministic package relationships, av.db category and tag curation, ecosystem matches, and package hub membership.

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.

combined/xc.yml

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

Install xc with Homebrew, MacPorts, Nix, scoop