Top 20 Homebrew Packages for Developers in 2024

Homebrew has revolutionized how developers install and manage software on macOS. In this article, we'll explore the 20 most useful Homebrew packages for developers in 2024, and how Bold Brew can make their management even easier.

Version Control and Management Tools

1. git

The most widely used version control system in the world, essential for any developer.

brew install git

2. git-lfs

Git extension for managing large files.

brew install git-lfs

3. tig

A text interface for navigating Git repositories.

brew install tig

Shell and Terminal

4. zsh

A powerful shell with numerous additional features compared to bash.

brew install zsh

5. tmux

A terminal multiplexer that allows you to manage multiple sessions in a single window.

brew install tmux

6. oh-my-zsh

Framework for managing zsh configuration (installable after zsh).

sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.github.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)"

Databases

7. postgresql

A powerful open-source SQL database.

brew install postgresql

8. mysql

The popular relational database management system.

brew install mysql

9. redis

In-memory NoSQL database for high-performance caching.

brew install redis

Programming Languages and Runtimes

10. node

JavaScript runtime based on Chrome's V8 for backend development.

brew install node

11. python

Versatile programming language for data science, web development, and automation.

brew install python

12. go

Google's language known for performance and efficiency.

brew install go

Network Utilities

13. wget

Utility for downloading content from the web.

brew install wget

14. curl

Tool for transferring data with URLs.

brew install curl

15. nmap

Powerful network scanning tool.

brew install nmap

Productivity Tools

16. fzf

Command-line fuzzy finder for quick searches.

brew install fzf

17. ripgrep (rg)

An incredibly fast alternative to grep.

brew install ripgrep

18. htop

Enhanced interactive system monitor.

brew install htop

Containerization

19. docker

Platform for developing, shipping, and running containerized applications.

brew install --cask docker

20. kubernetes-cli

CLI tool for managing Kubernetes clusters.

brew install kubernetes-cli

The Package Management Challenge

While these tools are powerful, managing a growing number of Homebrew packages through the command line can become complicated:

• Forgetting which packages are installed
• Losing track of available updates
• Difficulty finding and removing unused packages
• Confusion between dependencies and main packages

Bold Brew: An Elegant Solution

Bold Brew (bbrew) solves these challenges by offering an elegant TUI (Terminal User Interface) for managing your Homebrew packages:

Advantages of Bold Brew

1. Intuitive Visualization - See all installed packages in an organized interface
2. Simplified Updates - Update single or multiple packages with a few keystrokes
3. Instant Search - Find new packages in real-time as you type
4. Clear Dependencies - Graphical display of package relationships
5. Efficient Management - Install and uninstall packages without memorizing commands

Installing Bold Brew

You can install Bold Brew with a simple command:

brew install Valkyrie00/homebrew-bbrew/bbrew

Once installed, simply run:

bbrew

Installation Workflow with Bold Brew

With Bold Brew, installing the 20 packages mentioned above becomes incredibly simple:

1. Start Bold Brew with bbrew
2. Press / to search for a package
3. Navigate with arrows and select with space
4. Press i to install selected packages

With this intuitive interface, you can manage dozens of packages in half the time required by the traditional command line.

Conclusion

The Homebrew packages listed in this article are essential tools for any macOS developer in 2024. To manage them efficiently, Bold Brew offers a superior user experience that will save you time and frustration.

If you haven't already, try Bold Brew today:

brew install Valkyrie00/homebrew-bbrew/bbrew

Discover a more elegant and productive way to interact with Homebrew, and focus on what really matters: writing exceptional code.

Do you have other favorite Homebrew packages that you think should be on the list? Share them in the comments below!