libsixel ☆

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Description:
SIXEL encoder/decoder implementation

Type: Formula | Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025

Links: Homepage | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Multimedia

Tags: sixel terminal graphics image-conversion library

Install: brew install libsixel

About:
Libsixel is a compact, portable reference implementation of the SIXEL graphics format, which allows displaying images in terminal emulators that support the protocol. It provides encoders to convert standard image formats like PNG and JPEG into SIXEL sequences, and decoders to render SIXEL data back into images. This enables users to view rich graphics and charts directly within a command-line interface without leaving the terminal.

Key Features:

Sixel encoder and decoder in a single library
Supports multiple input formats (PNG, JPEG, GIF, etc.)
Minimal dependencies for easy integration
Provides command-line tools for conversion and display
Cross-platform compatibility

Use Cases:

Displaying charts and graphs generated by command-line scripts directly in the terminal
Previewing images during file management or batch processing tasks
Enriching terminal-based applications with inline graphics
Remote server administration where graphical desktop access is unavailable

Alternatives:

iTerm2 – A terminal emulator with built-in image display, but libsixel provides a portable standard that works across different terminals.
chafa – Converts images to ANSI/Unicode character art, whereas libsixel renders actual pixel graphics using the SIXEL protocol.

Version History

Detected	Version	Rev	Change	Commit
Sep 11, 2025 9:15am		0	VERSION_BUMP	34d0dd18
Jan 11, 2025 10:49pm		0	VERSION_BUMP	40a344a4