macpine ☆
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Description:
Lightweight Linux VMs on MacOS
Type: Formula  |  Latest Version: 1.1.5@0  |  Tracked Since: Oct 31, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Developer tools
Tags: virtualization linux qemu development vm
Install: brew install macpine
About:
macpine is a lightweight, QEMU-based virtualization tool for macOS that simplifies the creation and management of Linux VMs. It provides a command-line interface to quickly launch, manage, and SSH into VMs with minimal configuration. Its main value proposition is offering a fast, native, and simple alternative to heavier desktop virtualization solutions.
Key Features:
  • QEMU backend for native performance
  • Simple CLI for VM lifecycle management
  • Port forwarding and volume management
  • Support for multiple Linux distributions
Use Cases:
  • Running local Linux development environments
  • Testing software across different distributions
  • Isolating potentially unsafe applications
Alternatives:
  • UTM – UTM offers a full GUI and broader platform support, while macpine is CLI-focused and streamlined for macOS workflows.
  • multipass – multipass is tightly integrated with Canonical's ecosystem, whereas macpine provides a more generic and lightweight QEMU experience.
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Dec 26, 2025 3:28pm 1.1.5 0 VERSION_BUMP ace3ab37
Oct 31, 2025 3:25pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 7c1f333b
Sep 16, 2025 2:47am 0 VERSION_BUMP 9ff04113
Jan 10, 2025 4:53pm 0 VERSION_BUMP 92dac0a7
Dec 27, 2024 9:29am 0 VERSION_BUMP 6fe0b548
Sep 13, 2024 7:52pm 0 VERSION_BUMP b530571e
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