pkgx ☆

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Description:
Standalone binary that can run anything

Type: Formula | Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025

Links: Homepage | @pkgxsh | formulae.brew.sh

Category: Developer tools

Tags: package-manager runtime developer-tools reproducibility dev-environment

Install: brew install pkgx

About:
Pkgx is a standalone executable that resolves and runs any version of any tool or dependency on-demand. It combines a package manager with a runtime to provide instant access to tools without installation or environment pollution. This enables reproducible environments and eliminates dependency conflicts across projects.

Key Features:

Zero-install execution of any tool or dependency
Automatic version resolution from the command line
Reproducible environments via pkgx.yaml files
Cross-platform support (macOS, Linux, Windows)
No sudo or system-wide changes required

Use Cases:

Running specific versions of development tools without installing them
Creating reproducible build environments across different machines
Quickly testing different versions of CLI tools or dependencies
Isolating project-specific toolchains without container overhead

Alternatives:

nix – More powerful but complex; requires Nix installation and learning curve
docker – Heavier containers vs lightweight process isolation; pkgx is faster for single commands
asdf – Version manager requiring plugin installation; pkgx works out-of-the-box

Version History

Detected	Version	Rev	Change	Commit