xquartz ☆
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Description:
Open-source version of the X.Org X Window System
Type: Cask  |  Latest Version: 2.8.5@0  |  Tracked Since: Dec 28, 2025
Links: Homepage  |  formulae.brew.sh
Category: Developer tools
Tags: x11 xorg gui unix linux-compatibility developer-tools
Install: brew install --cask xquartz
About:
XQuartz is an open-source implementation of the X.Org X Window System, providing the graphical services necessary to run X11 applications on macOS. It enables developers and power users to run Linux/Unix GUI software directly on a Mac, serving as a crucial compatibility layer for cross-platform development and remote server administration.
Key Features:
  • Full X11 server implementation for macOS
  • Includes client libraries and utilities (xterm, xauth, etc.)
  • Support for modern macOS features like sandboxing and Gatekeeper
  • Secure remote connection capabilities via SSH tunneling
Use Cases:
  • Running Linux GUI applications on macOS via SSH X11 forwarding
  • Developing and testing cross-platform graphical applications
  • Using legacy Unix/Linux engineering and scientific software
Alternatives:
  • Wayland – Modern successor to X11, but not a direct alternative for legacy X11 apps on macOS
  • VNC – Provides full desktop remoting rather than individual app forwarding, heavier bandwidth usage
Version History
Detected Version Rev Change Commit
Aug 5, 2025 6:01pm 2.8.5 0 VERSION_BUMP 18b8f6dd
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