Homebrew is a powerful package management system that has been adapted for use on Linux, including Bazzite. On Bazzite, Homebrew comes pre-installed, so you can immediately install, update, and remove software without running an installation script.

Why Use Homebrew in Bazzite?

Bazzite focuses on an immutable, atomic base system managed by tools like bootc and rpm-ostree, ensuring stability and security. However, many users require additional, user-specific software that isn’t part of the core image. Homebrew provides:

• Flexibility: Easily install and update a wide range of command-line tools and applications.
• User-Centric Management: Manage software in your user space without interfering with the core system.
• Rapid Access: Benefit from a continuously updated repository of software (formulae) for quick access to the latest versions.
• Separation from Core Updates: Keep user-installed applications isolated from the atomic base, maintaining system integrity.

What Homebrew Does and How It Works

Homebrew uses a repository of “formulae” – scripts that define how software is installed, including dependency management and configuration details. When you run a Homebrew command on Bazzite:

• Installation: You simply use brew install <package> to install software. 
• Updating: Homebrew manages its own software and the list of available formulae separately from your installed packages.
• Removal: If you no longer need a package, you can easily remove it with brew uninstall <package>.

Basic Homebrew Commands on Bazzite

Installing Software

Since Homebrew is pre-installed on Bazzite, installing software is as simple as:

For example, to install Git, run:

Updating Homebrew

The command brew update updates Homebrew itself. It fetches the latest versions of the Homebrew formulae (the recipes for installing software) and Homebrew's own software from its Git repositories. Essentially, it refreshes the list of available software and their versions. This command updates Homebrew’s programs and the lists of what programs are available – it does not upgrade the software you’ve already installed.

Upgrading Installed Packages

After running brew update, you can use brew upgrade to upgrade the outdated software packages (formulae) that you have already installed via Homebrew. Typing brew upgrade without any arguments will upgrade every outdated package that Homebrew manages. You can also upgrade a specific package by running brew upgrade <formula>.

Removing Software

If you no longer need a package, you can remove it with:

This command removes the package from your system and cleans up its associated files from Homebrew’s directories.

Listing Installed Packages

To see all the software you’ve installed with Homebrew, run:

Advanced Usage and Integration

Homebrew on Bazzite is designed to complement the stable, immutable base system. Since it installs software in user space, it allows you to:

• Use Custom Taps: Extend the range of available software by adding custom repositories.
• Customize Formulae: Advanced users can modify formulae to tailor the build and installation process for specific needs.
• Maintain Isolation: By keeping user-installed packages separate, Homebrew minimizes conflicts with system-level packages.

Summary

Homebrew in Bazzite provides a fast, flexible, and user-friendly way to manage additional software outside of the core atomic system. Since Homebrew comes pre-installed on Bazzite, you can immediately use commands like brew install <package> to add new tools or applications, brew update to refresh Homebrew’s database of formulae, brew upgrade to update installed packages, and brew uninstall <package> to remove software when no longer needed.