zerobrew is a package manager client that brings uv-style architecture to Homebrew packages on macOS and Linux.
The tool addresses the performance limitations of Homebrew by implementing content-addressable storage for deduplication and leveraging APFS clonefiles for zero-overhead copying. Rather than reimplementing package management from scratch, zerobrew acts as a performance-optimized client for the existing Homebrew ecosystem, relying on Homebrew's formula definitions, pre-built bottles, and package metadata while introducing its own architectural innovations. When pre-built bottles are unavailable, it falls back to source builds using Homebrew's Ruby DSL.
Zerobrew suits developers who want faster package installation times without abandoning the Homebrew ecosystem. The README explicitly recommends running it alongside Homebrew rather than as a replacement, and advises against purging Homebrew entirely unless you fully understand the implications. The tool is experimental but already functional for many common formulas. Performance gains vary significantly by package: some see minimal improvement during cold installs, while others achieve substantial speedups, with warm cache performance showing more consistent gains across the board.
The project is in experimental status with active issue tracking for incompatibilities. Development appears focused on expanding formula compatibility and addressing edge cases as they arise through user feedback.
