⚠️ Experimental Software - Use with caution

Velocity: The Fastest
Package Manager for
Apple Silicon

Native speed. Modern architecture. Zero sudo required.

Get Started View on GitHub

Why Choose Velocity?

Velocity is a next-generation package manager for macOS, designed for speed, simplicity, and total user control. Velocity treats formulas as declarative files, installs only from pre-built bottles (never compiles from source), and runs entirely in user space—no sudo, no system writes, and no risk.

Key Features

  • 🔋 Apple Silicon Native: Built from the ground up using Swift for Apple Silicon Macs. No legacy code, no slow emulation.
  • 📝 Declarative Formula Handling: Uses Homebrew .rb formulae as simple, predictable configuration files. No Ruby runtime or interpretation required.
  • 📦 Bottle-Only Installs: Installs exclusively from pre-built bottles. No source compilation, no build dependencies, no waiting.
  • 🛡️ User-Space Operation: Everything lives in your home directory (default ~/.velo/). Never requires sudo or writes to system directories.
  • 🗃️ Flexible Installation & Caching: Install Velocity in any directory. Cache packages locally per project, just like node_modules for system tools. Perfect for CI, reproducible builds, and isolated environments.
  • 💼 Project-Local Dependencies: Each project can have its own tool versions with velo.json manifests—like npm for system packages.
  • 🔄 Compatible with Homebrew: Uses existing .rb formulae from Homebrew core tap. Drop-in replacement with zero migration needed.
  • 🔐 Security-First Design: SHA256 verification, code signing, and advanced security measures built into every operation.
  • 🤖 CI Ready: Built-in GitHub Actions support with automated testing, continuous deployment, and comprehensive CI/CD workflows.
  • 🧠 Safe for Automation & AI Agents: No scripts, no side effects, no surprises—safe to run in CI, containers, and autonomous workflows.

How to Install?

Install using homebrew:

# Install via Homebrew tap
brew tap dimaosipa/brew
brew install dimaosipa/brew/velo

Or clone and install the repo:

git clone https://github.com/dimaosipa/velocity.git
cd velocity
./install.sh

Why Not Just Use Homebrew?

Homebrew formulas are executable Ruby scripts — not static package definitions. Installing a package with Homebrew means running third-party code with full system access. This allows:

  • Arbitrary shell commands during install/upgrade
  • Silent modifications outside the install directory
  • Potential use of sudo
  • Unexpected compilation from source

Velocity flips this model. It treats formulas as declarative, like JSON or YAML — not scripts. Packages are installed only from trusted prebuilt binaries (bottles), with no custom install logic.

  • No shell execution
  • No filesystem writes outside ~/.velo/
  • No elevated permissions
  • Fully predictable installs

This makes Velocity uniquely suited for automation, CI environments, and even AI agents — where determinism, safety, and reproducibility are critical.

Feature Velocity Homebrew
Bottle-only Installs ✅ ❌ (compiles)
User-space Only ✅ ❌ (system dirs)
Formula Handling Data (declarative) Executable (Ruby DSL)
Project-local Cache ✅ ❌
Safe for AI Agents ✅ ❌

Who is Velocity for?

  • Developers who want instant installs and zero system risk
  • CI/CD pipelines needing reproducible, isolated environments
  • Developers who want to avoid path pollution by keeping dependencies isolated to project directories
  • AI agents and autonomous tools that require deterministic, non-interactive installs

Try it yourself!

Ready to try Velocity? Install in seconds—no system changes, no waiting. Get Started or View on GitHub