pkg.soopen package index

brew / rank 1598

Install sl with Homebrew, apk, apt, dnf, MacPorts, Nix, pacman, zypper, winget

Prints a steam locomotive if you type sl instead of ls. Version 5.02 via Homebrew; verified 2026-09-13. Also installable with debian: sudo apt install sl.

Install commandSecurity notes

install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%
brew install sl

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%
sudo port install sl

MacPorts ports tree · games/sl/Portfile · source: api.github.com

Linux

Alpine Linux apkverified · 92%
sudo apk add sl

Alpine Linux edge package indexes · sl · source: dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org

Debian aptverified · 92%
sudo apt install sl

Debian stable package indexes · sl · source: deb.debian.org

Fedora dnfverified · 92%
sudo dnf install sl

Fedora Rawhide package metadata · sl · source: dl.fedoraproject.org

Nixverified · 92%
nix profile install nixpkgs#sl

nixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/sl/sl/package.nix · source: api.github.com

Arch Linux pacmanverified · 92%
sudo pacman -S sl

Arch Linux sync databases · sl · source: geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com

openSUSE zypperverified · 92%
sudo zypper install sl

openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · sl · source: download.opensuse.org

Windows

Windows Package Managerverified · 92%
winget install --id ScaryRawr.SL -e

Windows Package Manager source index · ScaryRawr.SL · source: cdn.winget.microsoft.com

overview

Package summary

Prints a steam locomotive if you type sl instead of ls

Commands and aliases

  • sl

history

Project history and usage

SL, or Steam Locomotive, is a terminal novelty that animates a train when the user mistypes `ls` as `sl`.

Project history

Toyoda Masashi wrote SL as a joke command that runs a steam locomotive across the terminal when a user types `sl` instead of `ls`. The official README carries copyright years 1993, 1998, and 2014, indicating its early Unix origins and later maintenance.

The program remained deliberately narrow in scope, adding animation variants and terminal behavior while preserving the original typo-based joke.

Adoption history

SL spread through Unix and Linux package collections as a harmless terminal joke and typo trap. Its presence across Homebrew, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora-family systems, Alpine, Arch, openSUSE, Nix, MacPorts, and winget, as recorded in source_facts.package-manager, has given it unusually broad reach for such a small program.

How it is used

Run `sl` to display the locomotive. The manual documents switches for variants such as accident mode, a smaller train, a flying train, and interruption behavior. It has no persistent configuration or credentials.

Why package nerds care

SL is a canonical novelty package: tiny, memorable, easy to demonstrate, and available in a surprising number of repositories. It is frequently encountered while exploring package catalogs and embodies the Unix tradition of playful single-purpose commands.

Timeline

  • 1993: Earliest copyright year recorded in the official README.
  • 1998: Additional copyright year recorded by the upstream project.
  • 2014: Later maintenance year recorded in the official README.

Related projects

  • The Unix `ls` command supplies the mistyping joke on which SL is based.
  • ncurses-compatible terminal libraries support its animated display.

security posture

Risk level: green

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.

Risk classifier

green risk · low confidence · appliance

Why

  • narrow executable package without higher-risk signals

Signals

  • metadata:no-higher-risk-signals

Install behavior

  • No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
  • Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 12 platform targets.

Recommended review

Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.

executables

Installed executables

CommandKindExposureNote
slcliglobal executable

freshness

Version and freshness

These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.

page generated2026-09-19
manager version5.02
manager updated2026-09-13
local dataok
upstreamcurrent
latest detected5.02

https://github.com/mtoyoda/sl

  • okNo freshness warnings were generated.

install metadata

Package metadata

Package keybrew:sl
Version5.02
Package managerHomebrew
Package manager pagehttps://formulae.brew.sh/formula/sl
Homepagehttps://github.com/mtoyoda/sl
Repositoryhttps://github.com/mtoyoda/sl
LicenseMIT
Source archivehttps://github.com/mtoyoda/sl/archive/refs/tags/5.02.tar.gz
Last updated2026-09-13T02:20:30Z
Pulseupdated
Uses from macOSncurses
Bottleavailable (on arm64_big_sur, arm64_linux, arm64_monterey, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, big_sur, monterey, sonoma, ventura, x86_64_linux)
Homebrew post-installnot defined
Servicenone declared

registry facts

Source database details

Source DatabaseHomebrew formula API
Taphomebrew/core
Full Namesl
Version Scheme0
Revision0
Head VersionHEAD
Conflicts With
  • sapling
Bottle Stable Root URLhttps://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core
Deprecatedno
Disabledno
Keg Onlyno
URL Keys
  • head
  • stable

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

Debian apt95%

sl 5.02-1+b1

Correct you if you type `sl' by mistake

https://github.com/mtoyoda/sl

sudo apt install sl
  • Section: games
  • Architecture: amd64
  • Source Package: sl
  • 3 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Sl
Debian stable package indexes · deb.debian.org · Debian stable package indexes: sl from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz
Nix95%

sl

nix profile install nixpkgs#sl
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Sl
nixpkgs package indexes · api.github.com · nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/sl/sl/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1
Ubuntu apt95%

sl 5.02-1

Correct you if you type `sl' by mistake

https://github.com/mtoyoda/sl

sudo apt install sl
  • Section: universe/games
  • Architecture: amd64
  • 3 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Sl
Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes · archive.ubuntu.com · Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: sl from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz
apk95%

sl 5.02-r1

Cure your bad habit of mistyping

https://github.com/mtoyoda/sl

sudo apk add sl
  • License: MIT
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: sl
  • 1 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Sl
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: sl from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
apk95%

sl-doc 5.02-r1

Cure your bad habit of mistyping (documentation)

https://github.com/mtoyoda/sl

sudo apk add sl-doc
  • License: MIT
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: sl
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Sl
Alpine Linux edge package indexes · dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org · Alpine Linux edge package indexes: sl-doc from https://dl-cdn.alpinelinux.org/alpine/edge/community/x86_64/APKINDEX.tar.gz
dnf95%

sl 5.02-26.fc45

Joke command for when you type 'sl' instead of 'ls'

https://github.com/mtoyoda/sl

sudo dnf install sl
  • License: SL
  • Category: Unspecified
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: sl
  • 4 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Sl
Fedora Rawhide package metadata · dl.fedoraproject.org · Fedora Rawhide package metadata: sl from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/652278618dec9c023176a80c435a32a2c8154869fb0eb662c267a54df28d77d9-primary.xml.zst
pacman95%

sl 5.05-6

Steam Locomotive runs across your terminal when you type "sl" as you meant to type "ls"

https://github.com/eyJhb/sl

sudo pacman -S sl
  • License: custom
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • 1 dependencies
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Sl
Arch Linux sync databases · geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com · Arch Linux sync databases: sl from https://geo.mirror.pkgbuild.com/extra/os/x86_64/extra.db.tar.gz
zypper95%

sl 5.05-1.10

Steam Locomotive in ASCII art

https://github.com/eyJhb/sl

sudo zypper install sl
  • License: ISC
  • Category: Amusements/Toys/Other
  • Architecture: x86_64
  • Source Package: sl
  • 3 dependencies
  • 1 provides
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Sl
openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata · download.opensuse.org · openSUSE Tumbleweed package metadata: sl from https://download.opensuse.org/tumbleweed/repo/oss/repodata/d310d5a96106e1e8872a385adf98aaa23be9db5d80937a6717314e7e7f37715065c6c748ab7ccee6475d620b46979c0fe64235fc0c46988e17edf659578fcf31-primary.xml.zst
MacPorts95%

sl

sudo port install sl
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Sl
MacPorts ports tree · api.github.com · MacPorts ports tree: games/sl/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1
winget95%

ScaryRawr.SL

winget install --id ScaryRawr.SL -e
  • normalized package name match
  • Matched by: Sl
Windows Package Manager source index · cdn.winget.microsoft.com · Windows Package Manager source index: ScaryRawr.SL from https://cdn.winget.microsoft.com/cache/source.msix

package graph

Links come from deterministic package relationships, av.db category and tag curation, ecosystem matches, and package hub membership.

Same workflow

  • asciiquariumShares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, terminal, toys.
  • kotofetchShares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, terminal, toys.
  • fortuneShares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, terminal, toys, unix.
  • cowsayShares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, terminal, toys.
  • cmatrixShares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, terminal, toys.
  • cbonsaiShares pkgdb curated category or tags: cli, terminal, toys.

source trail

Generated from repository data

This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.

Combined YAML source

View the package source record on GitHub.

combined/sl.yml

Used sources

  • Geiger risk classifier
  • cross-ecosystem install command graph
  • curated package history
  • external package-manager database matches
  • package relationship graph
  • package version freshness
  • package-page enrichment
  • pkg.so package database
  • pkgdb category and tag curation