macOS
Homebrew Caskverified · 100%
brew install --cask 86boxlocal Homebrew cask metadata
cask
Install 86box with Homebrew Cask
Emulator of x86-based machines based on PCem. Version 6.0,9001 via Homebrew Cask; verified from local package data.
install
Additional install commands
overview
Package summary
Emulator of x86-based machines based on PCem
Project links
Commands and aliases
No executable aliases were found in the local package database.
history
Project history and usage
86Box is an open-source, hardware-focused emulator for IBM PC-compatible systems, designed for running historical operating systems and software with configurable period components.
Project history
86Box is a GPL-2.0-or-later IBM PC system emulator derived from the PCem lineage. It focuses on period hardware configurations spanning early IBM PCs through later PCI-era systems. The official documentation identifies OBattler as project maintainer.
Adoption history
86Box developed a dedicated retro-computing community and an ecosystem that includes ROM and asset repositories plus configuration managers. Its official documentation now includes an integrated virtual-machine manager while continuing to document interoperability with external managers.
How it is used
Users assemble a virtual historical PC by selecting a motherboard, CPU, display adapter, sound hardware, storage controllers, disks, and network devices, then install an era-appropriate operating system. ROM files are installed separately, and each emulated machine stores settings in an `86box.cfg` file.
Why package nerds care
86Box appeals to package enthusiasts because it combines a conventional open-source application with separately managed ROM data, asset packs, per-machine configuration directories, nightly development builds, and platform-specific packaging. Its emphasis on hardware-level fidelity distinguishes it from productivity-oriented virtualization tools.
Timeline
- Version 4.0.1: Documentation records a BIOS update migration affecting an existing emulated machine.
- Version 5.0: Global preferences replaced the older per-machine preference model, and portable mode appeared in the 5.x release series.
- Version 6.0: Released with an integrated preview virtual-machine manager and continuing hardware-emulation expansion.
Related projects
- PCem is the upstream lineage identified by the package description.
- 86Box Manager is an officially endorsed external configuration manager for older workflows; newer 86Box documentation also describes an integrated virtual-machine manager.
- The official 86Box organization maintains separate ROM and asset repositories used with the emulator.
Sources
- Official documentation: https://86box.readthedocs.io/en/latest/
- Official releases: https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases
- Official repository supplied in source_facts.repo: https://github.com/86Box/86Box
- source_facts.description
security posture
No protected-tool coverage found yet
No matching local secret-handling manifest was found for 86box. Package metadata is still published here so future coverage has a stable package URL.
Install behavior
- No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
- No Homebrew bottle metadata was recorded.
Recommended review
Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.
local files
Configuration and credential file locations
These source-backed paths show where this package keeps local settings or durable credentials. Automic Vault can use them as review targets for secret scanning, migration, and command approval.
Configuration files
Config paths the tool may read or write during local use.
- Linux
~/.config/86Box/86box_global.cfg<system-directory>/<machine>/86box.cfg- macOS
~/Library/Preferences/86Box/86box_global.cfg<system-directory>/<machine>/86box.cfg- Windows
C:\Users\[username]\AppData\Local\86Box\86box_global.cfg<system-directory>\<machine>\86box.cfg
executables
Installed executables
| Command | Kind | Exposure | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| No executable data was present. | |||
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 version6.0,9001
manager updated
local dataok
upstreamnot checked
latest detectednot detected
https://github.com/86Box/86Box
- infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence
- infoNo cached GitHub release or tag data was available.https://github.com/86Box/86Boxnone confidence
install metadata
Package metadata
| Package key | cask:86box |
|---|---|
| Version | 6.0,9001 |
| Package manager | Homebrew Cask |
| Package manager page | https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/86box |
| Homepage | https://86box.net/ |
| Repository | https://github.com/86Box/86Box |
| Upstream docs | https://86box.net/ |
| Source archive | https://github.com/86Box/86Box/releases/download/v6.0/86Box-macOS-x86_64+arm64-b9001.zip |
| SHA-256 | fc66fc97225012af20145ae04193911bbf689fc75f89590774a904483140a5a9 |
| Bottle | not recorded |
| Homebrew post-install | not defined |
| Service | none declared |
| Caveats | The latest ROM files from https://github.com/86Box/roms need to be installed into: ~/Library/Application Support/net.86box.86Box/roms |
registry facts
Source database details
| Source Database | Homebrew cask API |
|---|---|
| Tap | homebrew/cask |
| Full Token | 86box |
| Names |
|
| Depends On | |
| Artifacts | |
| Deprecated | no |
| Disabled | no |
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.
Used sources
- cross-ecosystem install command graph
- curated configuration and credential file locations
- curated package history
- package relationship graph
- package version freshness
- package-page enrichment
- pkgdb category and tag curation