# Install asuka with Homebrew, Nix

Gemini Project client written in Rust with NCurses. Version 0.8.5 via Homebrew; verified from local package data. Also installable with nix: nix profile install nixpkgs#asuka.

## Install

```sh
sudo av install brew:asuka
```

Additional install commands:

### macOS

- Homebrew (100%):

```sh
brew install asuka
```

  Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata

### Linux

- Nix (92%):

```sh
nix profile install nixpkgs#asuka
```

  Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/as/asuka/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1

## Package facts

- **Package key:** brew:asuka
- **Package manager:** Homebrew
- **Version:** 0.8.5
- **Source summary:** Gemini Project client written in Rust with NCurses
- **Homepage:** <https://sr.ht/~julienxx/Asuka/>
- **Generated:** 2026-08-03T19:37:03+00:00

## Executables

- asuka (alias)

## Install behavior

- Bottle: not available

## Freshness

- Page generated: 2026-08-03
- Package-manager version: 0.8.5
## Project history and usage

Asuka is a Rust and ncurses terminal client for browsing the Gemini protocol, with keyboard-driven navigation, history, reload, and bookmarks.

### Project history

Julien Blanchard developed Asuka on SourceHut during the early growth of the Gemini ecosystem. The official history shows active development by 2020, contributions from several developers, and releases through 0.8.5 in May 2022.

The client remained deliberately small: it renders Gemini text in a terminal UI, follows Gemini links, handles prompts and downloads, and stores bookmarks locally.

### Adoption history

Asuka reached Unix-like users through source builds and release archives, then through Homebrew and Nix packaging recorded in the supplied package metadata. Its adoption is best characterized as niche and protocol-specific rather than broad browser adoption.

### How it is used

Users run `asuka`, optionally with a Gemini URL, and navigate with single-key commands: `g` opens a URL, `b` goes back, `a` adds a bookmark, `B` shows bookmarks, `r` reloads, and `q` quits. The README warns that a UTF-8 locale is needed for correct terminal rendering.

### Why package nerds care

Asuka packages a complete alternative-protocol browser as a compact Rust terminal binary. It is especially interesting to package enthusiasts because it combines SourceHut-native development, ncurses-style interaction, OpenSSL system dependencies, and distribution through both Homebrew and Nix.

### Timeline

- 2020: Public SourceHut development is underway during the early Gemini-client wave.
- 2021: Releases add and refine URL navigation, bookmarks, history, and protocol handling.
- 2022: Version 0.8.5 is tagged after dependency updates and binary-size optimization.

### Related projects

- Gemini is the lightweight application-layer protocol that Asuka browses.
- Cursive provides Asuka's Rust terminal user interface.

### Sources

- <https://git.sr.ht/~julienxx/asuka/log>
- <https://git.sr.ht/~julienxx/asuka/refs>
- <https://sr.ht/~julienxx/Asuka>
- source_facts.package-manager


## Security Notes

broad file, network, media, or database tool signal.

- **Geiger risk:** blue / medium
- broad file, network, media, or database tool signal

## Other Package-Manager Records

- Nix - asuka: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/as/asuka/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1


## Combined YAML source

View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/asuka.yml](https://github.com/mxcl/pkgdb/blob/main/combined/asuka.yml)


## Sources

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