# Install dynein with Homebrew, Nix

DynamoDB CLI. Version 0.3.0 via Homebrew; verified from local package data. Also installable with nix: nix profile install nixpkgs#dynein.

## Install

```sh
sudo av install brew:dynein
```

Additional install commands:

### macOS

- Homebrew (100%):

```sh
brew install dynein
```

  Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata

### Linux

- Nix (92%):

```sh
nix profile install nixpkgs#dynein
```

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

## Package facts

- **Package key:** brew:dynein
- **Package manager:** Homebrew
- **Version:** 0.3.0
- **Source summary:** DynamoDB CLI
- **Homepage:** <https://github.com/awslabs/dynein>
- **Repository:** <https://github.com/awslabs/dynein>
- **Generated:** 2026-08-03T19:37:03+00:00

## Executables

- dy (alias)

## Install behavior

- Bottle: not available

## Freshness

- Page generated: 2026-08-03
- Package-manager version: 0.3.0
## Project history and usage

dynein is an AWS Labs command-line interface for Amazon DynamoDB, written in Rust and shipped as the `dy` executable.

### Project history

The awslabs/dynein repository was created in 2020. Its README describes dynein as a terminal-first DynamoDB CLI designed to reduce typing, use standard JSON instead of DynamoDB JSON where possible, and provide table context switching through commands such as `dy use` and `dy config`.

### Adoption history

dynein has stayed a focused AWS developer tool rather than a broad database client. Its adoption path is through GitHub releases, Homebrew, and source builds, aimed at users who already work with DynamoDB and AWS credentials but want a concise shell workflow.

### How it is used

Users configure normal AWS credentials, then run `dy ls`, `dy scan`, `dy get`, `dy query`, `dy put`, `dy upd`, `dy del`, import/export commands, backup/restore commands, and DynamoDB Local workflows. The README states that dynein stores local config under `$HOME/.dynein/` and uses AWS credential sources such as `~/.aws/credentials`, environment variables, profiles, and instance roles.

### Why package nerds care

dynein is interesting as a single-purpose cloud database CLI from the AWS Labs ecosystem. It overlaps with `aws dynamodb` but optimizes the interactive developer loop: shorter commands, table context, shell completion, JSON ergonomics, and Homebrew installation.

### Timeline

- 2020: awslabs/dynein repository is created.
- 2020s: README documents binary downloads, Homebrew installation, source builds, AWS credential prerequisites, and DynamoDB Local support.
- 2026: Homebrew packages dynein 0.3.0 as the `dy` executable.

### Related projects

- Related projects include Amazon DynamoDB, AWS CLI, DynamoDB Local, aws-sdk-rust, CloudFormation, and other database-specific CLIs that trade general cloud coverage for faster daily table and item operations.

### Sources

- <https://github.com/awslabs/dynein#readme>
- <https://api.github.com/repos/awslabs/dynein>
- <https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/dynein>
- <https://aws.amazon.com/dynamodb/>
- <https://aws.amazon.com/cli/>


## Security Notes

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.

- **Geiger risk:** green / low
- narrow executable package without higher-risk signals


## 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

- Unix: ~/.dynein/config.yml, ~/.aws/config

## Credential files

- Unix: ~/.aws/credentials
## Other Package-Manager Records

- Nix - dynein: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/dy/dynein/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/dynein.yml](https://github.com/mxcl/pkgdb/blob/main/combined/dynein.yml)


## Sources

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