# Install gerbil-scheme with Homebrew, MacPorts, Nix

Opinionated dialect of Scheme designed for Systems Programming. Version 0.18.2 via Homebrew; verified from local package data. Also installable with macports: sudo port install gerbil.

## Install

```sh
sudo av install brew:gerbil-scheme
```

Additional install commands:

### macOS

- Homebrew (100%):

```sh
brew install gerbil-scheme
```

  Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata

- MacPorts (94%):

```sh
sudo port install gerbil
```

  Evidence: MacPorts ports tree: science/gerbil/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1

### Linux

- Nix (92%):

```sh
nix profile install nixpkgs#gerbil
```

  Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: gerbil from https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/master/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix

## Package facts

- **Package key:** brew:gerbil-scheme
- **Package manager:** Homebrew
- **Version:** 0.18.2
- **Source summary:** Opinionated dialect of Scheme designed for Systems Programming
- **Homepage:** <https://cons.io>
- **Repository:** <https://github.com/mighty-gerbils/gerbil>
- **Generated:** 2026-08-03T19:37:03+00:00

## Executables

- gerbil (alias)
- gxc (alias)
- gxensemble (alias)
- gxensemble-test (alias)
- gxhttpd (alias)
- gxhttpd-ensemble-test (alias)
- gxhttpd-test (alias)
- gxi (alias)
- gxpkg (alias)
- gxprof (alias)
- gxtags (alias)
- gxtest (alias)

## Install behavior

- Bottle: not available

## Freshness

- Page generated: 2026-08-03
- Package-manager version: 0.18.2
## Project history and usage

Gerbil Scheme is an opinionated Scheme dialect for systems programming, built on the Gambit runtime and compiler. It combines a macro system, a module system, ahead-of-time compilation, and a broad standard library for developers who want a Scheme environment with practical systems tooling.

### Project history

The Gerbil README traces the language to Dimitris Vyzovitis, also known as vyzo, who kept Gerbil as a private Scheme for many years. It evolved from shared macros across implementations into a PLT-style macro language for actor-oriented distributed programming before being released with a source-based bootstrap.

The public implementation standardized on Gambit because the maintainer considered it a portable, performant, low-level Scheme kernel. The repository metadata records the public GitHub project opening in 2016, while the README copyright notice covers work from 2007 through 2023.

### Adoption history

Gerbil occupies a specialized place in the Scheme ecosystem: it appeals to programmers who want Scheme syntax and macros while keeping access to native compilation, FFI-oriented systems work, packages, networking libraries, and command-line tooling.

### How it is used

Users interact with Gerbil through tools such as `gxi` for the interpreter and `gxc` for compilation. Practitioners build modules, compile programs ahead of time through Gambit, use the standard library, and manage Gerbil projects through the included command-line tools.

### Why package nerds care

For package-manager users, Gerbil is notable because it packages an entire language stack rather than a single executable. Installing it through Homebrew, MacPorts, or Nix gives Scheme users a repeatable way to obtain the interpreter, compiler, package tooling, and supporting runtime.

### Timeline

- 2007: The README copyright range begins for Gerbil work by Dimitris Vyzovitis and contributors.
- 2016: The public GitHub repository was opened.
- After private development: Gerbil was released with a source-based bootstrap on Gambit.

### Related projects

- Gambit Scheme, Racket, Chibi, SRFI 115, SRFI 159

### Sources

- <https://api.github.com/repos/mighty-gerbils/gerbil>
- <https://cons.io/guide>
- <https://cons.io/reference>
- <https://github.com/mighty-gerbils/gerbil>
- <https://raw.githubusercontent.com/mighty-gerbils/gerbil/master/README.md>


## 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

- MacPorts - gerbil: installed executable or alias match | MacPorts ports tree: science/gerbil/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1
- Nix - gerbil: installed executable or alias match | nixpkgs package indexes: gerbil from https://raw.githubusercontent.com/NixOS/nixpkgs/master/pkgs/top-level/all-packages.nix


## Combined YAML source

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