Install icp-cli with Homebrew

Project links

• Homepage
• Repository

Commands and aliases

• icp

Project history

DFINITY announced the public icp-cli repository on 2025-10-31, describing the tool as under active development and intended to eventually replace dfx while coexisting with it for some time because the tools work differently.

The first official release announcement for v0.1.0 appeared on 2026-02-04 after beta testing and community feedback. By the v1.0.0 GitHub release on 2026-06-15, the project distributed signed release artifacts for macOS, Linux, and Windows.

Adoption history

The README and installation guide put npm at the center of the quick-start path, installing @icp-sdk/icp-cli together with @icp-sdk/ic-wasm. The npm registry records @icp-sdk/icp-cli creation on 2026-01-30.

Homebrew packaging followed as another supported route for macOS and Linux. The first official release announcement explicitly asked users to help the repositories reach Homebrew's star threshold, and the formula later packages icp-cli with ic-wasm and OpenSSL.

How it is used

icp-cli is used to initialize, build, deploy, and operate Internet Computer canisters. Its docs pair the core CLI with ic-wasm for WebAssembly optimization and with Motoko or Rust toolchains depending on the project.

The configuration surface centers on icp.yaml, matching the curated config-file location for both Unix-like systems and Windows.

Why package nerds care

icp-cli is significant because it represents a blockchain/platform SDK moving from an older established command, dfx, toward a new command named icp with modern packaging through npm, shell installers, release artifacts, and Homebrew.

It is also a useful case study in packaging a Rust-based developer tool that depends on a companion WebAssembly optimizer and supports multiple installation ecosystems from the beginning.

Timeline

• 2025-10-31: DFINITY announces that the icp-cli repository is public.
• 2026-01-30: @icp-sdk/icp-cli package is created on npm.
• 2026-02-04: icp-cli v0.1.0 is announced as the first official release.
• 2026-06-15: GitHub release v1.0.0 publishes multi-platform install artifacts.
• 2026: Homebrew formula packages icp-cli with ic-wasm and OpenSSL.

Related projects

• Related projects include dfx, ic-wasm, icp-cli-recipes, Motoko tooling, Mops, Rust canister workflows, Candid tooling, and the wider Internet Computer SDK documentation.

Sources

• DFINITY forum announcements document repository publication, first official release, beta feedback, npm installation, Homebrew motivation, and the dfx relationship.
• The GitHub README and docs describe purpose, installation, dfx migration, examples, and documentation structure.
• npm, GitHub releases, and Homebrew metadata document package publication and distribution channels.