# Install lxi-tools with Homebrew, apt, dnf, Nix Open source tools for managing network attached LXI compatible instruments. Version 2.8 via Homebrew; verified 2026-07-07. Also installable with debian: sudo apt install lxi-tools. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:lxi-tools ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install lxi-tools ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata ### Linux - Debian apt (92%): ```sh sudo apt install lxi-tools ``` Evidence: Debian stable package indexes: lxi-tools from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz - dnf (92%): ```sh sudo dnf install lxi-tools ``` Evidence: Fedora Rawhide package metadata: lxi-tools from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/07190dc5ae9f35ae73866675fed6d95fe6e8d9fe22c9d7cdf85862cb2ed24a4c-primary.xml.zst - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#lxi-tools ``` Evidence: nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/lx/lxi-tools/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ## Package facts - **Package key:** brew:lxi-tools - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Version:** 2.8 - **Source summary:** Open source tools for managing network attached LXI compatible instruments - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Last updated:** 2026-07-07T04:10:03Z - **Generated:** 2026-08-03T19:37:03+00:00 ## Executables - lxi (alias) - lxi-gui (alias) ## Install behavior - Bottle: not available ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-08-03 - Package-manager version: 2.8 ## Project history and usage lxi-tools is an open source command-line and GUI toolkit for controlling LXI-compatible network test instruments. It is aimed at lab automation tasks such as discovering instruments, sending SCPI commands, taking screenshots, benchmarking request/response performance, and running Lua automation scripts. ### Project history The public Git history for lxi-tools begins in March 2016, followed immediately by early v0.x tags and a v1.0 tag in October 2017. The project describes itself as an independent open source community effort, separate from the LXI Consortium, with Martin Lund listed as creator and maintainer. The project is built around liblxi for instrument communication. Over time its scope grew from a CLI for VXI-11/raw TCP SCPI workflows into a broader toolkit with a GTK GUI, Lua scripting, screenshot plugins, mDNS discovery, and a maintained list of tested instruments from vendors such as Rigol, Keysight, Rohde & Schwarz, Siglent, Tektronix, and others. ### Adoption history Upstream documents installation through distribution package managers, snap, Homebrew, Windows installers, WSL2, and source builds. The package-manager metadata for this batch also shows availability in Homebrew, Debian, Fedora/DNF, Nix, and Ubuntu, which reflects its niche but real packaging footprint among lab-automation users. ### How it is used Typical CLI usage starts with `lxi discover` to find instruments on the local network, then uses commands such as `lxi scpi --address ... "*IDN?"`, `lxi screenshot`, `lxi benchmark`, or `lxi run` for Lua scripts. The GUI exposes similar workflows for users who want interactive SCPI exploration, screenshot capture, live charts, and script execution. ### Why package nerds care For package maintainers, lxi-tools is notable because it packages a hardware-facing lab utility rather than another generic developer CLI. It has native dependencies, optional GUI pieces, shell completion, manpages, and hardware-plugin expectations, so it exercises the parts of package systems that deal with desktop integration and scientific/test-equipment workflows. ### Timeline - 2016: Public Git history begins and v0.1 is tagged. - 2017: v1.0 is tagged after the early release series. - 2022: v2.x releases continue with expanded tooling. - 2024: v2.8 is tagged in the official repository. ### Related projects - liblxi provides the communication layer used by lxi-tools. - The LXI standard and SCPI command sets define much of the instrument-control context in which lxi-tools is used. ### Sources - - - - - 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 - Debian apt - lxi-tools - 2.8-1: normalized package name match | Debian stable package indexes: lxi-tools from https://deb.debian.org/debian/dists/stable/main/binary-amd64/Packages.xz | LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation (LXI) software interface | https://lxi-tools.github.io/ - Nix - lxi-tools: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/lx/lxi-tools/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 - Ubuntu apt - lxi-tools - 2.7-1build2: normalized package name match | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS package indexes: lxi-tools from https://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu/dists/noble/universe/binary-amd64/Packages.gz | LAN eXtensions for Instrumentation (LXI) software interface | https://lxi-tools.github.io/ - dnf - lxi-tools - 2.8-7.fc45: normalized package name match | Fedora Rawhide package metadata: lxi-tools from https://dl.fedoraproject.org/pub/fedora/linux/development/rawhide/Everything/x86_64/os/repodata/07190dc5ae9f35ae73866675fed6d95fe6e8d9fe22c9d7cdf85862cb2ed24a4c-primary.xml.zst | Tools to manage network attached LXI compatible instruments | https://lxi-tools.github.io/ ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/lxi-tools.yml](https://github.com/mxcl/pkgdb/blob/main/combined/lxi-tools.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