# Install mabel with Homebrew, MacPorts

Fancy BitTorrent client for the terminal. Version 0.1.7 via Homebrew; verified from local package data. Also installable with macports: sudo port install mabel.

## Install

```sh
sudo av install brew:mabel
```

Additional install commands:

### macOS

- Homebrew (100%):

```sh
brew install mabel
```

  Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata

- MacPorts (94%):

```sh
sudo port install mabel
```

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

## Package facts

- **Package key:** brew:mabel
- **Package manager:** Homebrew
- **Version:** 0.1.7
- **Source summary:** Fancy BitTorrent client for the terminal
- **Homepage:** <https://github.com/smmr-software/mabel>
- **Repository:** <https://github.com/smmr-software/mabel>
- **Generated:** 2026-08-03T19:37:03+00:00

## Executables

- mabel (alias)

## Install behavior

- Bottle: not available

## Freshness

- Page generated: 2026-08-03
- Package-manager version: 0.1.7
## Project history and usage

Mabel is a terminal BitTorrent client with full and mini TUI modes, built on Go terminal-interface and torrent libraries.

### Project history

The repository was created in 2021, and the first tagged public release, v0.1.0, was published in June 2022. The README says the name comes from the Hebrew word for flood or deluge, loosely tied to torrenting.

Early releases added pieces expected of a terminal client: encrypted-peer requirements, configurable key bindings, kebab-case config keys, HTTP(S) `.torrent` support, a desktop file, and a borderless option.

### Adoption history

Mabel is a niche terminal client rather than a mainstream BitTorrent engine, but it has visible package-manager adoption: the supplied facts list Homebrew and MacPorts, and the upstream README documents both `go install` and Homebrew installation.

The repository has hundreds of GitHub stars, which is meaningful for a small TUI torrent client aimed at users who prefer keyboard-driven terminal workflows.

### How it is used

Users run `mabel [OPTIONS] [TORRENT]...`. With no arguments it opens the full TUI; with one infohash, magnet link, or `.torrent` file it opens mini mode; with multiple torrents it opens the full client with those torrents added.

The README documents TOML configuration at `$XDG_CONFIG_HOME/mabel/config.toml`, including download directory, port, logging, encryption behavior, theme choices, and key remapping.

### Why package nerds care

Mabel is package-nerd interesting as a modern Go TUI application that packages a BitTorrent engine and terminal UI as a single command with optional desktop integration.

Its XDG config/state behavior and Homebrew install path make it a cleaner fit for package managers than ad hoc terminal torrent scripts.

### Timeline

- 2021: Public GitHub repository created
- 2022: v0.1.0 initial release
- 2022: v0.1.2 added required encrypted-peer support
- 2022: v0.1.5 added HTTP(S) `.torrent` support and a desktop file
- 2023: v0.1.7 updated dependencies

### Related projects

- The upstream README credits charmbracelet/bubbletea for terminal UI work.
- The upstream README credits anacrolix/torrent for BitTorrent functionality.
- Homebrew and MacPorts package Mabel according to the supplied package-manager facts.

### Sources

- <https://api.github.com/repos/smmr-software/mabel>
- <https://github.com/smmr-software/mabel>
- <https://github.com/smmr-software/mabel/blob/main/config.go>
- <https://github.com/smmr-software/mabel/releases>
- 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


## 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: $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/mabel/config.toml
## Other Package-Manager Records

- MacPorts - mabel: normalized package name match | MacPorts ports tree: net/mabel/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1


## Combined YAML source

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