# Install webtorrent-cli with Homebrew, scoop, winget

Command-line streaming torrent client. Version 6.0.0 via Homebrew; verified 2026-05-23. Also installable with scoop: scoop install extras/webtorrent.

## Install

```sh
sudo av install brew:webtorrent-cli
```

Additional install commands:

### macOS

- Homebrew (100%):

```sh
brew install webtorrent-cli
```

  Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata

### Windows

- Scoop (92%):

```sh
scoop install extras/webtorrent
```

  Evidence: Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/webtorrent.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Extras/git/trees/master?recursive=1

- winget (92%):

```sh
winget install --id WebTorrent.WebTorrentDesktop -e
```

  Evidence: Windows Package Manager source index: WebTorrent.WebTorrentDesktop from https://cdn.winget.microsoft.com/cache/source.msix

## Package facts

- **Package key:** brew:webtorrent-cli
- **Package manager:** Homebrew
- **Version:** 6.0.0
- **Source summary:** Command-line streaming torrent client
- **Homepage:** <https://webtorrent.io/>
- **Last updated:** 2026-05-23T21:07:31Z
- **Generated:** 2026-08-03T19:37:03+00:00

## Executables

- webtorrent (alias)

## Install behavior

- Bottle: not available

## Freshness

- Page generated: 2026-08-03
- Package-manager version: 6.0.0
## Project history and usage

WebTorrent CLI is the command-line front end for WebTorrent, the JavaScript BitTorrent implementation that brought WebRTC peers into the BitTorrent world. The CLI package exposes the same streaming-oriented torrent client as a `webtorrent` terminal command for Node.js users.

### Project history

The broader WebTorrent project started earlier as a browser-first BitTorrent client using WebRTC data channels and open web standards. The CLI repository and npm package were created in March 2016 to make that ecosystem available outside the browser while keeping the familiar WebTorrent streaming model.

The README states the package's boundary clearly: WebTorrent itself is the browser-capable client, while `webtorrent-cli` is for using WebTorrent from the command line. It uses TCP, UDP, and WebRTC, so it can talk to traditional BitTorrent peers as well as web peers where the protocol bridge is available.

### Adoption history

WebTorrent CLI became useful to package-manager users who wanted a scriptable streaming torrent client rather than a desktop GUI. Its npm registry metadata shows continuous package history from 2016 through the 6.x line in 2026, and the GitHub repository remained active with releases through 2026.

Adoption followed WebTorrent's larger pitch: media can begin playing before the whole torrent is downloaded, and seeking can fetch needed pieces on demand. The CLI made those traits available to terminal workflows, media-player handoff, and lightweight servers.

### How it is used

Typical usage is `webtorrent <torrent-id>` where the torrent id is a magnet URI, info hash, torrent file, or HTTP(S) URL. The CLI can download, seed, create torrents, and stream media to players or devices such as VLC, IINA, Chromecast, and AirPlay targets.

In package-nerd contexts, WebTorrent CLI is a bridge between the Node.js P2P ecosystem and Unix shell habits: it lets users test WebTorrent behavior, seed files, stream public-domain media, or wire torrent downloads into scripts without opening a full desktop client.

### Why package nerds care

The package is notable because it packaged the WebTorrent idea as a single terminal command. That made WebRTC-aware torrenting inspectable and automatable in the same way older BitTorrent clients exposed daemon or CLI modes.

### Timeline

- 2013-10: Core `webtorrent` npm package created.
- 2016-03: `webtorrent-cli` GitHub repository and npm package created.
- 2024-06: 5.1.x releases published.
- 2026-04: v6.0.0 published to npm and GitHub releases.

### Related projects

- WebTorrent CLI is part of the WebTorrent family alongside the core `webtorrent` library, WebTorrent Desktop, Instant.io, and related WebRTC/BitTorrent tooling. It is a CLI counterpart to GUI clients such as WebTorrent Desktop and traditional BitTorrent clients such as Transmission or uTorrent.

### Sources

- <https://api.github.com/repos/webtorrent/webtorrent-cli>
- <https://api.github.com/repos/webtorrent/webtorrent-cli/releases?per_page=5>
- <https://github.com/webtorrent/webtorrent>
- <https://github.com/webtorrent/webtorrent-cli>
- <https://registry.npmjs.org/webtorrent-cli>
- <https://webtorrent.io/desktop/>
- <https://webtorrent.io/intro>


## 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

- Scoop - extras/webtorrent: installed executable or alias match | Scoop official bucket manifest trees: bucket/webtorrent.json from https://api.github.com/repos/ScoopInstaller/Extras/git/trees/master?recursive=1
- winget - WebTorrent.WebTorrentDesktop: installed executable or alias match | Windows Package Manager source index: WebTorrent.WebTorrentDesktop from https://cdn.winget.microsoft.com/cache/source.msix


## Combined YAML source

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