Struggling to install software from GitHub on different operating systems? You're not alone! Navigating release pages, finding the right binary for your system, and manually extracting files can be a tedious process, especially when switching between Linux distributions, BSD, or macOS. But fear not! There’s a tool called Eget that simplifies this entire workflow, making binary installation a breeze.
Here’s how it works: Eget automates the process by searching a GitHub repository for the latest pre-built binaries, downloading them, and extracting them for you. All you need to do afterward is use sudo to move the executable to a directory in your $PATH, and you’re good to go. And this is the part most people miss: Eget is specifically designed for simple, static binaries—those that require no additional dependencies or complex installation steps. Think of it as a one-stop solution for tools where the extracted binary is all you need.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Eget isn’t a universal fix. It only works with tools that provide pre-built binaries, and it might fail in cases where the repository structure is unconventional. For instance, when I tried installing the Kew terminal music player, Eget couldn’t locate the binaries. However, its utility far outweighs these occasional limitations, especially for developers and users dealing with straightforward installations.
Let’s dive into a practical example. Say you want to install Cmatrix, a fun tool that replicates the iconic "letter rain" effect from The Matrix. While Cmatrix is available in most default repositories, using Eget showcases its simplicity. First, you’ll need the GitHub repository URL, in this case, abishekvashok/cmatrix. The command is straightforward:
bash
eget abishekvashok/cmatrix
The binary is downloaded and ready to run, but to use it like a regular terminal program, move it to a directory in your $PATH, such as /usr/local/bin/:
bash
sudo mv cmatrix /usr/local/bin/
Test it out with:
bash
cmatrix
Now, let’s explore Eget’s additional features. By entering eget --help, you’ll discover a range of options to customize your installation process. For instance:
- Directly move the binary to a specific location:
bash eget --to=/usr/local/bin abishekvashok/cmatrix - Install a specific version:
bash eget --tag=v1.0.0 abishekvashok/cmatrix - Download pre-releases for cutting-edge software:
bash eget --pre-release abishekvashok/cmatrix - Download without extracting:
bash eget --download-only abishekvashok/cmatrix - Install multiple repositories from a file:
bash eget --download-all repositories.txt - Upgrade a program only if a newer version exists:
bash eget --upgrade-only abishekvashok/cmatrix
Configuration Made Easy: Eget allows you to customize its behavior via a configuration file (.eget.toml). For example, you can set a default target directory or enable specific options globally or per repository. Here’s a sample configuration:
```toml
[global]
upgrade_only = true
target = "/usr/local/bin"
[abishekvashok/cmatrix]
verifysha256 = true
downloadsource = true
```
How to Get Eget: Ironically, you can’t use Eget to install itself! Instead, download it using curl:
bash
curl https://zyedidia.github.io/eget.sh | sh
Then, move the executable to your $PATH:
bash
sudo mv eget /usr/local/bin/
Conclusion: Eget is a game-changer for developers who distribute simple, static binaries. Instead of overwhelming users with complex installation instructions, developers can recommend Eget as a hassle-free solution. It’s also ideal for lesser-known distributions lacking robust package managers. But here’s the question: Is Eget worth adding to your toolkit? Does it solve a problem for you? Share your thoughts in the comments—let’s spark a discussion!
