Distribute CLI Tools with Homebrew Using GoReleaser

Sat, 18 Apr 2026 10:30:00 +1000

Sharing a CLI tool should be as simple as brew install thing. This post walks through the full pipeline: build a Go TUI with Bubbletea, automate releases with GoReleaser, and distribute via a custom Homebrew tap.

The Tool

A minimal Bubbletea app that renders a navigable list. Nothing fancy; the point is the distribution pipeline, not the application.

type Model struct {
    Items    []string
    Cursor   int
    Quitting bool
}

func (m Model) Update(msg tea.Msg) (tea.Model, tea.Cmd) {
    switch msg := msg.(type) {
    case tea.KeyMsg:
        switch msg.String() {
        case "q", "ctrl+c":
            m.Quitting = true
            return m, tea.Quit
        case "up", "k":
            if m.Cursor > 0 {
                m.Cursor--
            }
        case "down", "j":
            if m.Cursor < len(m.Items)-1 {
                m.Cursor++
            }
        }
    }
    return m, nil
}

Standard Bubbletea pattern: a model with Init, Update, and View. Tests cover cursor bounds, quit behaviour, and view rendering.

Golang on Panditha

Distribute CLI Tools with Homebrew Using GoReleaser

The Tool