Source-backed platform rule

Homebrew GitHub tap repository prefix requirement

Homebrew requires the homebrew- repository prefix for the one-argument GitHub tap form while exempting the explicit supported Git URL form.

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Direct answer

What is the rule?

For the one-argument `brew tap` form on GitHub, the repository must be named `homebrew-<repository>` while the `homebrew-` prefix is omitted from the command. The two-argument form with an explicit supported Git URL does not impose this naming convention.

Scope: Homebrew tap, Brewfile, and formula-version rules
Human verified: August 14, 2026
Source checked: September 3, 2026

Published evidence

Rule details

GitHub tap repository name

The one-argument GitHub form requires a `homebrew-<repository>` repository name and omits that prefix from the command. The explicit-URL two-argument form does not impose the convention.

Applicability

Service: Homebrew. Rule group: tap-addressing. Scope is limited to this exact topic and its source-stated qualifiers.

Evidence trail

Official sources

Homebrew GitHub tap repository naming
Homebrew · verified August 14, 2026

Attribution and license

Homebrew documentation by Homebrew contributors, Copyright (c) 2009-present, Homebrew contributors. Source: https://github.com/Homebrew/brew/tree/f3c503e358abf72bc5868869b5f92e90ff0bfc4d. Licensed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/. Modified by RuleRoster: RuleRoster extracted and restructured facts into typed rule fields and concise answers. Verified 2026-08-14. No endorsement by Homebrew is implied. The Creative Commons license does not license trademark or patent rights.

Interpretation and accountability

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Confirm that the scope matches your case.
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Record dates

Published: August 15, 2026
Human verified: August 14, 2026
Source checked: September 3, 2026
Review due: September 10, 2026

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