Bun is a fast JavaScript runtime that ships as a single binary with zero dependencies. It includes a package manager, test runner, and bundler in one tool. You can install Bun on macOS, Linux, and Windows through several methods.
This guide covers every way to install Bun, platform-specific requirements, and how to keep it updated.
What Is Bun?
Bun is an all-in-one JavaScript runtime built using Zig and JavaScriptCore. It handles package installs, runs scripts, bundles code, and executes tests without extra tooling.
After you install Bun, run bun --version in a fresh terminal to confirm the setup. Run bun --revision to see the exact build hash.
How to Install Bun on macOS and Linux
The fastest way to install Bun on macOS and Linux uses a one-line curl command:
curl -fsSL https://bun.com/install | bashThis downloads the correct binary and places it in ~/.bun/bin.
Linux users need unzip before running the script. If it’s missing, install it with sudo apt install unzip.
Check your kernel version with the uname command (uname -r). Bun works best on kernel 5.6 or above, though 5.1 is the minimum.
How to Install Bun on Windows
Windows users can install Bun through PowerShell:
powershell -c "irm bun.sh/install.ps1|iex"Bun requires Windows 10 version 1809 or later. Scoop users can run scoop install bun instead.
Install Bun with Package Managers
Beyond the curl script, you can install Bun through npm, Homebrew, Scoop, or Docker.
| Operating System | Method | Command |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | Homebrew | brew install oven-sh/bun/bun |
| Windows | Scoop | scoop install bun |
| Any platform | npm | npm install -g bun |
| Containers | Docker | docker pull oven/bun |
If bun returns “command not found” after setup, add ~/.bun/bin to your PATH manually.
Upgrading Bun
Once you install Bun, the binary can update itself:
bun upgradeHomebrew users should run brew upgrade bun instead. Scoop users should use scoop update bun.
Canary Builds
Bun publishes an untested canary build on every commit to main. Run bun upgrade --canary to try it, and bun upgrade --stable to switch back.
Installing an Older Version of Bun
Pass a version tag to the install script to grab a specific release:
curl -fsSL https://bun.com/install | bash -s "bun-v1.3.3"Pre-built binaries for every release are on the GitHub releases page.
Choosing the Right Bun Binary
Bun distributes different builds for each platform. Standard x64 builds (Linux, Windows) need an AVX2-capable processor. If you get an “Illegal Instruction” error, use the baseline build that only requires SSE4.2.
macOS ARM64 builds target Apple Silicon (M1 and newer). macOS x64 builds cover older Intel Macs. Linux ARM64 builds work on 64-bit ARM boards and servers.
Distributions without glibc (like Alpine) need the musl variant. The install script picks the right one automatically. If you see a GLIBC_2.29 not found error, download the musl build from the releases page manually. macOS 13.0 or later is required regardless of chip type.
Uninstalling Bun
On macOS and Linux, delete the entire installation directory with rm:
rm -rf ~/.bunWindows users should remove the .bun folder from their home directory and clean up any related PATH entries.
FAQs
Does Bun work on all Linux distributions?
Bun works on most Linux distributions with glibc. Alpine and similar musl-based distros need the musl binary variant, which the installer selects automatically.
Can I install Bun alongside Node.js?
Yes. Bun installs into its own directory at ~/.bun and does not interfere with existing Node.js installations on your system.
What should I do if “bun” returns command not found?
Add ~/.bun/bin to your shell’s PATH variable. Open your .bashrc or .zshrc file, add the export line, then reload with source.
How often does Bun release updates?
Bun pushes canary builds on every commit to main. Stable releases happen regularly, and you can update with a single bun upgrade command.
Is Bun free to use?
Bun is open source and released under the MIT license. You can use it in personal and commercial projects at no cost.
