What's great is that it can completely remove software from macOS.
For instance, Google Chrome litters the filesystem and is not easy to clean up manually. Homebrew however can remove all traces by passing the --zap option:
brew uninstall --zap google-chrome
You can view the formula as follows:
brew info --github google-chrome
Look for the zap stanza, there's a whole list of folders.
I've noticed that --zap tends to leave a lot of traces still. Is it application specific?
I'll give an example:
If I run brew uninstall --zap vmware-fusion and then brew install vmware-fusion VMware Fusion can still pick up various bits from its previous installation (like how my 30-day free trial has expired).
If I drag VMware Fusion into AppCleaner, then run brew uninstall --zap vmware-fusion, then run AppCleaner, when I reinstall VMware Fusion, I can restart the 30-day free trial all over again.
I know this because I have been doing this on an as needed basis for like 5 years now ;).
I use them both at the same time for most GUI apps. I have noticed that --zap tends to leave a lot of remnants still that AppCleaner sometimes picks up.
For instance, Google Chrome litters the filesystem and is not easy to clean up manually. Homebrew however can remove all traces by passing the --zap option:
You can view the formula as follows: Look for the zap stanza, there's a whole list of folders.