Brokefetch: The Lightweight and Speedy Neofetch Alternative Your Terminal Needs
For years, the neofetch command has been a staple for Linux enthusiasts, system administrators, and anyone who loves to showcase their system’s specifications with a touch of ASCII art. It’s the first thing many of us run on a new install. However, with Neofetch’s development slowing, many users are searching for a modern, actively maintained, and efficient replacement.
Enter Brokefetch, a powerful and sleek system information tool designed to be a superior alternative. If you’re looking for a utility that provides essential system stats without the bloat, Brokefetch might be the perfect addition to your command-line toolkit.
What Exactly is Brokefetch?
At its core, Brokefetch is a command-line utility that fetches and displays your system’s hardware and software information in a clean, visually appealing format. Just like its predecessors, it shows your distribution’s ASCII logo alongside key details like your OS, kernel version, uptime, CPU, GPU, and memory usage.
What sets it apart is its foundation. Brokefetch is written entirely in the C programming language, which translates directly to exceptional speed and a minimal resource footprint.
Why Choose Brokefetch Over Other System Info Tools?
While there are several system fetch tools available, Brokefetch makes a compelling case with a few key advantages.
Blazing-Fast Performance
Because it’s compiled in C instead of being a shell script, Brokefetch runs almost instantaneously. When you open a new terminal, you won’t experience that slight delay common with heavier scripts. The response is snappy and immediate, making it feel like a native part of your shell.
Incredibly Lightweight
If you’re running on older hardware, a Raspberry Pi, or simply value system efficiency, Brokefetch is an ideal choice. Its low memory and CPU usage ensure that it gets the job done without bogging down your system’s resources. This minimalist approach means you get all the information you need with none of the performance cost.
Deeply Customizable
Brokefetch offers a high degree of customization, allowing you to control exactly what information is displayed and how it looks. You can easily configure it to show or hide specific components like shell version, screen resolution, or GPU details. This makes it perfect for “ricing” your desktop and creating a personalized terminal environment that shows only what’s important to you.
How to Install Brokefetch on Your System
Getting Brokefetch up and running is a straightforward process that involves compiling it from the source. This ensures you have the latest version and that it’s optimized for your specific system.
Prerequisites: Before you begin, you’ll need git to clone the repository and a C compiler like gcc along with make to build the program. Most Linux distributions have these pre-installed or available in their official repositories.
You can typically install them with a command like:
sudo apt install build-essential git (for Debian/Ubuntu)
sudo dnf groupinstall "Development Tools" and sudo dnf install git (for Fedora)
Installation Steps:
Clone the Git Repository:
Open your terminal and clone the official Brokefetch repository.git clone https://github.com/MrBrody/brokefetchNavigate into the Directory:
Change your current directory to the newly cloned folder.cd brokefetchCompile and Install the Program:
Use themakecommand to compile the source code. Once it’s finished, usesudo make installto install it system-wide.make sudo make installRun Brokefetch:
That’s it! You can now run the tool by simply typingbrokefetchin your terminal. For an even cleaner look, you can try runningbrokefetch -S.
To have it run every time you open a new terminal, add the command brokefetch to the end of your shell’s configuration file (e.g., ~/.bashrc, ~/.zshrc).
The Final Verdict: Is Brokefetch Your Next Fetch Tool?
If you value speed, efficiency, and a clean, no-nonsense approach to system information, then the answer is a resounding yes. Brokefetch successfully carries the torch from Neofetch, offering a faster, lighter, and more modern experience.
It’s an excellent choice for:
- Linux power users who want a fast and responsive terminal.
- System administrators needing quick hardware and software overviews.
- Users with older or low-power machines who need to conserve resources.
- Anyone looking for a reliable, actively developed Neofetch alternative.
By providing essential information in a highly optimized package, Brokefetch has earned its place as a top-tier system information tool. Give it a try—it might just become an indispensable part of your Linux workflow.
Source: https://www.linuxlinks.com/brokefetch-neofetch-clone/
