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Rashil Gandhi edited this page Jul 3, 2022 · 5 revisions

Why should you care about Scoop?

If you identify with lots of the following statements, then Scoop has been designed with you in mind.

  • You're a programmer/developer
  • You want to set up a machine without having to visit a bunch of websites, download installers and then click through each one
  • You're comfortable working on the command line, especially with tools like Git
  • You're familiar with UNIX tools, and you wish there were more of them on Windows
  • You read Hacker News and you feel like you're 'stuck' on Windows and missing out on lots of cool things
  • You wish there was an easier way to tell other developers how to install programs (maybe your own programs)
  • You use Homebrew/apt-get and think, "this is awesome".

What can Scoop do for me?

  • Lets you script your development/production environment setup (repeatable!)
  • Installs tools so they 'just work', the way they work on other platforms (e.g. SSH)
  • Lets you stay on the command line, where you can work fast
  • Extends PowerShell so you can use programs that work really well with text, the universal interface.
  • Lets you sharpen skills that transfer to Linux and macOS

But I already use X, why should I use Scoop?

There are similar tools available, like Chocolatey, Ninite and CoApp. While there's a more in-depth comparison with Chocolatey and Winget here, here are some general reasons why you might like to try Scoop.

Scoop:

  • avoids GUIs whenever possible, keeps you on the command line
  • installs to your home directory by default (thereby avoiding UAC popups, and other people messing up your setup)
  • installs applications independently and in a self-contained way (which means less conflicts, easy to undo installs)
  • doesn't pollute your path
  • has a command interface similar to Git and similar tools
  • makes it easy to discover commands that you don't know, or have forgotten
  • makes it easy to tell people how to install your programs
  • has a curated collection of apps, while at the same time...
  • makes it easy to create your own apps and collections of apps
  • values your time and attention
  • reads the README for you

There are other, less objective reasons to give Scoop a try. Maybe you want to be able to install apps without Admin privileges. Maybe you like Chocolatey but you don't like the name, or typing cinst feels weird, or you're not a fan of messages about 'Chocolatey gods'.

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