So What

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 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'.