Zoxide Download Guide: Safe, Fast Install for macOS, Windows, and Linux

If you are chasing the keyword “zoxide download”, you probably want two things: a trusted download source and a frictionless install path. This guide focuses on exactly that—no fluff, no AI-sounding filler. You will see the official sources, the fastest commands for each platform, and the checks that prevent silent misconfigurations.

Why the “zoxide download” keyword matters

• Users search for a direct, trustworthy download path. Linking to unofficial mirrors or random scripts risks malware and broken setups.
• Search engines prefer pages that explain where to download, how to install, and how to verify success. We cover all three.
• Clear guidance reduces support tickets about PATH, shell init, and “zoxide not working” errors.

Only download from official channels

Use these sources to avoid tampered binaries:

• GitHub Releases: https://github.com/ajeetdsouza/zoxide/releases
• Package managers (preferred): Homebrew, Scoop, winget, apt, dnf, pacman, cargo
• Avoid copy-paste install scripts from untrusted blogs or gists.

Quick install commands by platform

Pick the path that matches your system. If one command fails, choose the fallback right below it.

macOS

• Homebrew (recommended):

• Manual (if Homebrew unavailable): download the macOS tarball from GitHub Releases and place the binary into /usr/local/bin, then run chmod +x /usr/local/bin/zoxide.

Windows

• Scoop (most reliable):

• winget (built-in on recent Windows):

• Chocolatey (alternative):

Linux

• Debian/Ubuntu:

• Fedora / RHEL / CentOS:

• Arch / Manjaro:

• Cargo (works everywhere, needs Rust):

Verify the install before editing your shell

Run these checks immediately after installation:

If either command fails, stop and fix PATH issues first. Do not edit shell configs until the binary is visible.

Initialize your shell (the step most people miss)

Zoxide needs a small hook so it can learn your jumps. Add one of the following to your shell config, then reload the shell.

• Bash (~/.bashrc):

• Zsh (~/.zshrc):

• Fish (~/.config/fish/config.fish):

• PowerShell ($PROFILE):

Reload the shell and test with:

Common mistakes and fast fixes

1. Binary not in PATH

• Symptom: zoxide --version fails.
• Fix: ensure package manager bin paths are in PATH (/opt/homebrew/bin, ~/.cargo/bin, %USERPROFILE%\scoop\shims, etc.).

2. Shell hook missing

• Symptom: z exists but never learns directories.
• Fix: add the init snippet above and reopen the terminal.

3. Old binaries from random mirrors

• Symptom: unexpected flags missing or crashes.
• Fix: reinstall from official package managers or GitHub Releases; remove older copies from custom directories.

4. Corporate proxy or SSL interception

• Symptom: install script cannot reach GitHub.
• Fix: configure proxy for your package manager (e.g., git config --global http.proxy ... or npm config set proxy ...), then retry with the official command.

5. Conflicting aliases

• Symptom: z runs a different tool.
• Fix: type z to see what executes; remove old aliases before reloading the shell.

Keep it updated (so “zoxide download” stays secure)

• Homebrew: brew upgrade zoxide
• Scoop: scoop update zoxide
• winget: winget upgrade zoxide
• Cargo: cargo install --force zoxide
• Check installed version anytime: zoxide --version

Quick troubleshooting checklist

• zoxide --version prints a version ✅
• type z shows a shell function from zoxide ✅
• z ~ jumps home, z - goes back ✅
• zoxide query project returns a path ✅ If any step fails, reinstall from the official channel and re-run the shell init commands.

FAQ for the “zoxide download” searcher

• Can I install offline? Yes—download the binary from GitHub Releases, place it in your PATH, and initialize your shell manually.
• WSL support? Works fine; use your Linux package manager inside WSL and add the init snippet to your WSL shell config.
• Portable use? You can keep the binary in a project folder and call it directly, but remember it still writes its database to the user directory unless you set _ZO_DATA_DIR.
• How do I uninstall? Remove the package via your manager (e.g., brew uninstall zoxide) and delete the init snippet from your shell config.

What to do next

• Visit the official download page: https://zoxide.org/en/download
• Add the init snippet, reload your shell, and test z, zi, and zoxide query.
• Bookmark this guide so your team has a clean, repeatable zoxide download process.