Run ydiff from ChatGPT or Claude
View colored diff with side by side and auto pager support. With BCD, ChatGPT, Claude and other AI apps can install and run ydiff on your own computer and read what it prints.
Works on
- MacWorks
Homebrew has a ready-made build; the AI can install it with
brew install ydiff. - LinuxPartly
Homebrew on Linux builds it from source, or install it with your distribution's package manager.
- WindowsNot in Homebrew
Homebrew does not run on Windows. If ydiff has a Windows build, BCD can run it in PowerShell.
About ydiff
- Version
- 1.5
- License
- BSD-3-Clause
- Installs (last 365 days)
- 594 · #3,342 in Homebrew
- Homepage
- github.com/ymattw/ydiff
- Install
brew install ydiff
Try asking
“Install ydiff with Homebrew and show me its version”
“Read ydiff --help and give me three useful examples for my files”
“Update ydiff and tell me what changed”
Depends on
Questions
Can ChatGPT run ydiff on my computer?
Yes. With BCD on your Mac or Linux computer and command permission turned on for it, ChatGPT runs ydiff there and reads the output. Claude and other apps with MCP connectors can too.
Do I need to install ydiff first?
No. If Homebrew is installed, the AI can run brew install ydiff for you.
Is it safe?
A new computer starts read-only: running commands is turned on per computer, and BCD reaches only the folders you allow.
Try it on your computer
BCD connects ChatGPT, Claude and other AI apps to your own Mac, Windows or Linux computer. One computer is free, with 20,000 tool calls a month and no card.
Program data from Homebrew, updated 2026-11-11. Installs are Homebrew's installs on request over the last 365 days.