A macOS fork of GNU Backgammon 1.08.003 that builds and runs as a clickable native app, with a graphical 2D board for playing and analysing games against the engine.
Boards: 2D only. 3D boards are not built —
GtkGLAreais non-functional on GTK3's macOS/Quartz backend (details inCHANGES.md). Sound: works (played via the built-inafplay).
From a checkout of this repository, run:
./make-macos-app.shThat single command does everything:
- Installs the required Homebrew packages (
gtk+3,libepoxy,pkg-config). - Configures the source for the GTK3 GUI with 2D boards.
- Builds
gnubg. - Assembles
GNU Backgammon.appin./dist. - Copies it to
/Applications.
When it finishes, launch GNU Backgammon from Launchpad or Spotlight — or:
open "/Applications/GNU Backgammon.app"- macOS on Apple Silicon or Intel.
- Xcode Command Line Tools — install with
xcode-select --install. - Homebrew — install from https://brew.sh.
The script checks for both and stops with instructions if either is missing. It installs the remaining dependencies itself.
Start a game with Game → New → Game, then play against the computer. A few notes:
- Undo a move with Ctrl+Z (note: Control, not ⌘), or the Undo toolbar button.
- Sound effects are on by default; toggle them under the Settings/Sound options.
- There is also a command-line interface — run the binary inside the bundle with
-t, or build and run./gnubg -t.
If you'd rather build by hand instead of using the script (Homebrew prefix shown
for Apple Silicon; on Intel use /usr/local):
brew install gtk+3 libepoxy pkg-config
export PKG_CONFIG_PATH="/opt/homebrew/lib/pkgconfig:/opt/homebrew/share/pkgconfig"
export CPPFLAGS="-I/opt/homebrew/include" LDFLAGS="-L/opt/homebrew/lib"
./configure --with-gtk3 --without-board3d
make -j"$(sysctl -n hw.ncpu)"
./gnubg # run the GUI directly from the build directory- The app needs the Homebrew GTK3 stack installed to run. The binary links the Homebrew dylibs by absolute path, so the bundle is a convenient launcher rather than a standalone, fully relocatable redistributable. The app is self-contained for its data (neural-net weights, bearoff databases, match-equity tables, fonts, pixmaps, sounds), which live inside the bundle.
- 2D boards only — see above.
- The app is unsigned. macOS Gatekeeper may require right-click → Open the first time, or allowing it under System Settings → Privacy & Security.
CHANGES.md— everything this fork changes from upstream, and why.FORK.md— fork purpose and maintenance.README— the upstream GNU Backgammon readme.- Upstream project: https://www.gnu.org/software/gnubg/
GNU General Public License v3.0 or later, the same as upstream GNU Backgammon.
See COPYING.