Install Elixir on FreeBSD

Update pkg

Start by refreshing the package catalog so pkg sees the latest builds. This step keeps the next install clean and predictable.

sudo pkg update

pkg install lang/elixir

Install Elixir with one pkg command. The package pulls in Erlang/OTP as well, so you get both runtimes at once.

sudo pkg install lang/elixir

elixir --version

Ask Elixir for its version. The answer lists both the Erlang/OTP runtime and the Elixir language version.

elixir --version

Erlang/OTP 27 [erts-15.2] [64-bit]

Elixir 1.18.2 (compiled with Erlang/OTP 27)

If the command is not found, close the terminal, open a new one, and try again.

Ports alternative note

As an alternative, the Ports Collection offers an Elixir port for users who build from source. The binary package above is simpler and fine for this course.

Both routes bring Erlang/OTP along with Elixir. If you later need several versions side by side, version managers such as asdf/vfox work as plain local tools.

Next: Elixir in Docker

Article author: Arthur Isaev