# Brave Build Configuration: target_os, target_arch, and npm Config Options

> Master Brave build configuration with target_os, target_arch, and npm settings. Learn how to control platform and CPU architecture for your browser binary compilation.

- Repository: [Brave Software/brave-browser](https://github.com/brave/brave-browser)
- Tags: internals
- Published: 2026-02-16

---

**Brave uses npm config settings or inline flags to set `target_os` and `target_arch`, controlling which platform and CPU architecture the browser binary is compiled for.**

The `brave/brave-browser` repository relies on npm-driven build scripts that require explicit platform targeting. Understanding how to configure `target_os`, `target_arch`, and npm settings ensures you can compile Brave for desktop operating systems, Android, or iOS from a single source tree.

## Core Build Parameters: target_os and target_arch

Brave’s build system uses two primary variables to determine the output binary’s platform and architecture. These values are consumed by the underlying Chromium build tools (GN and Ninja) through the npm wrapper scripts defined in [`package.json`](https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/blob/main/package.json).

| Parameter | Purpose | Valid Values |
|-----------|---------|--------------|
| **`target_os`** | Specifies the operating system for the compiled binary. | `android`, `ios`, `mac`, `linux`, `win` |
| **`target_arch`** | Specifies the CPU architecture of the target device. | `arm`, `arm64`, `x86`, `x64` |

When building for Android, you typically combine `target_os=android` with `target_arch=arm` or `target_arch=arm64`. Desktop builds usually pair `target_os=mac`, `linux`, or `win` with `target_arch=x64`.

## Configuring Build Targets with npm config

Instead of passing flags to every command, you can persist `target_os` and `target_arch` values in npm’s global configuration. The scripts in [`package.json`](https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/blob/main/package.json) automatically read these settings, allowing you to run `npm run init` or `npm run build` without additional arguments.

To set permanent defaults for your environment:

```bash
npm config set target_os android
npm config set target_arch arm

```

Once configured, subsequent builds automatically target the specified platform:

```bash
npm run init
npm run build Release

```

This approach is documented in the official [`README.md`](https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/blob/main/README.md) and is particularly useful for CI/CD pipelines where you want to set the target once at the beginning of a job.

## Using Inline Flags for One-Off Builds

For temporary build targets or testing different architectures without altering global npm config, pass the parameters directly to the npm scripts using the `--` separator. This overrides any global settings for that specific command.

Initialize the repository for a specific target:

```bash
npm run init -- --target_os=ios

```

Build a release binary for Android ARM:

```bash
npm run build Release -- --target_os=android --target_arch=arm

```

You can also override individual parameters while keeping others from npm config. For example, if you have `target_os=android` and `target_arch=arm` set globally but need to build for `x64`:

```bash
npm run build -- --target_arch x64

```

## Cross-Platform Build Capabilities

Brave’s unified build system supports compiling for multiple platforms from a single checkout. The `target_os` and `target_arch` parameters map to Chromium’s GN args, which control how `src/brave/` and the underlying Chromium source are compiled.

**Mobile builds** require specific combinations:
- Android: `target_os=android` with `target_arch=arm`, `arm64`, `x86`, or `x64`
- iOS: `target_os=ios` (typically with `target_arch=arm64`)

**Desktop builds** use:
- macOS: `target_os=mac` with `target_arch=x64` or `arm64` (for Apple Silicon)
- Linux: `target_os=linux` with `target_arch=x64`
- Windows: `target_os=win` with `target_arch=x64`

The `src/brave/DEPS` file manages the external dependencies (including Chromium and brave-core) that are fetched based on these target specifications.

## Key Files in the Brave Build System

Understanding where configuration logic resides helps with debugging build issues:

| File | Purpose |
|------|---------|
| **[`README.md`](https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/blob/main/README.md)** | Documents the `target_os` and `target_arch` flags and npm config commands for setting build targets. |
| **[`package.json`](https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/blob/main/package.json)** | Defines the npm scripts (`init`, `build`, `sync`) that consume the configuration parameters and pass them to the underlying build tools. |
| **`src/brave/DEPS`** | Specifies the external dependencies (Chromium, brave-core) and hooks that are synchronized based on the target platform. |
| **`src/brave/`** | Contains the GN build files and platform-specific source code that are compiled according to the `target_os` and `target_arch` variables. |

## Practical Build Configuration Examples

### Example 1: Set Permanent Configuration for Android Development

Configure your environment once to target Android ARM devices:

```bash
npm config set target_os android
npm config set target_arch arm

```

Then run standard commands without flags:

```bash
npm run init
npm run build Release

```

### Example 2: One-Off iOS Build Without Changing Defaults

Build for iOS temporarily while keeping existing npm config intact:

```bash
npm run init -- --target_os=ios
npm run build -- --target_os=ios

```

### Example 3: CI Pipeline Configuration

In a GitHub Actions workflow, set the target environment variables before building:

```yaml
steps:
  - name: Configure build target
    run: |
      npm config set target_os android
      npm config set target_arch arm64
  - name: Initialize repository
    run: npm run init
  - name: Build release binary
    run: npm run build Release

```

## Summary

- **Brave build configuration** relies on two primary parameters: `target_os` (operating system) and `target_arch` (CPU architecture).
- **Valid `target_os` values** include `android`, `ios`, `mac`, `linux`, and `win`; **valid `target_arch` values** include `arm`, `arm64`, `x86`, and `x64`.
- **npm config** provides a persistent way to set these values using `npm config set target_os <value>` and `npm config set target_arch <value>`.
- **Inline flags** (`-- --target_os=<value> --target_arch=<value>`) allow temporary overrides for one-off builds.
- **Key files** like [`README.md`](https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/blob/main/README.md), [`package.json`](https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/blob/main/package.json), and `src/brave/DEPS` document and implement the build logic that consumes these configuration options.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What are the valid values for target_os and target_arch in Brave builds?

The `target_os` parameter accepts `android`, `ios`, `mac`, `linux`, and `win`. The `target_arch` parameter accepts `arm`, `arm64`, `x86`, and `x64`. These values map directly to Chromium's GN build arguments and determine which platform-specific code paths and dependencies are compiled from the `src/brave/` directory.

### Should I use npm config or inline flags for Brave build configuration?

Use **npm config** when you are building for the same platform repeatedly, such as during local Android development or in CI pipelines where the target is consistent. Use **inline flags** when you need to build for a different platform temporarily without changing your global defaults, such as testing an iOS build while primarily developing for Android.

### How do I build Brave for Android using npm configuration?

First, set the target parameters using npm config: `npm config set target_os android` and `npm config set target_arch arm` (or `arm64` for modern devices). Then run `npm run init` to synchronize dependencies and `npm run build Release` to compile the binary. These commands are documented in the repository's [`README.md`](https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/blob/main/README.md) and consume the configuration values defined in [`package.json`](https://github.com/brave/brave-browser/blob/main/package.json).

### Can I override npm config settings for a single build command?

Yes, you can override global npm config settings by passing inline flags after the `--` separator. For example, if you have `target_arch=arm` set globally but need to build for `x64`, run `npm run build -- --target_arch x64`. This temporary override does not modify your stored npm configuration and applies only to that specific command execution.