macOS (Apple Silicon): zsh: bad CPU type in executable: ./tool
You ran an Intel (x86_64) program on an Apple Silicon Mac without Rosetta 2 (or an arm64 binary on an Intel Mac).
zsh: bad CPU type in executablebad CPU type in executablebash: ./tool: Bad CPU type in executablezsh: bad CPU type in executable: ./toolBad CPU type in executable Meaning
Install Rosetta with softwareupdate --install-rosetta --agree-to-license or get an arm64 build of the tool. Check the binary with file ./tool / lipo -info. Docker images may need --platform linux/amd64.
Common causes
- Rosetta 2 not installed
- x86_64-only binary
- Running an arm64 build on an Intel Mac
- Homebrew installed under Rosetta (/usr/local) on an M-series Mac
- Old toolchain without arm64 support
⚡ Quick fix
softwareupdate --install-rosetta --agree-to-license- Download the arm64/universal build
arch -x86_64 ./toolafter Rosetta is installed
Detailed fix by platform
macOS
file ./toolanduname -m(arm64 vs x86_64)
How to diagnose
- Binary — file output?
- CPU — uname -m?
- Rosetta — Installed?
🔧 Still not fixed?
Many errors look alike. If the steps above didn’t solve it, one of these is probably what you’re facing:
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Other ways to find it
Where this error sits
Origin: Platform & cloud. Errors that are often confused with or caused by this one (click to open):
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Last updated 5 Nov 2026