Mac users with macOS Mojave and macOS Catalina, and new operating systems in place can now install Command Line Tools from the Xcode IDE without needing to install the entire Xcode package, or opening an Apple developers account.
OS X is built upon a UNIX foundation, which grants you access to the benefits that UNIX offers, including the standard toolkit (make, gcc, clang, git, perl, svn, size, strings, id, and a lot more) via the command line developer tools, which are an essential if you're a developer. Aside from developers, the command line tools can offer benefits to normal users as well, like the ability to purge. How do I get the command line builds tools installed with Xcode 4.4 / Mac OS X v10.8 (Mountain Lion) or later? For OS X 10.9, you simply install Xcode. The Command Line Tools are bundled with Xcode. From Technical Note TN2339, Building from the Command Line with Xcode FAQ: Downloading command-line tools is not available in Xcode for OS X 10.9. Developers who want to make use of the Xcode 8 SDKs from the command line must choose the SDK with xcode-select. Developers on OS X El Capitan who have installed versions of the Command Line Tools (OS X 10.11) for Xcode 8 Beta should install Command Line Tools (OS X 10.11) for Xcode 7.3.1. I've just installed Mac OS Mojave 10.14.1 and the latest XCode. swvers ProductName: Mac OS X ProductVersion: 10.14.1 BuildVersion: 18B75 I was just running updates and noticed one of them was an old version of the command line tools. It won't stop offering me this, and I'm not sure why. When upgrading to MacOS Catalina, Version 10.15. you can install the command line tools for xcode 11.3 like this: $ softwareupdate -list Software Update Tool Finding available software Software Update found the following new or updated software:. Label: Command Line Tools for Xcode-11.3 Title: Command Line Tools for Xcode, Version: 11.3, Size: 224878K, Recommended: YES, $ sudo.
In this article, we cover how you can install this optional and highly useful Command Line Tools package.
X code 11. Credit: developerinsider
What is the Xcode Command Line Tools package?
For Mac power users — we wouldn't recommend downloading this unless you are comfortable with Terminal — the Xcode Command Line Tools package gives you a complete Unix toolkit accessible through Terminal. No developer account needed and you don't need to download the entire — and quite large Xcode package of executables.
Within the Xcode Command Line toolkit, Mac users gain access to numerous useful tools, utilities, and compilers, including make, GCC, clang, perl, svn, git, size, strip, strings, libtool, cpp, and many others. All of these commands are a default part of Linux systems and programs.
We recommend following these steps for those with the following operating systems running on a Mac: macOS 10.13 High Sierra, macOS 10.14 Mojave, and macOS 10.15 Catalia onward. It isn't always possible to download these Xcode Command Line Tools, following these steps, on Mac’s running older operating systems. Other ways to install command tools and gcc (without needing Xcode) is available through the Apple Developer website.
Here is how you install Xcode Command Line Tools.
How to install Xcode Command Line Tools?
- Go to Terminal in /Applications/Utilities/.
- Input the following command string in Terminal:
xcode-select —install - In the same way when you are downloading new software and apps, a popup update window will appear asking you: “The xcode-select command requires the command line developer tools. Would you like to install the tools now?”
- Select confirm by clicking Install.
- Wait for the Xcode Command Line Tools package to install. It is around 130 MB and usually installs fairly quickly; although it depends on your connection.
- Once everything is installed, the installer goes away and you should be able to any of the new commands that you’ve now got access to. Enjoy using your new Unix command line tools!
With this new download, you should have access to 61 Unix command line tools. For example, one of the advantages of having these tools is you can install new apps and software directly from the source code instead of needing to go through the package manager and usual download route.
To access or view everything you've now got, go to the following directory:
/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/
Please note, this is the root /Library of your macOS/OS X, not the ~/Library directory.
All of these tools can also be found in: /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/usr/bin/
What happens if I encounter problems downloading these?
Reinstall Xcode Command Line Tools
If you get an error message that says “Can’t install the software because it is not currently available from the Software Update server”, it means you've already got the Xcode package on your Mac. Mac OS X 10.9 onward, Xcode was already installed, which is why you aren't able to download these tools. However, what you can do is uninstall the entire Xcode app if you'd prefer to only access these tools and not a whole load of software that isn’t going to be of much use.
Watch out for Xcode junk
The Xcode junk is one of those types of clutter that is keeps accumulating in remote places on your Mac. It could take up a few gigs of your space. The only app that seems to address this problem is CleanMyMac X by MacPaw. It’s loved by many Mac developers because it collects those specific types of development junk, like Xcode or outdated libraries.
Once you launch the app, click on System Junk > Scan. Then, click “Review Details”
CleanMyMac X is a powerful Mac performance improvement app. It makes your Mac as good as new. Let it scan your system and clear out any unwanted Xcode, development and system junk that is taking up too much space and cluttering up your Mac. In a few clicks, your Mac could be running smoother, quicker and more efficiently.
Mac OS X comes with Python 2.7 out of the box.
You do not need to install or configure anything else to use Python 2. Theseinstructions document the installation of Python 3.
The version of Python that ships with OS X is great for learning, but it’s notgood for development. The version shipped with OS X may be out of date from theofficial current Python release,which is considered the stable production version.
Doing it Right¶
Let’s install a real version of Python.
Before installing Python, you’ll need to install GCC. GCC can be obtainedby downloading Xcode, the smallerCommand Line Tools (must have anApple account) or the even smaller OSX-GCC-Installerpackage.
Note
If you already have Xcode installed, do not install OSX-GCC-Installer.In combination, the software can cause issues that are difficult todiagnose.
Note
If you perform a fresh install of Xcode, you will also need to add thecommandline tools by running xcode-select--install on the terminal.
While OS X comes with a large number of Unix utilities, those familiar withLinux systems will notice one key component missing: a package manager.Homebrew fills this void.
To install Homebrew, open Terminal oryour favorite OS X terminal emulator and run
The script will explain what changes it will make and prompt you before theinstallation begins.Once you’ve installed Homebrew, insert the Homebrew directory at the topof your PATH environment variable. You can do this by adding the followingline at the bottom of your ~/.profile file
If you have OS X 10.12 (Sierra) or older use this line instead
Now, we can install Python 3:
This will take a minute or two.
Pip¶
Homebrew installs pip pointing to the Homebrew’d Python 3 for you.
Working with Python 3¶
At this point, you have the system Python 2.7 available, potentially theHomebrew version of Python 2 installed, and the Homebrewversion of Python 3 as well.
will launch the Homebrew-installed Python 3 interpreter.
Command Line Tools For Xcode Mac Osx
will launch the Homebrew-installed Python 2 interpreter (if any).
will launch the Homebrew-installed Python 3 interpreter.
If the Homebrew version of Python 2 is installed then pip2 will point to Python 2.If the Homebrew version of Python 3 is installed then pip will point to Python 3.
The rest of the guide will assume that python references Python 3.
Pipenv & Virtual Environments¶
The next step is to install Pipenv, so you can install dependencies and manage virtual environments.
A Virtual Environment is a tool to keep the dependencies required by different projectsin separate places, by creating virtual Python environments for them. It solves the“Project X depends on version 1.x but, Project Y needs 4.x” dilemma, and keepsyour global site-packages directory clean and manageable.
For example, you can work on a project which requires Django 1.10 while alsomaintaining a project which requires Django 1.8.
So, onward! To the Pipenv & Virtual Environments docs!
This page is a remixed version of another guide,which is available under the same license.