git – the save-as-you-go version control system.clang – a compiler that turns source code into an executable program.Here are examples of commands that will trigger a prompt to install Xcode Command Line Tools: How to Install Xcode Command Line Tools from a Command PromptĪpple has made it easy to install Xcode Command Line Tools because certain commands will prompt you to begin installation. Instead, try either of two faster methods. The download will take too long and it will consume unnecessary disk space.

I don't recommend installing the full Xcode package unless you're developing software for an Apple device.

install Xcode Command Line Tools as part of a Homebrew installation.

install Xcode Command Line Tools when triggered by a command.

You have three choices to install Xcode Command Line Tools on a Mac:

Luckily, the Xcode Command Line Tools package only requires 1.2GB of space on your disk. Programmers have used these tools on Unix operating systems since computing's beginnings, and they serve as the foundation of almost all software development. It's a smaller package for software developers with tools that run on the command line, that is, in the Terminal application. Instead, you'll install Xcode Command Line Tools. If you're not developing software for an Apple device, you won't need the full Xcode application (it requires over 40GB of disk space!). It's not pre-installed, but you can install it from the Apple developer website or the App Store on your Mac. If you are developing software for macOS, iOS, tvOS, and watchOS, you must install the full Xcode application. Developers need to install Xcode Command Line Tools before they can develop software on a Mac.Īpple provides a complete development environment for programmers named Xcode.

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