Today, Mac users with new operating systems in place tin now install Command Line Tools from the Xcode IDE without needing to install the entire Xcode package, or opening an Apple developers account.

Did you know: Using Xcode app leaves backside a lot of junk files a.chiliad.a. "evolution junk." These files are usually hidden from view but yous can delete them with a Mac maintenance app CleanMyMac Ten.

In this article, we comprehend how you can install this optional and highly useful Command Line Tools package.

X lawmaking 11. Credit: developerinsider

What is the Xcode Command Line Tools package?

For Mac power users — nosotros wouldn't recommend downloading this unless you are comfy with Terminal — the Xcode Command Line Tools package gives you a complete Unix toolkit attainable through Last. No programmer account needed and you lot don't need to download the unabridged — and quite large Xcode package of executables.

Inside the Xcode Control Line toolkit, Mac users gain access to numerous useful tools, utilities, and compilers, including brand, 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 x.thirteen Loftier Sierra, macOS 10.14 Mojave, and macOS 10.xv Catalia onward. It isn't ever possible to download these Xcode Command Line Tools, post-obit 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.

Hither is how yous install Xcode Command Line Tools.

How to install Xcode Control Line Tools?

  1. Get to Last in /Applications/Utilities/.
  2. Input the following control cord in Concluding: xcode-select —install
  3. In the same way when yous are downloading new software and apps, a popup update window will appear asking you: "The xcode-select command requires the command line programmer tools. Would you like to install the tools now?"
  4. Select confirm by clicking Install.
  5. Wait for the Xcode Command Line Tools package to install. Information technology is around 130 MB and usually installs fairly apace; although it depends on your connectedness.
  6. 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. Savour using your new Unix command line tools!

Alternative manner to install command line toolsIf the Concluding combination didn't work, open the Finder > Go to Binder...menu.
Paste in the following path: /Organisation/Library/CoreServices

In that location, find the app chosenInstall Control Line Developer Tools.app — information technology will have a blue globe icon.
Click this app and then try the Terminal method explained above.

With this new download, you should take access to 61 Unix command line tools. For case, ane of the advantages of having these tools is you tin can install new apps and software directly from the source code instead of needing to go through the package director and usual download route.

To access or view everything y'all've now got, go to the following directory:

/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools/

Please note, this is the root /Library of your macOS/Bone X, not the ~/Library directory.

All of these tools can also be plant in: /Library/Programmer/CommandLineTools/usr/bin/

These tools like modest executable apps (which they are):

What happens if I run across problems downloading these?

If you get an mistake message that says "Can't install the software considering it is not currently bachelor from the Software Update server", information technology ways yous've already got the Xcode package on your Mac. Mac OS X ten.nine onward, Xcode was already installed, which is why you aren't able to download these tools. However, what yous tin can exercise is uninstall the entire Xcode app if yous'd prefer to simply access these tools and non a whole load of software that isn't going to be of much utilize.

Picket out for Xcode junk

The Xcode junk is i of those types of clutter that is keeps accumulating in remote places on your Mac. Information technology could accept up a few gigs of your infinite. The only app that seems to accost this trouble is CleanMyMac Ten by MacPaw. Information technology'due south loved by many Mac developers because it collects those specific types of development junk, like Xcode or outdated libraries.

Download a free version of CleanMyMac X here

Once you launch the app, click on System Junk > Scan. And then, click "Review Details"

CleanMyMac X - Xcode junk in System Junk module

CleanMyMac Ten is a powerful Mac performance improvement app. Information technology makes your Mac as practiced as new. Let it scan your system and clear out any unwanted Xcode, development and organisation junk that is taking up also much space and cluttering up your Mac. In a few clicks, your Mac could exist running smoother, quicker and more than efficiently.