Installing Command Line Tools (Mountain Lion)

Even though you may not be developing applications, all of the popular package managers (such as MacPorts and Homebrew) require you to have "Command Line Tools" installed to be able to build and compile packages. Xcode is Apples IDE for developing software and is the easiest way to install the tools you need for these package managers.

Prerequisites

Note: This tutorial is obsolete if you're running 10.9 - Mavericks. Please use this tutorial instead. Installing Command Line Tools (Mavericks)

This tutorial was done with the following versions:

• Mountain Lion (10.8.5)
• Xcode (5.0) 

Installation

1. Download Xcode form the App Store (you will need an Apple ID for this)

Downloading Xcode from the App Store

2.  Launch Xcode

Starting Xcode from Launchpad

3. You'll need to agree to the terms and conditions and enter your password 

Agree to the Licence Agreement

4. Once Xcode has started. From the menubar select

Xcode -> Preferences

Enter Xcode Prefrences

 5. This will bring up the preferences window. Across the top are different menus tabs. It defaults to "General". Click "Downloads".

Preference Window -"General" tab.

7. Once in the "Downloads" menu. Click the little arrow next to "Command Line Tools" to start the download.

Downloading "Command Line Tools"

8. Once the Download / Installation is finished a tick will appear and you're now free to close Xcode.

"Command Line Tools" are installed.

End Notes

You can now build and compile software on OS X! You're free to also download and use a package manager of your choice.

• Click here to learn how to install MacPorts (Coming Soon)
• Click here to learn how to install Homebrew