# setting-up-your-mac-for-development ## **Step 1. Install Homebrew** Homebrew is the package manager you’ll use for nearly everything. Open **Terminal** and run: ```bash /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)" ``` After install, add Homebrew to your shell profile (Terminal should show you the exact line, e.g. for `zsh`): ```bash echo 'eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.zshrc source ~/.zshrc ``` Test with: ```bash brew doctor brew --version ``` --- ## **Step 2. Core Development Tools** Install Git, VS Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and Node: ```bash brew install git brew install --cask visual-studio-code brew install --cask cursor brew install --cask windsurf brew install node ``` Verify: ```bash git --version code --version # VS Code cursor --version # Cursor windsurf --version # Windsurf node -v npm -v ``` --- ## **Step 3. GitHub Setup** Configure Git with your identity: ```bash git config --global user.name "Your Name" git config --global user.email "you@example.com" ``` (If you’ll use GitHub often, set up an SSH key or use GitHub CLI: `brew install gh`.) --- ## **Step 4. Node Packages for AI Coding** You’ll be using npm to install global AI coding tools. Install Claude Code, Gemini CLI, and OpenAI Codex: ```bash npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code npm install -g @google/gemini-cli npm install -g @openai/codex ``` Check versions: ```bash claude-code --version gemini --version codex --version ``` --- ## **Step 5. Extras (Optional but Recommended)** * **pnpm** (fast package manager) before you make your first nextjs app: ```bash npm install -g pnpm ``` --- ## **Step 6. Verify the Toolchain** Run a quick project setup test: ```bash mkdir test-vibe cd test-vibe npm init -y code . ``` Inside VS Code (or Cursor/Windsurf), open the terminal and run: ```bash npm run ``` You should see default scripts; add one with: ```bash npm set-script dev "node index.js" ``` --- ## **Troubleshooting** * **Path issues?** Run `echo $PATH` and check Homebrew’s `/opt/homebrew/bin` is first. * **Permission errors?** Use `brew doctor` or reinstall Node with `nvm`. * **Package not found?** Run `npm list -g --depth=0` to see what’s installed globally.