---
# System prepended metadata

title: setting-up-your-mac-for-development

---

# 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.

