Xcode is an IDE from Apple to create apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Apple TV.You probably need some of its tools without install the entire package.Maybe you want to write a command-line software on macOS, or maybe you need to use Homebrew package manager.In that case, you only need the subset of it: Xcode command-line tools.

In this post, I documented three most frequently asked questions about the Xcode command-line tools.

Download Android SDK Tools. If you do not need Android Studio, you can download the basic Android command line tools below. These tools are best known as Android SDK tools for Windows, Mac and Linux. Download SDK Tools (Windows): sdk-tools-windows-4333796.zip; Download SDK Tools (Mac): sdk-tools-darwin-4333796.zip. To develop Flutter apps for iOS, you need a Mac with Xcode installed. Install the latest stable version of Xcode (using web download or the Mac App Store). Configure the Xcode command-line tools to use the newly-installed version of Xcode by running the following from the command line.

How to Install Xcode Command Line Tools

macOS is bundled with xcode-select.By using this command, you can download and install the latest Xcode command-line tools.What you need is to enter the following command.

Here is an example session when I install Xcode command-line tools.

After you entered the previous command on Terminal, a pop-up window will appear for confirmation.Click Install to continue.If you need to rethink again, click Cancel.

A standard License Agreement will appear.If you want to, you can read them all.Click Agree to continue the installation process.

A pop-up window will appear informing you of the download progress.This time you do nothing.Wait until the download process finished.This can take a long time, it depends on your internet speed.

Command Line Developer Tools Mac Download Mac

After the downloading finished, the final pop up window will appear.This is to inform you that the Xcode command-line tools were installed on your machine successfully.

How to Uninstall Xcode Command Line Tools

In the case in the future you don’t need it again and want to free some space, you can uninstall it.

Unfortunately, there is no xcode-select --uninstall command.So, you have to do it manually.Just type the following command to the terminal.

It’ll ask your password you used for login.Enter your password and wait until it’s finished.

How to Update Xcode Command Line Tools

As I mention earlier, you probably use Xcode command line tools just for the Homebrew package manager.So am I on the other machine.

One time when I do some check and update, I got the following message.

But when I open macOS Software Update, there is no available at all.

Then I try to re-install from the command-line but got the following error message instead.

Unfortunately, there is also no xcode-select --update command.That means we need to do two manual steps to update Xcode command-line tools: uninstall and install.

So here is the solution.First, uninstall Xcode installation by removing its folder.

Then re-install again from the beginning.

Follow the installation guideline and wait until it’s finished.Xcode command-line tools now updated to the latest version.

Manually Install Command Line Tools for Xcode

If none of above methods work, you can download the installer manually from Apple Developer.To install the command line tools manually, read following steps.

Mac Os Install Developer Tools

1. Visit Apple Developer download page.
2. Login with your Apple ID.
3. Search for Command Line Tools for Xcode.
4. Select the latest version you need.
5. Download the Command Line Tools for Xcode*.dmg file.
6. Open the package installer and follow installation instruction.

Apple Command Line Tools

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