Install Homebrew and the Latest Git on your Mac

We use a software called Homebrew to facilitate the installation of various tools that we use on a daily basis. This page will show you how to install Homebrew on your system and how to install the latest version of Git from Homebrew.

Clone the Git repo into your home folder

cd ~
git clone https://github.com/Homebrew/brew.git

Set Up your Path

It’s important that your Terminal knows where the new version of Git is. The procedure for this depends on which shell you’re using. You’re probably using zsh, but if you’re unsure which shell you’re using, run echo $SHELL.

If you use Bash, run

echo 'export PATH=${HOME}/brew/bin:${PATH}'  >> ~/.bash_profile
source ~/.bash_profile

If you use Zsh, run

echo 'export PATH=${HOME}/brew/bin:${PATH}'  >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc

Now, run these last few commands to clean things up and get homebrew ready.

which brew
brew update
brew doctor

Test it out: Install Git

Now that you have Homebrew installed, we can test to see if it’s working by installing the latest version of Git. Run these commands in your Terminal:

brew install git
which git

You should see something like /Users/ab123456/brew/bin/git (where ab123456 is your NID)

You’re done! You can now install all kinds of things through Homebrew! Note: If you got to this page from the ‘version-control’ training page, hitch a ride back!