Complete beginner tutorialMacOS

Install Git, GitHub CLI, and Claude Desktop on MacOS

A step-by-step guide for people who have never used a terminal. Take your time and follow the steps in order.

Duration

About 45 to 70 minutes.

You will need

Your email, your computer password, and an internet connection.

Main tool

Terminal, opened from Finder -> Applications -> Utilities -> Terminal.

StartView the Windows version

Simple rules to avoid mistakes

  • Only download software from the official links shown in this tutorial.
  • Copy commands exactly, without adding a period, quote, or leading space.
  • If a step takes a while, wait. Many installers stay quiet for several minutes.
  • If you get lost, close the window, breathe, then go back to the previous step.

Note about Mac screenshots

If you see odd visual artifacts in some screenshots, that is normal: personal details were erased before publication.

Step 1

Prepare your Mac and open Terminal

5 min

Do not worry

Terminal is a normal Apple app. Here it is only used to paste precise instructions.
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Finder to Utilities

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Terminal open

  1. Click the Finder icon.
  2. In the left column, click Applications.
  3. Open the Utilities folder.
  4. Double-click Terminal.

Do not worry

If you see a window with your Mac name and a blinking cursor, that is exactly right.

Step 2

Install Homebrew, the tool that installs other tools

10 to 20 min

Do not worry

Homebrew is widely used on Mac. During installation, your Mac may ask for your password.
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Homebrew command pasted

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Press RETURN prompt

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echo and eval instructions

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Check brew --version

In Terminal, copy and paste this full command, then press Enter:

Copy and paste
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
  1. If Terminal asks for your Mac password, type it. Characters do not appear: that is normal.
  2. If Terminal shows Press RETURN/ENTER to continue, press Enter.
  3. Wait. This can take several minutes.

Important point

At the end, Homebrew may show two lines starting with echo and eval. If so, copy and paste those two lines into Terminal.

Check Homebrew:

Copy and paste
brew --version

Step 3

Install Git on MacOS

5 to 10 min

Do not worry

Git is the tool that lets your computer talk properly with GitHub.
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brew install git command

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Check git --version

In Terminal, type:

Copy and paste
brew install git

When installation is finished, check:

Copy and paste
git --version

Step 4

Install GitHub CLI on MacOS

5 min

Do not worry

GitHub CLI is called gh. It helps Terminal connect to GitHub.
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brew install gh command

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Check gh --version

In Terminal, type:

Copy and paste
brew install gh

Check:

Copy and paste
gh --version

Step 5

Create a GitHub account

10 min

Do not worry

This step happens in the browser, like signing up to any website.
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GitHub homepage

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Signup form

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GitHub account created

  1. Go to https://github.com/.
  2. Click Sign up.
  3. Enter your email address.
  4. Choose a strong password.
  5. Choose a username, for example firstname-lastname.
  6. Verify your email address with the code sent by GitHub.

Security tip

Enable two-factor authentication if GitHub offers it.

Step 6

Authenticate GitHub CLI with HTTPS

5 to 10 min

Do not worry

Your browser will open to confirm your identity. That is normal.
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gh auth login command

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Temporary GitHub CLI code

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Browser authorization

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Authentication complete

In Terminal, type:

Copy and paste
gh auth login --web --git-protocol https
  1. Choose GitHub.com if Terminal asks.
  2. Choose HTTPS if Terminal asks.
  3. Write down or copy the displayed code.
  4. In the browser that opens, log in to GitHub.
  5. Paste the code and authorize GitHub CLI.

Step 7

Install Claude Desktop on MacOS

10 min

Do not worry

On Mac, apps are often installed by dragging them into Applications.
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Claude download page

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Claude Desktop open

  1. Go to https://claude.com/download.
  2. Click macOS.
  3. Open the downloaded file, often a .dmg file.
  4. If a window shows the Claude icon and the Applications folder, drag Claude to Applications.
  5. Open Finder -> Applications -> Claude.
  6. Log in with your Claude account, or create one.

Important point

Claude Desktop requires macOS 11 Big Sur or newer.

Final checklist

□ Git responds to git --version
□ GitHub CLI responds to gh --version
□ gh auth status says you are logged in
□ Your GitHub account is verified by email
□ Claude Desktop opens from Applications or the Start menu

Official sources

These instructions are based on the official documentation for Git, GitHub CLI, GitHub, and Claude Desktop.