Installation Guide for Mac

This guide will walk you through installing the software you need for Web Development class on a Mac.

What You'll Install

  1. Phoenix Code - Your code editor for writing HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
  2. Git - Version control software for tracking changes and publishing to GitHub

Installing Phoenix Code

Step 1: Download Phoenix Code

  1. Go to https://phcode.io/
  2. Click the Download button for Mac
  3. The disk image file will download (usually to your Downloads folder)

Step 2: Install Phoenix Code

  1. Locate the downloaded file (likely named something like PhoenixCode-x.x.x.dmg)
  2. Double-click the DMG file to open it
  3. A window will appear showing the Phoenix Code icon and an Applications folder
  4. Drag the Phoenix Code icon into the Applications folder
  5. Wait for the copy to complete
  6. Eject the disk image (right-click on the mounted disk image and select "Eject")

Step 3: Launch Phoenix Code

  1. Open your Applications folder
  2. Find Phoenix Code and double-click to open it
  3. The first time you open it, macOS will show a security warning: "Phoenix Code is an app downloaded from the internet. Are you sure you want to open it?"
  4. Click Open

You're done installing Phoenix Code!

Installing Git

Git may already be installed on your Mac. Let's check first.

Step 1: Check if Git is Already Installed

  1. Open Terminal (you can find it in Applications > Utilities, or search for it using Spotlight)
  2. Type the following command and press Enter:
    git --version

If you see a version number (like git version 2.xx.x):

  • Git is already installed! Skip to "Next Steps" below.

If you see "command not found" or a prompt to install developer tools:

  • Continue to Step 2

Step 2: Install Git (if needed)

You have two options for installing Git on Mac:

What is Homebrew? Homebrew is a package manager for Mac that makes installing developer tools easy. Many professional developers use it.

  1. First, install Homebrew (skip if you already have it):
    • In Terminal, paste this command and press Enter:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
  • Follow the prompts (you may need to enter your Mac password)
  • Wait for installation to complete (this may take a few minutes)
  • Important: After installation, Homebrew will show you commands to run. Copy and paste those commands to finish setup.
  1. Install Git using Homebrew:
    • In Terminal, type:
brew install git
  • Press Enter and wait for Git to install
  1. Verify Git is installed:
    git --version

Option B: Install via Command Line Tools (Fallback)

If Homebrew installation has issues, use this method:

  1. In Terminal, type:
    git --version
  2. If Git isn't installed, macOS will prompt: "The 'git' command requires the command line developer tools. Would you like to install the tools now?"
  3. Click Install
  4. Accept the license agreement
  5. Wait for the installation to complete (this may take several minutes - can be slow)
  6. When finished, verify Git is installed:
    git --version

Note: Command Line Tools download can be very slow. Homebrew (Option A) is usually faster and more reliable.

If you see the version number, Git is installed correctly!

Next Steps

You're all set with software installation!

In class, you'll complete the GitHub Account Setup guide, which will walk you through:

  • Configuring Git with your name and email
  • Generating SSH keys
  • Creating your GitHub account
  • Cloning your first project

If you have any problems with installation, let your teacher know in class.

Troubleshooting

Phoenix Code won't open / "Phoenix Code is damaged":

  • This is a security feature in macOS
  • Open System Preferences > Security & Privacy
  • Click Open Anyway next to the message about Phoenix Code
  • Or right-click Phoenix Code and select Open, then click Open in the dialog

Terminal commands not working:

  • Make sure you're pressing Enter after typing each command
  • Check that you typed the command exactly as shown (no extra spaces)

Homebrew installation issues:

  • Make sure you have administrator privileges
  • Check your internet connection (Homebrew downloads files)
  • If Homebrew fails, use Option B (Command Line Tools) instead

Git installation via Command Line Tools stuck:

  • This can take a long time (10+ minutes sometimes)
  • Check your internet connection
  • If it's taking too long, cancel and try Homebrew (Option A) instead

Need to find Terminal:

  • Press Command + Space to open Spotlight
  • Type "Terminal" and press Enter

Installation failed:

  • Make sure you have administrator privileges on your Mac
  • Try restarting your computer and trying again
  • Ask your teacher for help in class