xcodemacosnpmnpm-installcommand-line-tool

xcode-select active developer directory error

Saw the following error when running an npm install which required node-gyp... but could be triggered by anything which requires xcode-select.

xcode-select: error: tool 'xcodebuild' requires Xcode, but active developer directory '/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools' is a command line tools instance

What is the problem?

Solution

  • This problem happens when xcode-select developer directory was pointing to /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools when a full regular Xcode was required (happens when CommandLineTools are installed after Xcode)

    Solution:

    1. Install Xcode (get it from https://appstore.com/mac/apple/xcode) if you don't have it yet.
    2. Accept the Terms and Conditions.
    3. Ensure Xcode app is in the /Applications directory (NOT /Users/{user}/Applications).
    4. Point xcode-select to the Xcode app Developer directory using the following command:
      sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer

    Note: Make sure your Xcode app path is correct.