How to use the command xcode-select (with examples)

The xcode-select command is used to switch between different versions of Xcode and the included developer tools. It is also used to update the path to Xcode if it is moved after installation. This command is particularly useful for developers who work with Xcode and need to switch between different versions or update the path.

Use case 1: Install Xcode’s command-line tools

Code:

xcode-select --install

Motivation: It is necessary to install Xcode’s command-line tools in order to use the command-line interface for Xcode. This is useful for developers who prefer to work in a terminal environment.

Explanation: The --install argument tells the xcode-select command to install Xcode’s command-line tools.

Example output: A prompt will appear asking if you want to install the tools. After confirming, the tools will be downloaded and installed.

Use case 2: Select a given path as the active developer directory

Code:

xcode-select --switch path/to/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer

Motivation: Sometimes it is necessary to switch between different installations of Xcode or specify a specific installation. This use case allows you to set a given path as the active developer directory.

Explanation: The --switch argument tells the xcode-select command that you want to switch the active developer directory to the provided path. Replace path/to/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer with the actual path to your desired Xcode installation.

Example output: This command doesn’t produce any output, but it sets the specified path as the active developer directory.

Use case 3: Select a given Xcode instance and use its developer directory as the active one

Code:

xcode-select --switch path/to/Xcode_file.app

Motivation: Similar to the previous use case, this use case is useful for switching between different installations of Xcode. However, instead of specifying the developer directory path, you specify the path to the Xcode instance.

Explanation: The --switch argument tells the xcode-select command that you want to switch the active developer directory to the developer directory of the specified Xcode instance. Replace path/to/Xcode_file.app with the actual path to your desired Xcode instance.

Example output: This command doesn’t produce any output, but it sets the developer directory of the specified Xcode instance as the active one.

Use case 4: Print the currently selected developer directory

Code:

xcode-select --print-path

Motivation: Sometimes it is necessary to know the currently selected developer directory. This use case allows you to print the path of the currently selected developer directory.

Explanation: The --print-path argument tells the xcode-select command to print the path of the currently selected developer directory.

Example output: The command will print the path of the currently selected developer directory. For example, /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer.

Use case 5: Discard any user-specified developer directory

Code:

sudo xcode-select --reset

Motivation: If you have previously specified a developer directory using xcode-select, this use case allows you to discard that specified directory and revert to the default search mechanism for finding the developer directory.

Explanation: The --reset argument tells the xcode-select command to discard any user-specified developer directory.

Example output: This command doesn’t produce any output, but it resets the developer directory to be found via the default search mechanism.

Conclusion:

The xcode-select command is a powerful tool for managing different versions of Xcode and the associated developer tools. It allows you to install or update Xcode’s command-line tools, switch between different installations or instances of Xcode, print the currently selected developer directory, and reset any user-specified developer directory. This command is essential for developers who work with Xcode and need to manage their development environments effectively.