xcode-select: error: tool 'xcodebuild' requires Xcode, but active developer directory '/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools' is a command line tools instance #569

davis · 2015-01-28T02:32:53Z

EDITED FOR PEOPLE JUST GETTING HERE

See #569 (comment) and #569 (comment), the warning can just be ignored. Command Line Tools works fine, you do not need the full Xcode.

See https://github.com/nodejs/node-gyp/blob/master/macOS_Catalina.md, here and here for more info.

Fix:

xcode-select --install # Install Command Line Tools if you haven't already.
sudo xcode-select --switch /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools # Enable command line tools

then just ignore the warning.

Alternatively if you want you can use the full Xcode.app (if you have it installed) with:

# Change the path if you installed Xcode somewhere else.
sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer

If your install is failing

There will be other errors nearer the end, almost certainly issues with the module you're trying to install or a dependency. Please report the error to that project.

If that doesn't work

Are you seeing this when you run node-gyp rebuild or npm install? If not then it's nothing to do with node-gyp, raise a bug with the project you're using.

The text was updated successfully, but these errors were encountered:

alejandroiglesias · 2015-04-09T23:42:53Z

I'm looking for the same answer.

davis · 2015-04-13T19:37:55Z

@alejandroiglesias, try this: download Xcode from the app store, open it and accept the license/terms agreement, and try whatever you were doing again.

EDIT(gibfahn): Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

jfmercer · 2015-04-21T19:47:29Z

This fixed it for me:

Install Xcode
Run sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer

See this explanation on SO.

EDIT(gibfahn): Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

nitinnain · 2015-05-21T13:54:54Z

Same answer as @jfmercer . But if you installed XCode beta, use this command instead:
sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode-Beta.app/Contents/Developer

HectorLS · 2015-09-01T15:37:30Z

@nitinnain if i use your command i get
xcode-select: error: invalid developer directory '/Applications/Xcode-Beta.app/Contents/Developer'
i have Xcode7 beta 6 :S

dbranchini · 2015-09-15T13:20:27Z

@tibicenas @nitinnain - same here:
xcode-select: error: invalid developer directory '/Applications/Xcode-Beta.app/Contents/Developer'

davis · 2015-09-15T23:09:34Z

@tibicenas @dbranchini did either of you try my suggestion?

HectorLS · 2015-09-17T07:31:46Z

@davis finally i uninstalled Xcode and re-install and then doing the xcode-select -switch works.. anyway its a weird issue that should be fixed in the next patch

rachellji · 2015-10-05T18:16:16Z

@davis I tried your suggestion, it worked. thanks!

wmertens · 2015-11-12T09:54:54Z

Is there no way to not use xcodebuild? I don't want to waste 6GB of disk on pointless crap

EDIT(gibfahn): Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

micky2be · 2015-12-02T09:37:43Z

Agreed with @wmertens

bnoordhuis · 2015-12-02T11:25:55Z

You can maybe circumvent the xcode-specific logic by passing -DOS=mac -f make-linux to node-gyp (check the source) but it's not supported. I'll close the issue.

EDIT(gibfahn): Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

firewoof · 2016-01-09T10:39:08Z

But if you installed XCode beta, use this command instead:
sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode-Beta.app/Contents/Developer
hah, it's worked!

EDIT(gibfahn): Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

turibbio · 2016-01-27T23:34:35Z

XCode2:
sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode\ 2.app/Contents/Developer

Pay attention to the "" to escape the space

EDIT(gibfahn): Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

jesstomo12 · 2016-02-10T08:21:36Z

im having this problem what is the password when you do sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer

davis · 2016-02-10T18:58:08Z

@jesstomo12 your sudo password

dharmanibc · 2016-03-14T06:47:39Z

I have the same error: "xcode-select: error: invalid developer directory '/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer'"
I also tried: 1. Install Xcode
2. Run sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer
or Run sudo xcode-select -switch /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer
Nothing works. How I know which version of Xcode is loaded?

bnoordhuis · 2016-03-14T11:25:44Z

@dharmanibc xcode-select -print-path

dharmanibc · 2016-03-14T12:45:53Z

Thanks! The problem is solved now. Actually, this was an map-error on OS X 10.10, as somehow it checks for some module to be available for 10.11 and which is not available for 10.10. So, simply, I ignored the error msg. The fink seems properly installed. Thanks again!

jalghizzi · 2016-03-29T02:41:43Z

EDIT(gibfahn): Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

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

Solution:

Install Xcode (get it from https://developer.apple.com/xcode/) if you don't have it yet,

Point xcode-select to the Xcode Developer directory using the following command:

sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer

Note: Make sure your Xcode app directory is the same as in the address above; most notably, it'll be probably /Applications/Xcode-Beta.app/Contents/Developeror /Applications/Xcode-beta.app/Contents/Developer if you installed beta XCode release instead.

The Source: http://stackoverflow.com/questions/17980759/xcode-select-active-developer-directory-error/17980786#17980786

zhanglun · 2016-06-18T05:41:53Z

I do not want install xcode, it's stupid. How can i do

EDIT(gibfahn): Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

tianshuo · 2016-06-22T13:11:08Z

Why should this force an installation of the overbloated xcode instead of xcode command line tools?

EDIT(gibfahn): Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

rvagg · 2016-06-22T13:37:33Z

I don't think we have any control over the message this prints, it comes out of OSX.

The best resource I've seen on this whole mess is actually from a rails documentation project: http://railsapps.github.io/xcode-command-line-tools.html, it's pretty complete and we'd do well to either link to it or borrow large chunks of it for our own documentation.

EDIT(gibfahn): Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

sw00 · 2016-07-08T09:23:06Z

So, I just want to confirm this.

node-gyp has a hard dependency on XCode (the entire IDE) that cannot be fulfilled by CommandLineTools?

EDIT(gibfahn): No, Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

tianshuo · 2016-07-08T09:35:24Z

Yeah, that's whats really strange

rvagg · 2016-07-08T10:28:19Z

no, this is not correct, the commandline tools should be just fine, it's just a matter of wiring up xcode-select to use them by default I think, some kind of OSX magic I don't know off the top of my head

EDIT(gibfahn): Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

carmelocolon · 2016-07-08T15:11:42Z

It Worked! You guys rock. Thanks!

sudo xcode-select -s /Applications/Xcode-Beta.app/Contents/Developer

EDIT(gibfahn): Command line tools is fine, you don't need the full Xcode. Just ignore the warning. See here and here for more info.

isomorphisms · 2020-01-24T19:43:13Z

@davis @gibfahn @bergerjac Thank you so much!

khanhtc1202 · 2020-01-31T12:12:51Z

OS: version 10.14.5 (18F132)
xcode-select: version 2354
Remove and reinstall xcode-select did not resolve this problem on my machine 😭
I installed the latest version of npm too, who else got the same problem with me?

wilpat · 2020-02-04T09:43:05Z

@tibicenas @nitinnain - same here:
xcode-select: error: invalid developer directory '/Applications/Xcode-Beta.app/Contents/Developer'

Changing Xcode-Beta.app to Xcode.app in the path should remove this error.

mvirbicianskas · 2020-02-04T12:47:08Z

for anyone who were not able to resolve by reinstalling the xcode-select, you might want to check node version, I know for sure, that with v9 didn't work for me, had to downgrade to v8, didn't try to bump it up to v10 or v12 though. After changing node version just reinstall again and should be good ✌️

vuepress 1.3.0 webpack-dev-middleware 削除 node-gyp buildエラー解消 nodejs/node-gyp#569 (comment)

flekschas · 2020-02-25T21:55:55Z

Same experience: v8 works while v12 did not.

ama21n · 2020-02-27T02:48:26Z

This is INCORRECT. I am running the latest MacOS Catalina, and the full XCode is required:
$ xcodebuild
xcode-select: error: tool 'xcodebuild' requires Xcode, but active developer directory '/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools' is a command line tools instance

What is the bloody point of having command line tools that require the full blown near 10GB GUI??

mdezc · 2020-03-12T03:01:38Z

used nvm to install and switch to node version 8.9.3
installed xcode: xcode-select --install
accepted the xcode license sudo xcodebuild -license space space space.. agree
updated npm to latest npm install -g npm@latest
finally both node-gyp rebuild and npm install worked fine 😅

clarkttfu · 2020-03-25T11:02:08Z

I just reinstall xcode-select by running
sudo rm -rf /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools
xcode-select --install
Solved the gyp issue for me

Just upgraded MacOS today, together with an xcode update. I guess somehow that upgrade broke xcode command line tools..

markanthonyuy · 2020-03-28T05:02:29Z

I'm using the latest MAC OS Catalina v10.15.4 and none of the solutions above worked. For me, I have to download Xcode from the appstore and switch to appropriate node version my site is using and npm install worked!

appbears · 2020-03-30T07:35:50Z

I know it looks like silly answer but you may run once XCode app after install by clicking on it (not on terminal).

iaremarkus · 2020-04-01T11:53:28Z

I think xcode-select --install attaches itself to the node version you have installed at the time. So if you're using nvm, asdf or similar, the install process will be linked to the current Node version, and will break if you switch to another version.

u17zl · 2020-04-06T16:05:39Z

I just reinstall xcode-select by running
sudo rm -rf /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools
xcode-select --install
Solved the gyp issue for me

It worked on 10.15.4 installing nvm install 8.4.2
Cheers!

cclauss · 2020-04-06T16:22:17Z

nvm install 8.4.2 is installing a version of Node.js that is no longer supported
https://nodejs.org/en/about/releases

aakashsingh90 · 2020-04-14T04:29:21Z

I know which version of Xcode is loa

Version 11.4 (11E146)
Getting the same error

brayhoward · 2020-04-20T16:54:37Z

This stack overflow answer pointed me in the right direction. Hope it helps

https://stackoverflow.com/a/17980786

mrichman · 2020-04-24T11:16:14Z

Uninstall the CLT:

sudo rm -rf /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools
xcode-select --install

This will reinstall:

RuichenANCC · 2020-04-27T00:47:56Z

Thanks for that! Finally compiling on my computer!

lpcheniris · 2020-04-28T06:25:30Z

The issue was solved after updating npm:

npm install -g npm@latest

Biiiiiig thanks !!!

I have solved this problem by upgrading npm from 3.x to 6.x (before I grab all of my hair.)

But one thing weired, I have no Xcode.app directory under /Applications. (just command line tools installed. )

BTW, my system version is macOS Catalina 10.15.4.

Thanks agin.

@msjaber

cclauss · 2020-04-28T06:44:25Z

It is not essential to have the XCode App as discussed in solutions 2. and 3.

jsbisht · 2020-05-15T05:22:43Z

I switched from nvm use 8 to nvm use 13. It fixed for me. No xcode related fix was required.

robzor · 2020-06-12T17:40:13Z

Uninstall the CLT:
sudo rm -rf /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools
xcode-select --install
This will reinstall:

This one worked for me on a brand new install of Catalina

leocaseiro · 2020-06-24T04:17:20Z

Tried to do what @robzor did, but I couldn't reinstall via xcode-select --install

Can't install the software because it is not currently available from the software update server

If you have issues with that, try downloading the installer for Command Line Tools for Xcode from:
https://developer.apple.com/download/more/

Fishrock123 added the macOS label Aug 22, 2015

bnoordhuis closed this as completed Dec 2, 2015

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Closed

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xcode-select: error: tool 'xcodebuild' requires Xcode, but active developer directory '/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools' is a command line tools instance #569

xcode-select: error: tool 'xcodebuild' requires Xcode, but active developer directory '/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools' is a command line tools instance #569

Comments

davis commented Jan 28, 2015 • edited by cclauss Loading

EDITED FOR PEOPLE JUST GETTING HERE

Fix:

If your install is failing

If that doesn't work

alejandroiglesias commented Apr 9, 2015

davis commented Apr 13, 2015 • edited by gibfahn Loading

jfmercer commented Apr 21, 2015 • edited by gibfahn Loading

nitinnain commented May 21, 2015

HectorLS commented Sep 1, 2015

dbranchini commented Sep 15, 2015

davis commented Sep 15, 2015

HectorLS commented Sep 17, 2015

rachellji commented Oct 5, 2015

wmertens commented Nov 12, 2015 • edited by gibfahn Loading

micky2be commented Dec 2, 2015

bnoordhuis commented Dec 2, 2015 • edited by gibfahn Loading

firewoof commented Jan 9, 2016 • edited by gibfahn Loading

turibbio commented Jan 27, 2016 • edited by gibfahn Loading

jesstomo12 commented Feb 10, 2016

davis commented Feb 10, 2016

dharmanibc commented Mar 14, 2016

bnoordhuis commented Mar 14, 2016

dharmanibc commented Mar 14, 2016

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zhanglun commented Jun 18, 2016 • edited by gibfahn Loading

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mdezc commented Mar 12, 2020

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