First things

Set up a package manager

The one tool you use to install everything else. Do this first.

Tested on macOS 26 Tahoe · Oct 2026
Tested on Ubuntu 24.04 · Oct 2026
Tested on Windows 11 24H2 · Oct 2026
  1. Install Homebrew
    Terminal
    /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

    It asks for your Mac password once. Typing won't show on screen; that's normal.

  2. Add brew to your PATH
    Terminal
    echo 'eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.zprofile
eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"

    Apple silicon Macs (M1 and later). Intel Macs can skip this step.

Check it worked

  1. Check brew works
    Terminal
    brew doctor

    You should see "Your system is ready to brew."

Undo it
  1. Remove Homebrew
    Terminal
    /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/uninstall.sh)"
  1. Refresh the package list and update everythingNeeds sudo
    Terminal · Ubuntu / Debian
    sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
  2. Install the basics most tools expectNeeds sudo
    Terminal · Ubuntu / Debian
    sudo apt install -y build-essential curl wget git unzip

    apt comes with Ubuntu and Debian, so there's nothing else to install.

Check it worked

  1. Check apt works
    Terminal · Ubuntu / Debian
    apt --version
  1. Check winget is there
    PowerShell
    winget --version

    winget comes with Windows 11. If this prints a version, skip the next step.

  2. Get winget from the Microsoft Store (only if the check failed)
    PowerShell
    Start-Process "ms-windows-store://pdp/?productid=9NBLGGH4NNS1"

    Install "App Installer", then open a new PowerShell window.

  3. Update everything already installed
    PowerShell
    winget upgrade --all --accept-source-agreements --accept-package-agreements

Check it worked

  1. Search for a package
    PowerShell
    winget search git