Mac & Linux Setup
Configure development environment on Unix-based systems.
Unix-based systems provide native compatibility with Node.js development tools and the StarterApp stack. The setup process installs package managers, version managers, and development dependencies.
Native Compatibility
macOS and Linux distributions run Node.js tooling natively without compatibility layers. The Unix environment supports AI-assisted development workflows through standard file system operations and shell access.
macOS Setup
Homebrew Installation
Homebrew manages software packages on macOS:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"The installer displays instructions for adding Homebrew to PATH. Follow the terminal output to complete configuration. The commands typically involve adding lines to ~/.zprofile or ~/.zshrc.
Pro Tip
Restart the terminal after installation to apply PATH changes. Verify installation with brew --version.
macOS Development Tools
Install required tools through Homebrew:
Linux Setup
Installation varies by distribution. Select the appropriate commands for the system:
Installation Verification
Confirm tool installation and version compatibility:
# Git version (any recent version)
git --version
# Node.js version (should show v20.18.1)
node -v
# PNPM version (should show 9.x or higher)
pnpm -v
# fnm version
fnm --versionAll commands should return version numbers without errors. Missing commands indicate incomplete installation.
VS Code Installation
macOS Installation
Download VS Code from code.visualstudio.com ↗
Open the downloaded .dmg file and drag VS Code to the Applications folder
Launch VS Code, open the Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P), and run "Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH"
Verify installation by running code --version in a new terminal window
Linux Installation
Recommended VS Code Extensions
Install extensions for optimal StarterApp development:
Pro Tip
Launch VS Code from the project directory using code . to ensure correct workspace context and extension activation.
Common Issues
Development Workflow
Standard development session pattern:
Open terminal and navigate to the project directory:
cd ~/projects/starterappInstall dependencies if not already installed:
pnpm installStart development servers:
pnpm devLaunch VS Code:
code .Access applications in the browser:
- Marketing:
http://localhost:3000 - Dashboard:
http://localhost:3001 - Docs:
http://localhost:3100
AI Development Integration
Unix-based systems provide optimal compatibility with AI-assisted development tools. Native shell access and standard file system operations enable AI agents to read and modify codebase files without compatibility layers.
Claude Code, Cursor, Windsurf, and similar AI development tools function natively on macOS and Linux. The development environment supports AI workflows through standard Unix tooling and file system conventions.
Next Steps
After completing platform setup:
Environment Setup
Configure service credentials and environment variables for authentication and billing.
AI Onboarding
Run automated setup with AI guidance for dependency installation and first boot.
VS Code Setup
Install extensions and configure VS Code for optimal StarterApp development.