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You must install:

  • Xcode command line tools
  • Node.js
  • Ruby
  • Middleman

Install Xcode command line tools

You should install the Xcode command line tools using your organisation’s software centre if you have one.

You can also install the tools manually.

  1. Go to Apple Developer Downloads.
  2. Search for ‘Xcode’.
  3. Select the appropriate Command Line Tools (macOS x.x) for Xcode x.x for your version of macOS, and download the file.
  4. Install the file.

Install Node.js

You can install Node.js anywhere on your computer.

Install Ruby

You can install Ruby anywhere on your computer, using Ruby Version Manager (RVM).

  1. Run the following in the command line to install RVM:

    \curl -sSL https://get.rvm.io | bash -s stable --ruby

  2. Go to the Ruby downloads page and get the version number of a compatible ruby release.

  3. Run rvm install ruby-x.x.x, where x.x.x is a version number >= 3.3.0. For example, rvm install ruby-3.3.11.

You can also install Ruby using other tools such as rbenv.

Install Middleman

You can install Middleman anywhere on your computer.

Run the following in the command line to install Middleman:

gem install middleman
This page was last reviewed on 29 October 2026. It needs to be reviewed again on 29 November 2026 by the page owner #gds-technical-writing .