Qt on OS X with just command line tools?

AlexDenisov · wrote on 18 Dec 2013, 08:46

IMO, it depends on your goals.
If you just want to create OSX app, then you even don't command line tools at all, but if you want to compile your app for iOS platform (doesn't matter device, or a simulator), then you need Xcode.
Actually, xcodebuild is a bit more, than just build tool, because it provides abilities to archive app, export .ipa, .pkg or .app, etc.

divide · wrote on 18 Dec 2013, 08:50

In my case I just need to create OSX app, but how can I have Qt Creator work without installing XCode ? If I just install Qt 5.2 SDK, and open any example from the SDK, the project is not parsed and I have to message I quoted above (Project ERROR: Xcode not set up properly. You may need to confirm the license agreement by running /usr/bin/xcodebuild).

This work if I install XCode before, but my goal is to avoid installing the huge XCode package. I thought just installing the command line tools would be fine, but it's not. Any idea ?

AlexDenisov · wrote on 18 Dec 2013, 08:53

Seems I was wrong. I've never had installed Qt without Xcode, so just ignore my previous message, and take my apologies for this mistake :)

SGaist · wrote on 18 Dec 2013, 20:58

Try xcodebuild -license

sn34ks · wrote on 12 Oct 2015, 16:23

SGaist - I just wanted to say Thank you - I've spent the past 24 hours trying to figure out this issue and xcodebuild -license totally solved it. Much Appreciated!

SGaist · wrote on 12 Oct 2015, 21:34

Hi and welcome to devnet,

You're welcome ! You can even up-vote the answer, that way other people facing the same issue you had will be able to find it more easily :)

paulqi · wrote on 29 Oct 2015, 16:49

Hi @SGaist

I tried xcodebuild -license, but it still complains:
xcode-select: error: tool 'xcodebuild' requires Xcode, but active developer directory '/Library/Developer/CommandLineTools' is a command line tools instance

Could you please give some comments?

SGaist · wrote on 29 Oct 2015, 20:34

Hi and welcome to devnet,

Did you install Xcode ? If so, which version ?

paulqi · wrote on 29 Oct 2015, 21:05

I didn't install Xcode.

SGaist · wrote on 29 Oct 2015, 21:11

That's the first thing to do when developing on OS X

Phrogz · wrote on 30 Apr 2016, 05:10

I, too, would like to be able to compile OS X desktop apps without downloading and installing 4.7GB of Xcode.

Further, Qt Creator online installer claims that Xcode 5.0 is required, but developer.apple.com points to download via the App Store, which only offers the latest version (7.3) for download.

SGaist · 5 May 2016, 09:26

Where did you saw that requirement ? IIRC That's the minimum version, you can go ahead and get the Xcode matching your version of OS X.

One thing you can try is to install the command line tools. See this page

Martii · 5 May 2016, 09:38

@SGaist

Where did you saw that requirement ?

It's right on the install of Qt 5.6. I installed Xcode first since I figured that it was needed to interface with OS X itself. That was a lengthy download too.

@Phrogz

Further, Qt Creator online installer claims that Xcode 5.0 is required, but developer.apple.com points to download via the App Store, which only offers the latest version (7.3) for download.

7.3.1 (7D1014) to be exact today.

@SGaist

One thing you can try is to install the command line tools.

Trying... and the link for it is currently here rather than digging into a document that has too much information on it beyond the scope of Qt 5.6 and OS X 10.11 El Capitan with Xcode 7.3.1.

Thanks and I'll probably be back if I can't resolve this exact same issue with Qt and OS X. I am a developer, however under Linux mostly and haven't worked on a Mac in a loooooooooong time... but I've been around for several decades. Hopefully can get qmake visible in the path too... Qt 5.6 install wasn't very agreeable in setting that for me. One step at a time. :)

Martii · wrote on 5 May 2016, 09:37

@SGaist

That didn't seem to work either. The Command Line Tools (OS X 10.11) for Xcode 7.3.1 is installed now.

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

I'll also have to dig for adding to the environment path as qmake still isn't anywhere to be found automatically.

SGaist · 11 May 2016, 10:01

There's nothing much to dig: you have to update your PATH environment variable and add the folder where qmake is if you really want it. However I'd recommend using the full path when calling qmake so you ensure you are always using the version you actually want to use.

Note that the Qt Installer will not do that for you because it's goal is not to modify your system but allow you to have several Qt versions available for development at the same time (e.g. Desktop Qt, Android Qt and iOS Qt)

Martii · 5 Nov 2016, 10:04

@SGaist

you have to update your PATH environment variable and add the folder where qmake is if you really want it.

Sort of correct... have to make the PATH first as Macintosh is a blank slate when it comes to bash.

There's nothing much to dig

Quite a bit to "dig". Getting a pleasant terminal on the Mac was a high priority from the very, very, very, very, ∞ bland black on white text.

Anyhow... back on topic... any news when this might be fixed with the licensing issue or shall I try to debug installation order?

I wasn't paying strict attention when Qt was being installed but I believe it asked to have Command Line Tools installed during the setup... so if I obliterate Qt altogether and redo it it might actually pick this up.

However I'd recommend using the full path when calling qmake so you ensure you are always using the version you actually want to use.

Unlikely that I will continue to develop on the Mac other than this one application just for a quick test. Linux will always be my primary systems and the Mac is just a novelty for others sake. So one default, preferably stable, path will be just fine to the target Qt version that will be mainly used. Having someone type in the full path is not exactly the most sound advice... but thanks for the try.

Martii · wrote on 11 May 2016, 13:37

Had to go hunting elsewhere for the solution since it's definitely not present here. :)

Detect current version PATH for Xcode with this:

$ xcode-select --print-path
/Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer

... which means where the Apple App Store downloaded it to was in the wrong place... so copy (or move) Xcode to /Applications and then qmake actually works without the nagging license.

Change it, if necessary, with:

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