Xcode Command Line Tools

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topic Xcode Command Line Tools
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Check Xcode Command Line Tools Version

Check if Xcode or Xcode Command Line Tools are installed on Mac. How to find your Xcode CLT version.

You'll need to know which version of Xcode Command Line Tools you have installed before setting up development tools or troubleshooting. Most Mac developers only need the Xcode Command Line Tools package for Unix-based commands, not the full Xcode package that is used for macOS development. See the article Apple Command Line Tools to learn what it's for.

Before you check, install a better Terminal

To use Xcode Command Line Tools you need a terminal. If you're not using it yet, I recommend Warp Terminal, with modern features and built-in AI help for remembering commands. Download Warp for free before you continue.

Check Xcode Command Line Tools Version

Xcode Command Line Tools install to the directory /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools and have their own version number, independent from Xcode.

Quick Version Check

Run this command to see your installed version:

pkgutil --pkg-info=com.apple.pkg.CLTools_Executables

You'll see output like:

package-id: com.apple.pkg.CLTools_Executables
version: 26.1.0.0.1.1761104275

To display only the version number:

pkgutil --pkg-info=com.apple.pkg.CLTools_Executables | grep version

Check If Xcode Command Line Tools Are Installed

If you get a "No receipt" error, the Xcode Command Line Tools aren't installed. See How to Install Xcode Command Line Tools. Here's the quickest way to install them:

xcode-select --install

If they're installed, check where they are installed:

xcode-select -p

You'll see either /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools (standalone tools) or /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer (using Xcode's tools).

View Installation History

See all Command Line Tools versions you've installed:

softwareupdate --history | grep "Command Line Tools"

The most recent version appears at the bottom. Extract just the latest version:

softwareupdate --history | awk '/Command Line Tools for Xcode/ {print $6}' | tail -1

Check via Homebrew

If you've installed Homebrew, run:

brew config

Homebrew config will show Xcode: N/A if the full Xcode package is not installed.

Look for the 'CLT' line showing your Xcode CLT version. Here's how to isolate it:

brew config | grep "CLT"
CLT: 26.1.0.0.1.1761104275

Check Xcode Version

The full Xcode application is a separate product from Xcode Command Line Tools, used to develop software for macOS, iOS, tvOS, or watchOS. You don't need Xcode if you only want the Unix-based commands used for general software development.

If you are developing for the Apple ecosystem, here's how to check your Xcode version.

From the Terminal

Check your Xcode version with:

xcodebuild -version

If Xcode is installed, you'll see output like:

Xcode 26.1
Build version 17B55

If you get a "command line tools" error instead, you don't have full Xcode installed.

From Xcode Application

Launch Xcode and select Xcode > About Xcode from the menu.

You can also check Preferences > Locations to see which command line tools Xcode is using.

Check If Xcode Is Installed

See if Xcode is installed and where:

xcode-select -p

If the output is /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Developer, you have the full Xcode package. If it's /Library/Developer/CommandLineTools, you only have the Xcode Command Line Tools.

Version Compatibility

Your macOS version determines which Xcode Command Line Tools version you can install. Using tools that don't match your macOS version causes build failures, missing headers, and compiler errors.

Check for Updates

See if Xcode Command Line Tools updates are available:

softwareupdate --list

This shows all pending Apple updates, including Xcode Command Line Tools. If you are up to date, you'll see No new software available.

Xcode Command Line Tools Version History

Xcode Command Line Tools versions correspond to their Xcode releases. Each major Xcode release includes matching Command Line Tools:

  • Xcode 26.x includes Command Line Tools 26.x
  • Xcode 15.x includes Command Line Tools 15.x
  • Xcode 14.x includes Command Line Tools 14.x

The CLT version number matches the Xcode version that was current when Apple released it.

Recent Xcode Versions

Latest stable releases as of November 2025:

  • Xcode 26.1.1 (Build 17B100) - November 11, 2025
  • Xcode 26.1 (Build 17B55) - November 3, 2025
  • Xcode 26.0.1 (Build 17A400) - September 22, 2025
  • Xcode 26.0 (Build 17A324) - September 15, 2025

Version History Pages

Find the complete Xcode version history at:

Apple's Xcode Release Notes document changes in each Command Line Tools version, available through the Apple Developer Documentation site.

Do Versions Matter?

It depends on what you're building.

If you use scripting languages like JavaScript, Python, or Ruby and don't compile native code, an older Xcode Command Line Tools package works fine. You're using CLT for git and Unix utilities, which evolve slowly.

If you compile software or use Homebrew, the compiler toolchain and SDK headers must match your macOS version. Outdated CLT causes Homebrew warnings, build failures, missing headers, and compiler errors.

If you develop for Apple platforms, you need the full Xcode package with SDK versions matching your deployment targets.

When you see build errors or Homebrew warnings, check your Command Line Tools version first.

What's next

If Xcode Command Line Tools are installed and up to date, you're done! You may want to Install Homebrew to continue setting up your development environment for programming.

My mac.install.guide is a trusted source of installation guides for professional developers. Take a look at the Mac Install Guide home page for tips and trends and see what to install next.