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CMake

Family of tools to build, test and package software

For Mac
Official website
Free
CategorySystem Utilities
PlatformmacOS
InstallationHomebrew
Version4.4.0Catalog version

What is CMake?

Family of tools to build, test and package software

Install with Homebrew

brew install --cask cmake-app
Official Website

How to Install CMake on Mac

Follow these steps to install CMake using Homebrew, the most popular package manager for macOS. This works on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) and Intel Macs.

  1. 1

    Open Terminal

    Launch Terminal from your Applications > Utilities folder, or press Cmd + Space and type "Terminal".

  2. 2

    Install Homebrew

    If you don't have Homebrew yet, paste the install script from brew.sh into Terminal and follow the prompts.

  3. 3

    Run brew install --cask cmake-app

    Paste the following command into Terminal and press Enter:

    brew install --cask cmake-app
  4. 4

    Verify Installation

    Run `brew list` to confirm cmake-app is installed, then try `cmake-app --version` to check the version number.

  5. 5

    Launch CMake

    Run `cmake-app` in your Terminal to start using it.

Troubleshooting

  • • If you see a permission error, try prefixing the command with sudo.
  • • If Homebrew can't find the package, run brew update first to refresh the package list.
  • • On Apple Silicon Macs, make sure Homebrew is installed at /opt/homebrew (the default for M-series chips).

Key Features

Easy installation via Homebrew

Regular updates and maintenance

Free to use

Professional support available

Pros

  • Simple one-command installation
  • Well-maintained and regularly updated
  • Completely free to use

Cons

  • Requires Homebrew to be installed
  • macOS only

Frequently Asked Questions about CMake

How do I install CMake on Mac?
Open Terminal, install Homebrew if you haven't already (visit brew.sh), then run brew install --cask cmake-app. The app will be downloaded and installed automatically. You can then run cmake-app from Terminal.
Is CMake free?
Yes, CMake is completely free to use.
How do I uninstall CMake?
Open Terminal and run brew uninstall --cask cmake-app. Homebrew will remove CMake and all associated files cleanly. You can verify it was removed by running brew list.
What are alternatives to CMake?
There are several system utilities apps available for macOS. Browse the System Utilities category on Bundl.run to compare features, popularity, and install counts for similar tools.
How do I update CMake to the latest version?
Run brew upgrade --cask cmake-app in Terminal to update to the latest version. You can also run brew outdated to check if an update is available.
Does CMake work on Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4)?
Yes, CMake can be installed on both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs via Homebrew. Homebrew automatically handles the correct version for your hardware.

About the Author

Jordan Kim

Productivity & Workflow Analyst

Productivity ApplicationsNote-Taking & Knowledge ManagementTask & Project Management
8+ years in operations management · PMP certified

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