macOS Environment Setup

Install Xcode (macOS)

Xcode is required before installing Homebrew, as it provides essential development tools.

1. Open the App Store, search for Xcode, and click Get to install (this can take 30+ minutes).
2. After installation, open Terminal and accept the license:

sudo xcodebuild -license accept

3. Install Command Line Tools:

xcode-select --install

Install Homebrew

Homebrew is a package manager for macOS that makes it easy to install developer tools.

1. Open the Terminal app on your Mac. You can find it in Applications/Utilities/ or by searching for it in Spotlight.
2. Copy and paste the following command into your terminal and press Enter:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

3. The script will explain what it's going to do and ask for your password. Enter your Mac's login password (you won't see the characters as you type) and press Enter.
4. The installation will take a few minutes. Once it's complete, you'll see a message in your terminal.

Install Java Development Kit (JDK)

Salesforce development tools require the Java Development Kit (JDK). Use the current LTS that Salesforce supports. As of this writing that's JDK 21, but check the Salesforce DX system requirements before installing. JDK 17 is also still widely used if your IT team pins a specific version.

1. Use Homebrew to install the JDK:

brew install openjdk@21

2. Add the JDK to your system's path:

echo 'export PATH="/opt/homebrew/opt/openjdk@21/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc

3. Apply the changes (or close and reopen your terminal):

source ~/.zshrc

4. Verify the installation:

java -version

You should see output that includes openjdk version 21.

Install Salesforce Extensions in Cursor

Before you start working with Salesforce files, install both Salesforce extension packs in Cursor:

1. Click the Extensions button at the top of Cursor. It looks like four boxes, with one box tilted to the right.

2. Search for and install:
   • Salesforce Extension Pack
   • Salesforce Extension Pack (Expanded)
3. For more details, see the Salesforce Extensions for Visual Studio Code installation guide.

Install Git

Git is the version control system everything else on this page assumes. Install it now. The full playbook lives in Git for Salesforce SEs, but here's the minimum:

brew install git
git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"
git config --global init.defaultBranch main
git --version

If you don't have a GitHub account yet, create one. You'll want it before the first time you need to share a POC.

Install Node.js and npm

Node.js is a JavaScript runtime, and npm is its package manager. Both are essential for working with Lightning Web Components.

1. Install Node.js using Homebrew:

brew install node

2. Verify the installation:

node -v
npm -v

You should see the version numbers for both Node.js and npm.

Install Salesforce CLI

The Salesforce Command Line Interface (CLI) is the primary tool for developing on the Salesforce platform.

1. Install the Salesforce CLI using npm:

npm install @salesforce/cli --global

2. Verify the installation:

sf --version

You should see the version of the Salesforce CLI printed in your terminal.

Install Agentforce DX

Agentforce DX is a plugin for the Salesforce CLI that allows you to work with AI agents.

1. First, update your Salesforce CLI to the latest version:

sf update

2. The Agentforce DX plugin will be installed automatically the first time you run an agent command. Let's trigger the installation:

sf agent --help

You will be prompted to install the plugin. Type y and press Enter to confirm.

3. Verify the plugin installation:

sf plugins

You should see @salesforce/plugin-agent listed in your installed plugins.