Mac Installation

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< Installation | TeX Distributions >

Introduction

For getting ConTeXt onto a Mac there are basically two routes to take. MacTeX (TeXLive distribution made especially for Mac OSX) and the ConTeXt Suite (Standalone), recommended for all those that want the most current versions or latest developments in ConTeXt.

Naturally, there are other ways, but they are more for experienced Mac users and those comfortable with using the command line.

* The simplest method is to use MacTeX, but as TeXLive you will not have the most recent binaries (generally frozen for a year).
 The advantage is that you get TeX et al, fonts and some nice utilities, including the editor TeXShop (highly recommended) which
 can run ConTeXt and TeX-Variants from within the editor without any knowledge of the command line.

* ConTeXt Suite (Standalone) is recommended for those that wish to have the latest stable version, latest developmental version,
 or wish to run several versions of ConTeXt side by side. The downside to the side by side approach is that you need some  
 knowledge of how to use the command line and how to set-up the paths in a Unix environment. 
 Well, actually not that much if you use an editor or IDE, like TeXShop and TeXWorks.

* For the best possible experience and ease of installation a combination of MacTeX and ConTeXt Suite is advised. 

MacTeX

The easiest way to install ConTeXt on Mac OSX is to use the the MacTeX distribution. MacTeX is a TeXLive distribution modified especially for use on Mac OSX. It will install every thing you need to run ConTeXt, TeX, LaTeX, Xe(La)TeX, along with the editors TeXShop and TeXWorks, the TeX Live Utility for managing updates, fonts and many other goodies.

As MacTeX is a TeXLive distribution all binaries are generally frozen for a year. If you wish to have a more current version or the latest beta version of ConTeXt you should consider, also installing the "ConTeXt Suite" often called "Standalone ConTeXt".

After installing MacTeX all you need to do is set up TeXShop to use ConTeXt, see below the section on TeXShop.

Installing MacTeX

  • You can also buy a TeXLive DVD (if you are a member of a TeX user group you often get it for free).


Standalone ConTeXt

The "ConTeXt Suite" distribution is the recommended way to use ConTeXt on any OS. If you wish to use "ConTeXt Suite" from the command line you can use the Mac tutorial in the Mac section under ConTeXt Suite or

Use the tutorial below that is more Mac OSX centric.  We do use the command line program Terminal of Mac OSX as it poses
the easiest way to get things done. But, do not worry as the process is straight foreword and you can just copy and paste
the commands into the Terminal! 

Using the Commandline

If you do not what a command tool is, do not worry. It is simple a program in which commands are entered as text and then executed. Mac OS comes with two tools for entering command lines the Terminal and a X11 environment X11 or Xquartz, depending on which Mac OSX version you are running. These programs can be found in the Utilities-folder of the Applications-Folder.

Once you have started one of the programs, all you have to do is enter a command and press the RETURN-key and the command will be executed.

Single user installation

As "ConTeXt Suite" is self contained it is best and should be installed inside of a folder of its own. so decide where you want it to be installed. We recommend that you put it a folder called context inside your HOME folder.

This tutorial will install ConTeXt MKIV with all modules, for other options or versions see the section below Alterantive ConTeXt Versions.

In the Terminal after each command you have to press the RETURN-key.

  • Start the Terminal you will find it in the Utilities-folder in the Applications-folder.
  • Create the folder/directory context in your HOME folder:
mkdir $HOME/context

Do not worry if nothing seems to happens. Your directory(UniX jargon for folder) has been created.

  • Switch to the directory
cd $HOME/context
  • Download the installation script first-setup.sh
rsync -av rsync://contextgarden.net/minimals/setup/first-setup.sh .
  • download the latest developmental ConTeXt MKIV distribution and make formats:
 sh ./first-setup.sh --modules=all --engine=luatex

This takes a long time, so go have a coffee. You will see a lot messages which you can disregard.

When the installation process is finished you will see a message telling you that you have to initialize ConTeXt each time you want to run ConTeXt or to add the path to your PATH-variable of your shell. You can ignore this message if you are going to use TeXShop. Setting-up TeXShop is described below..

For easier your connivance you can copy all the commands in this block, paste it into the Terminal and hit RETURN:

mkdir $HOME/context
cd $HOME/context
rsync -av rsync://contextgarden.net/minimals/setup/first-setup.sh .
sh ./first-setup.sh --modules=all --engine=luatex

Alternative ConTeXt Versions

By default, the suite installs ConTeXt beta.

  • If you want the stable version of ConTeXt, you can use
sh ./first-setup.sh --context=current --engine=luatex

By default, the suite does not install modules and other third party content.

  • If you want the modules, you can use
sh ./first-setup.sh --modules=all --engine=luatex
  • If you want to have MKII the do not use the engine option
sh ./first-setup.sh --modules=all --engine=luatex

Multiple ConTeXt Versions

You can install different versions of ConTeXt next to each other. All you need to do is create a new directory for this version and follow the instructions above using the name of the directory instead of the name context. BEWARE: If you use the command line you have to set up the paths for your shell. If you use TeXShop you have to set-up engines for TeXShop for each version, this process is describe below in the section Creating and Installing a TeXShop Engine

Keeping ConTeXt Up-To-Date

ConTeXt is constantly being improved and expanded if you want to have the latest version of ConTeXt you will need to regularly update your installation. This has to be done from within the Terminal.

Start the Terminal and switch to the folder where ConTeXt was installed:

cd $HOME/context

Download the installation script:

rsync -ptv rsync://contextgarden.net/minimals/setup/first-setup.sh .

Install the latest version:

sh ./first-setup.sh --modules=all --engine=luatex

If you are using a different version then use the use the appropriate options for first-setup.sh!!

System-wide installation

A system wide installation is only recommended for experienced users. You will need administrator rights on the Mac as only administrators are allowed to install programs in the Applications folder.

Start the Terminal you will find it in the Utility-folder in the Applications-folder.

Switch to the Application folder:

cd /Applications

Create the folder for ConTeXt

mkdir context
 

Switch to the "ConTeXt" folder

cd context

Download the installation script

rsync -av rsync://contextgarden.net/minimals/setup/first-setup.sh .

Then run that script to download the whole distribution and make formats:

sudo sh ./first-setup.sh

You will be prompted for you password. Enter your login password and hit return.

This takes a long time, so go have a coffee.

When the installation process is finished you will see a message telling you that you have to initialize ConTeXt each time you want to run ConTeXt or to add the path to your PATH-variable of your shell. You can ignore this message if you are going to use TeXShop. Setting-up TeXShop is described below..

By default only the beta version is installed, If you want a more stable version or third party content then look at the section Alterantive ConTeXt Versions above. All you need to do is add the option to the installation command in this section.


Configuring ConTeXt-Aware Editors on the Mac

Typically, most editors work out of the box with MacTeX, but if you are using a version earlier than those shipped with MacTeX 2011 (TeXShop 2.42), or if you would like to use the Standalone distribution (ConTeXt Suite), you need to configure engines for ConTeXt manually.

Skim (PDF viewer)

Unless you are using TeXshop or TeXworks with built-in viewers, the recommended PDF viewer with SyncTeX support and auto-refresh on Mac OS X is Skim.

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