Node.js is a JavaScript runtime which makes it possible to run JavaScript outside of the browser. Since you are going to use JavaScript for your React development on MacOS, there is no way around Node.js and NPM. You will find more about it in my personal MacOS web development setup from above. If you want to get started in a more professional way, check out Homebrew, install it, and try to install all applications below with it. Homebrew is a package manager for MacOS applications that is widely used by developers. Note: Everything below (Node/NPM via NVM, VS Code, Git) can be installed via Homebrew too. Nevertheless, if you just want to find a way for getting started with React on Mac OS quickly, follow the instructions below. However, if you like to compose your development environment with lightweight tools rather than with an full-blown IDE, checkout my personal MacOS web development setup.

That's how you can focus on your task at hand as a developer.

It follows the philosophy of having one IDE to manage most of your web development tasks.

In this article, you will find a step by step guide on how to install React on MacOS.

Create react app commands