Install OSX Command Line Tools without using the GUI

Running xcode-select –install will trigger the standard gui interface confirming download, etc. So trying this over an ssh connection will note be possible.

StackExchange to the rescue!

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touch /tmp/.com.apple.dt.CommandLineTools.installondemand.in-progress;
PROD=$(softwareupdate -l |
grep "\*.*Command Line" |
head -n 1 | awk -F"*" '{print $2}' |
sed -e 's/^ *//' |
tr -d '\n')
softwareupdate -i "$PROD" --verbose
rm /tmp/.com.apple.dt.CommandLineTools.installondemand.in-progress