Install on macOS or Linux
Install the native tools, prepare PostgreSQL, and build a local checkout.
Use this route to run Zotonic directly on your computer. Start with the checkout in Set up a local development environment. If you just want to try Zotonic, the container route supplies these dependencies for you.
1. Install the tools
macOS with Homebrew
Install Apple's command-line build tools if they are missing:
xcode-select --install
With Homebrew installed, run:
brew install erlang@28 postgresql@16 git imagemagick gettext fswatch
export PATH="$(brew --prefix erlang@28)/bin:$(brew --prefix postgresql@16)/bin:$(brew --prefix gettext)/bin:$PATH"
brew services start postgresql@16
The versioned Erlang and PostgreSQL packages need the PATH line above. Add that line to your shell startup file to keep it in new terminals. These package names are documented by Homebrew for OTP 28 and PostgreSQL 16.
Ubuntu or Debian
Install the system tools and start PostgreSQL:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install build-essential git postgresql postgresql-client imagemagick gettext inotify-tools libseccomp-dev
sudo systemctl start postgresql
Install Erlang/OTP 28 using an OTP 28 installation option. Distribution packages differ: do not assume apt-get install erlang selects OTP 28. If you do not already have a suitable Erlang package or version manager, the Nix shell or container route avoids that extra setup.
2. Check the tools
erl -noshell -eval 'io:format("~s~n", [erlang:system_info(otp_release)]), halt().'
psql --version
git --version
make --version
The Erlang check should print 28. make should be GNU Make. Use a supported PostgreSQL release; this walkthrough uses PostgreSQL 16. If a command is missing, fix the installation or shell path before continuing. See Installation requirements for optional media tools.
3. Prepare the database
Follow Prepare local PostgreSQL. It creates the development role and database and checks a connection using the same host and credentials Zotonic will use.
4. Build and start
Return to the Zotonic checkout and follow Build and start Zotonic, then Create your first site. Run these commands as your normal user, not with sudo.