How to Install R on Mac - Complete Setup Guide

Setting up R and RStudio on macOS can be straightforward when you know the right steps. I've created a comprehensive guide that walks through the entire installation process, from prerequisites to advanced configuration options.

This guide covers everything you need to know: installing Xcode command line tools, setting up XQuartz for X11 support, downloading the GNU Fortran compiler, and properly configuring both R and RStudio for optimal performance on Mac systems.

Whether you're a data scientist just starting out or an experienced analyst setting up a new machine, this guide provides detailed instructions for both Apple Silicon and Intel Macs. I've also included useful shell configurations and RStudio customization tips that will streamline your R workflow.

The guide includes optional but highly recommended configurations such as setting up convenient terminal aliases, configuring vim keybindings in RStudio, and enabling automatic code formatting. These tweaks can significantly improve your productivity when working with R.

Having worked extensively with R across different projects, I know how important it is to have a properly configured development environment. This installation guide ensures you'll have everything set up correctly from the start, saving you time and potential headaches down the road.

Check out the complete installation guide below, or download the PDF here. If you have any questions about the installation process or need help with specific configuration issues, feel free to reach out!