How to Install Wagtail on macOS

Wagtail is a popular content management system built on top of Django. This tutorial will guide you through the process of installing Wagtail on macOS.

Step 1: Install Python3 and pip

Before you install Wagtail, you need to have Python3 and pip installed on your computer. You can download Python3 from python.org and pip is usually installed with Python3. To check if you have Python3 and pip installed, open your terminal and type the following command:

python3 --version
pip3 --version

If both commands return version numbers, you're good to move on to the next step. If not, download and install Python3 from python.org and make sure pip is installed.

Step 2: Install Virtual Environment

To keep your Python environment clean and organized, it is recommended to use a virtual environment. To install, run the following command in your terminal:

pip3 install virtualenv

Step 3: Create a Virtual Environment

Now, let's create a virtual environment for our Wagtail project. Navigate to the directory you want to create the environment in and run the following command in your terminal:

virtualenv envname

Replace envname with the name you want to give your virtual environment. This command will create a new virtualenv folder in your current directory.

To activate the virtual environment, run the following command:

source envname/bin/activate

You should see the name of your virtual environment in your command line prompt. Your environment is now activated.

Step 4: Install Wagtail

With your virtual environment activated, let's install Wagtail. Run the following command in your terminal:

pip3 install wagtail

Step 5: Create a New Wagtail Project

Now that Wagtail is installed, let's create a new project. Run the following command in your terminal:

wagtail start projectname

Replace projectname with the name you want to give your new project. This command will create a new directory with your project name and a basic Wagtail setup.

Navigate into the directory and run the following command to start the development server:

cd projectname
python manage.py runserver

You should see a message that the development server is running. Open your web browser and navigate to http://localhost:8000 to see the Wagtail welcome page.

Congratulations! You have successfully installed Wagtail on your macOS computer. You can now start building your own websites with Wagtail.

If you want to self-host in an easy, hands free way, need an external IP address, or simply want your data in your own hands, give IPv6.rs a try!

Alternatively, for the best virtual desktop, try Shells!