python - MAC NEURON-Python: Error A newer Command Line Tools release is available. Update them from Software Update in the App Store

Question

When trying to install NEURON with Python support (eg. can run python -c "import neuron"), using instructions from the Human Brain Project portal website. After:

brew install neuron

I get the following (misleading) error:

Error: A newer Command Line Tools release is available. Update them from Software Update in the App Store.

However, the App Store does not list "Command Line Tools". How do I update the "Command Line Tools"?

This led me to a rabbit hole of Google searches. I post my findings below, to help others in my situation to save some time.

Answer 1

Instead of going to the App Store, as the message suggests, update the Command Tools from terminal.

1. List all packages with softwareupdate --list in terminal. May take a minute.

2. Copy the name of the Command Line Tools package after the * (e.g. mine was * Command Line Tools (macOS Sierra version 10.12) for Xcode-8.3 )

3. Install the latest package with e.g. sudo softwareupdate --install "Command Line Tools (macOS Sierra version 10.12) for Xcode-8.3" (note the quotes). May take a while too, but you should see network activity in Activity Monitor, while the download takes place.

IMHO, the easiest way to install NEURON+Python on MacOS has been this tutorial by M. Hines. The instructions on the HBP portal led to the above error and several others later. Even that tutorial requires the Command Line Tools, so the answer above was still helpful.