setup

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Sets up a Mac for ButterCut. Installs all required dependencies (Homebrew, Ruby, Python, FFmpeg, WhisperX). Use when user says "install buttercut", "set up my mac", "get started", "first time setup", "install dependencies" or "check my installation".

barefootford By barefootford schedule Updated 6/9/2026

name: setup description: Sets up a Mac for ButterCut. Installs all required dependencies (Homebrew, Ruby, Python, FFmpeg, WhisperX). Use when user says "install buttercut", "set up my mac", "get started", "first time setup", "install dependencies" or "check my installation".

Skill: Mac Setup

Sets up a Mac for ButterCut. Two installation paths available based on user preference.

Step 1: Check Current State

Run each check below. Each command exits 0 when the dependency is present. Note which ones fail — that's what setup needs to install.

  • Xcode CLI Toolsxcode-select -p (fix: xcode-select --install)
  • Homebrewwhich brew (fix: see https://brew.sh)
  • Ruby 3.3.xruby --version | grep -q 'ruby 3\.3' (fix: install Ruby 3.3.6, see .ruby-version)
  • Bundlerwhich bundle (fix: gem install bundler)
  • Python 3.12.xpython3 --version | grep -q 'Python 3\.12' (fix: install Python 3.12.8, see .python-version)
  • FFmpegwhich ffmpeg (fix: see FFmpeg install in the setup file below — must be the homebrew-ffmpeg/ffmpeg tap build)
  • FFmpeg drawtext filterffmpeg -hide_banner -filters 2>/dev/null | grep -q ' drawtext ' (fix: the stock brew install ffmpeg formula often omits drawtext; replace it with the homebrew-ffmpeg/ffmpeg tap build — see setup file)
  • WhisperXwhich whisperx || test -x ~/.buttercut/whisperx || test -x ~/.buttercut/venv/bin/whisperx (fix: see setup steps below)
  • Gems installedbundle check (fix: bundle install in buttercut directory)

If everything passes, tell the user they're ready to go and stop.

Step 2: Ask User Preference

If dependencies are missing, use AskUserQuestion:

Question: "How would you like to install ButterCut?"
Header: "Install type"
Options:
  1. "Simple (recommended)" - "Fully automatic setup. We'll install everything for you using sensible defaults."
  2. "Advanced" - "For developers who want control. You manage Ruby/Python versions with your preferred tools."

Step 3: Run Appropriate Setup

Based on user choice:

  • Simple: Read and follow skills/setup/simple-setup.md
  • Advanced: Read and follow skills/setup/advanced-setup.md

Step 4: Verify Installation

After setup completes, re-run the checklist from Step 1 and report results to the user.

Install via CLI
npx skills add https://github.com/barefootford/buttercut --skill setup
Repository Details
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article Path SKILL.md
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