Software⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-04

How to Fix: Error to install Nokogiri on OSX 10.9 Maverick?

Nokogiri installation issue on OSX Mavericks.

Quick Answer: Try reinstalling libxml2 using Homebrew and ensure XCode 5.0.1 and Command Line Tools are installed correctly.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. 💡 Why You Are Getting This Error
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. 💡 Conclusion

The error 'Gem::Installer::ExtensionBuildError: ERROR: Failed to build gem native extension' occurs when Nokogiri is installed on OSX 10.9 Maverick and cannot be used for projects due to a lack of necessary libraries.

This error can be frustrating as it prevents the use of Nokogiri, a crucial gem for parsing HTML and XML documents in Ruby projects.

💡 Why You Are Getting This Error

  • The primary reason for this error is that the libxml2 library, which is required by Nokogiri, was not properly installed. This could be due to incorrect or incomplete installation of Homebrew.
  • An alternative cause could be a missing dependency in XCode 5.0.1, specifically the Command Line Tools, which are necessary for building native extensions.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Installing libxml2 using Homebrew and updating XCode

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Update XCode by running `xcode-select --install` in the terminal.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Install libxml2 using Homebrew by running `brew install libxml2` in the terminal.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Verify that libxml2 is installed correctly by checking its version using `brew list libxml2`.

Installing XCode with Command Line Tools and updating Ruby

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Install XCode 5.0.1 from the official Apple website.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Run `xcode-select --install` in the terminal to install the Command Line Tools.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Update Ruby using `rvm install ruby-2.4.0` (or a compatible version) and then run `gem install nokogiri`.

💡 Conclusion

After following these steps, you should be able to successfully install Nokogiri on OSX 10.9 Maverick. If you continue to experience issues, ensure that all dependencies are up-to-date and try reinstalling Nokogiri using `gem install nokogiri --platform=x86_64-darwin`. If the issue persists, consider seeking further assistance from Ruby or gem developers.

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