Zeal is an offline documentation browser that allows developers to access documentation for various programming languages, libraries, and frameworks without an internet connection. While Zeal is more commonly associated with Linux and Windows environments, it can also be used on macOS. This article will explain how to install and use Zeal on macOS, emphasizing its importance for developers who need quick access to documentation without relying on an internet connection.

Examples:

Installing Zeal on macOS

1. Homebrew Installation: Homebrew is a package manager for macOS that simplifies the installation of software. To install Zeal using Homebrew, follow these steps:

   Open Terminal and run the following command to install Homebrew if you haven't already:

   /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

   Once Homebrew is installed, use it to install Zeal:

   brew install zeal

2. Manual Installation: If you prefer not to use Homebrew, you can download the Zeal application directly from its GitHub releases page:

   • Visit the Zeal GitHub releases page.
   • Download the latest .dmg file for macOS.
   • Open the .dmg file and drag the Zeal application to your Applications folder.

Using Zeal on macOS

1. Launching Zeal: Open the Zeal application from your Applications folder.

2. Adding Documentation Sets:

   • Click on the "File" menu and select "Options".
   • In the Options window, go to the "Docsets" tab.
   • Click the "Download" button to open the docset download manager.
   • Browse or search for the documentation sets you need and click "Install".

3. Searching Documentation:

   • Once the docsets are installed, you can search for any term using the search bar at the top of the Zeal window.
   • Zeal will display relevant documentation entries from the installed docsets.

4. Keyboard Shortcuts:

   • Zeal supports various keyboard shortcuts to enhance productivity. For example, you can press Ctrl+K to focus on the search bar.

Integrating Zeal with IDEs

Zeal can be integrated with various Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) to provide quick access to documentation. Here’s how to integrate Zeal with Visual Studio Code (VS Code):

1. Install the Zeal extension for VS Code:

   • Open VS Code.
   • Go to the Extensions view by clicking on the Extensions icon in the Activity Bar on the side of the window or by pressing Cmd+Shift+X.
   • Search for "Zeal" and install the "Zeal" extension.

2. Configure the Zeal extension:

   • Open the Command Palette by pressing Cmd+Shift+P.
   • Type "Zeal: Open Settings" and select it.
   • Configure the path to the Zeal executable if necessary (usually /Applications/Zeal.app).

3. Using the Zeal extension:

   • Highlight any term in your code.
   • Right-click and select "Search in Zeal".
   • Zeal will open and display the relevant documentation.