Prerequisites

What You Need

Besides git, you'll need:

1. The node.js JavaScript runtime.
2. The CoffeeScript compiler which also includes the cake utility.
3. The Compass CSS framework (optional).
4. The Docco documentation generator (optional).

Note that without Compass, you won't be able to compile SASS files to CSS, so some build tasks (i.e. cake app and cake sass) will fail. Without Docco, you won't be able to generate HTML docs, so cake docs will fail.

CoffeeScript

Mac OS X/Linux

The easiest way to get CoffeeScript is via npm - the Node Package Manager. Follow the installation instructions to install npm, and then go to CoffeeScript's site, and follow their installation instructions.

Windows

Well, not I don't know exactly, but this StackOverflow answer seems a good place to start.

Compass (optional)

For Compass, you'll need Ruby and RubyGems installed.

Mac OS X/Linux

On Mac OS X, both Ruby and RubyGems is preinstalled, so just follow the installation instructions on Compass' site

Windows

No idea. Have fun!

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Installing Everything on Mac OS X

NOTE I'm writing this in the past, so check the sites for updates. This is just here for reference. $ ... means that it's a Terminal command, i.e. type everything after the $ into the Terminal and hit the return key.

1. Install Node.js using the installer from nodejs.org
2. Install npm: $ curl http://npmjs.org/install.sh | sh and hitting the return key
3. Install CoffeeScript: $ npm install --global coffee-script
4. Install Compass: $ gem update --system && gem install compass
5. Install Docco: $ sudo npm install docco (requires your password)