I dared to install .NET Core on an Apple Silicon Mac—and believe me, it felt like walking a tightrope between two worlds. But after much trial, error, and a few desperate prayers, I’ve found salvation: JetBrains IntelliJ Rider.
Why IntelliJ Rider Is Heaven-Sent for Mac Users:

Seamless Debugging: Rider’s debugger feels like a warm embrace after the cold, glitchy struggles of other tools. It just works.
Optimized for macOS: Whether you’re on Intel or M1/M2, Rider runs smooth as butter. Visual Studio for Mac? Not so much.
Cross-platform Savior: Whether you’re hopping between Windows and macOS, Rider has your back.
Free for Personal Use: Hallelujah! You can use it without spending a dime if you’re eligible. That’s the kind of blessing every developer needs.

The Holy War: Installing .NET SDK

If you’re diving into the sacred mysteries of .NET Core on macOS, you’ve got two paths:
The Homebrew Way (Quick and Easy):

brew install --cask dotnet-sdk

Pros:
Handles dependencies and updates like a dutiful cleric.
Perfect for those who want things to “just work.”
Cons:
May lag behind the latest SDK updates—patience is a virtue, after all.

The Direct Path (Manual Download):
Head to dotnet.microsoft.com and download the SDK installer.
Pros:
Instant access to the latest version—no waiting for Homebrew updates.
Cons:
Requires manual updates. (We all know how that story ends...you forget!)

Other Divine Tools for Mac Devs

Docker: For running services like SQL Server, Docker feels like manna from heaven. It fills the Windows-shaped gap in your setup.
iTerm2 + Oh My Zsh: Turn your terminal into a celestial experience with these tools.
VS Code: Need quick edits? This lightweight editor is your trusty angel sidekick, while Rider handles the heavy lifting.

Working with .NET Core on Apple Silicon might feel like you’re sinning against nature, but trust me, the right tools will deliver you to the promised land.

Have you walked this holy path? Share your divine revelations, or maybe just a funny story from your own journey. Let’s lighten the load together! 🙌