this was only tested using Max OS 10.6.6 get erlang.tgz from here [then, using an account with admin rights] cd /usr/local/lib tar zxfv PATH_TO_WHEREVER_YOU_HAVE_STORED_IT/erlang.tgz cd /usr/local/bin ln -s /usr/local/lib/erlang/bin/erl ln -s /usr/local/lib/erlang/bin/erlc then start a new shell and try erl