How to Set Up Snowflake on mac

Galaxy Glossary

How do I install and configure Snowflake on a Mac?

Install SnowSQL, configure credentials, and run queries against your Snowflake account from macOS.

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Description

Example H2

Example H3

Why install Snowflake locally on macOS?

Running SnowSQL from your Mac lets you test SQL, automate data loads, and integrate Snowflake into scripts without relying on a browser UI.

What are the prerequisites?

Have a Snowflake account, macOS 12+, Homebrew, and network access to *.snowflakecomputing.com. Ensure the account role can create databases and warehouses.

How to install SnowSQL CLI via Homebrew?

Run brew install --cask snowflake-snowsql. Homebrew downloads the latest SnowSQL package, places binaries in /Applications/SnowSQL, and adds the CLI to your PATH.

How to configure SnowSQL connection parameters?

Create ~/.snowsql/config with:[connections]accountname = xy12345.us-east-1username = dev_userwarehouse = DEV_WHrole = DEVELOPERStore the password encrypted with snowsql -a xy12345 -u dev_user -p.

How to verify the connection?

Execute snowsql -q "SELECT CURRENT_VERSION();". A version string confirms that SnowSQL authenticated and reached the Snowflake cloud service.

How to create an ecommerce database and tables?

Run the SQL in “Syntax” below or pipe a .sql file into SnowSQL: snowsql -f setup_ecommerce.sql. Tables appear in the left panel of the UI and via SHOW TABLES;.

How to load sample data?

Stage CSVs in an S3 bucket, then: COPY INTO customers FROM @my_stage/customers.csv FILE_FORMAT=(TYPE=CSV, SKIP_HEADER=1);. Repeat for other tables.

How to query ecommerce tables?

Use familiar ANSI-SQL: SELECT c.name, SUM(o.total_amount) AS lifetime_value FROM Customers c JOIN Orders o ON c.id=o.customer_id GROUP BY 1 ORDER BY 2 DESC;

Best practices for mac Snowflake setup?

Keep SnowSQL updated with brew upgrade snowflake-snowsql. Store credentials in Keychain, use network policies for least-privilege, and script recurring tasks with cron or GitHub Actions.

Why How to Set Up Snowflake on mac is important

How to Set Up Snowflake on mac Example Usage


-- Top 5 products by revenue
SELECT p.name,
       SUM(oi.quantity * p.price) AS revenue
FROM   OrderItems oi
JOIN   Products    p ON p.id = oi.product_id
GROUP  BY p.name
ORDER  BY revenue DESC
LIMIT  5;

How to Set Up Snowflake on mac Syntax


-- 1. Connect using SnowSQL CLI
snowsql -a <account_identifier> -u <username> -r DEVELOPER -w DEV_WH -d DEMO_DB

-- 2. Create database and schema
CREATE OR REPLACE DATABASE DEMO_DB;
USE DEMO_DB;
CREATE OR REPLACE SCHEMA ecommerce;

-- 3. Create ecommerce tables
CREATE OR REPLACE TABLE Customers (
  id            INT, 
  name          STRING, 
  email         STRING, 
  created_at    TIMESTAMP
);
CREATE OR REPLACE TABLE Orders (
  id            INT,
  customer_id   INT,
  order_date    DATE,
  total_amount  NUMBER(10,2)
);
CREATE OR REPLACE TABLE Products (
  id    INT,
  name  STRING,
  price NUMBER(10,2),
  stock INT
);
CREATE OR REPLACE TABLE OrderItems (
  id         INT,
  order_id   INT,
  product_id INT,
  quantity   INT
);

Common Mistakes

Using the web UI credentials instead of the full account identifier (e.g., omitting the region). Fix: copy the <account_identifier> from "Help → Download > JDBC" in Snowflake.
Running SnowSQL behind a VPN without allowing *.snowflakecomputing.com. Fix: add split-tunnel rules or proxy exceptions before retrying.