Setting Up A New Macbook

Here’s how I setup my new Macbook.

Installing Applications

1. Install Dropbox which I try to sync as many things to as possible.
2. Install Google Chrome. I use Chrome Sync to keep as many settings synced across machines.
3. Extensions 1. QuickTabs
4. Install BitWarden and Authy for password management.
5. Install Alfred. See How I Use Alfred
6. Install Spotify.
7. Install VS Code. See How I Use VS Code
8. Install Obsidian.
9. Install Qbserve.
10. Install iTerm2. See How I Use iTerm
11. Install Notion.
12. Install GitHub Desktop.
13. Install Slack.
14. Install Stretchly.
15. Install Cleanshot X.
16. Install USB Overdrive.
17. Install TablePlus.
18. Install SwiftBar
19. Install xbar.
20. Install Kaleidoscope

Configuring Mac OSX

These settings are a subset of what I found on this blog post.

#1. Disable animations when opening and closing windows.
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticWindowAnimationsEnabled -bool false
#2. Disable animations when opening a Quick Look window.
defaults write -g QLPanelAnimationDuration -float 0
#3. Accelerated playback when adjusting the window size (Cocoa applications).
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSWindowResizeTime -float 0.001
#4. Disable animation when opening the Info window in Finder (cmd⌘ + i).
defaults write com.apple.finder DisableAllAnimations -bool true
#5. Disable animations when you open an application from the Dock.
defaults write com.apple.dock launchanim -bool false
#6. Make all animations faster that are used by Mission Control.
defaults write com.apple.dock expose-animation-duration -float 0.1
#7. Disable the delay when you hide the Dock
defaults write com.apple.Dock autohide-delay -float 0
#9. Disable the standard delay in rendering a Web page.
defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitInitialTimedLayoutDelay 0.25
# 10. Show hidden files. Allows editing hidden files too.
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool YES

Turn off the default Date / Time and replace it with itsycal.

1. Visit the Settings

2. Enable Show month in Icon

3. h:mm a use this format for time.

4. Drag it in the menu bar to the far right.

5. System Preference > Control Center > Clock Options -> Show date = Never.

6. Change to Analog instead of Digital.

While you’re here:

1. Spotlight > Don’t show in Menu Bar
2. Bluetooth > Show in Menu Bar

Add new Keyboard shortcuts:

• I remap Capslock to Control key so it’s more accessible.
• I remap most Cmd+Shift+[ keys to Alt+[ (and equivalent) so it requires less use of the pinky finger.

Install the fonts I like to use.

1. JetBrains Mono

Setting up my terminal

1. Install oh-my-zsh.
2. Install Homebrew.

• brew install rbenv
• brew install zsh-autosuggestions
• brew install terminal-notifier
• brew install TomAnthony/brews/itermocil
• brew install fzf
  • Install the keybindings and autocomplete.
• brew install jq
• brew install redis
• brew install overmind
• brew install ffmpeg
• brew install youtube-dl

1. I back up my iTerm configuration with Dropbox.
2. Install Command Line Utils:
3. diff-so-fancy
4. itermocil

Setup Git

You’ll probably want to setup GitHub.

1. Visit https://github.com/settings/tokens to generate a PAS. You’ll need it when you use git clone
2. Use VS Code for Git edits: git config --global core.editor "code --wait"

Setup Authy

After logging in, I have it integrated with Alfred so I don’t need to chase around my keys. Follow the instructions here.