Mac Dev Setup

A curated list of the apps, CLI tools, & mac settings I use to get up and running fast on a new Mac.

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Desktop Applications

• Google Chrome • Browser
• iTerm2 • Best Terminal Em.
• Claude Desktop • Best AI Assistant
• Docker Desktop • Best Container App
• Obsidian • Best Note taking App
• Rectangle • Best Window Manager
• Karabiner Elements • Best App Manager
• VS Code • Still Best Free IDE
• Handy • Best Free Voice Dictation
• Bruno • Best API testing App

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Keyboard Settings

Text Cursor Key-Repeat Tester: best butter smooth setting

enter in terminal & restart computer

defaults write -g KeyRepeat -int 1
defaults write -g InitialKeyRepeat -int 12

Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Shortcuts... > App Shortcuts >

• All Applications
  • disable Minimize
• Google Chrome, VSCode, iTerm, etc.
  • disable Hide

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CLI Applications

• Homebrew

  Note: after every homebrew install, carefully follow the logged instructions

  Install and use:

  • brew install fd - better cli find
  • brew install ffmpeg - audio/video converter
  • brew install jq - command-line JSON processor
  • brew install lazygit - terminal UI for git
  • brew install neovim - Vim-based text editor
  • brew install notunes - disable Apple Music button
  • brew install ripgrep - better cli grep
  • brew install rust - rust bin
  • brew install tree - directory tree viewer
  • brew install uv - python manager
  • brew install wget - retrieve files over HTTP/FTP

  One-time setup command:

  • brew install gh - github cli (run gh auth login)
  • brew install git-lfs - Git extension for large files (run git lfs install)

  Requires shell config (add init to ~/.zshrc):

  • brew install fnm - fast node manager (eval "$(fnm env)")
  • brew install fzf - fuzzy finder (key bindings + completion)
  • brew install zoxide - better cli cd (eval "$(zoxide init zsh)")
  • brew install atuin - better cli history (eval "$(atuin init zsh)")
  • brew install powerlevel10k - zsh prompt theme (source the theme + p10k configure)
  • brew install zsh-syntax-highlighting - better cli awareness (source the script)

• Claude Code

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Global npm Packages

npm install -g @playwright/cli @vscode/vsce corepack neovim pnpm

• @playwright/cli - browser automation and testing CLI
• @vscode/vsce - VS Code extension publishing tool
• corepack - Node package manager shim
• neovim - Node.js client for Neovim
• pnpm - fast, disk-efficient package manager

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Config Files

This repo also bundles the dotfiles and app configs I carry between machines:

• zsh/.zshenv • Loaded for every zsh invocation; sources secrets and sets locale, themes, and the bat man pager.
• zsh/.zprofile • Login-shell setup run once per window; initializes Homebrew, fzf, and PATH for child shells to inherit.
• zsh/.zshrc • Interactive shell config (Powerlevel10k, completions, history, fzf, atuin, zoxide, fnm).
• zsh/aliases.zsh • Shell aliases
• karabiner/karabiner.json • Karabiner Elements key-remapping rules.
• RectangleConfig.json • Rectangle window-management settings (import from Rectangle → Settings).

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Collaboration tools

• Slack
• Google Workspaces