This started out as some "hot tips" but has since evolved into more of a guide for myself that I run through whenever I get a new machine.

Last updated for macOS 12

security & privacy

1. Firewall > turn on (esp if you're working in cafes or airports etc.)
2. defaults write com.apple.AdLib allowApplePersonalizedAdvertising 0 (turn off personalized apple ads)

keyboard

1. Touch Bar Shows > Expanded Control Strip
2. Modifier Keys... > Use Caps Lock as Escape

package manager

1. Install homebrew

apps

1. brew install --cask spotify

firefox developer edition

1. brew tap homebrew/cask-versions
2. brew install --cask firefox-developer-edition
3. Change default browser in sys preferences

git

1. Add an SSH key
2. brew install gpg
3. Add a GPG key

mkdir ~/Developer && cd ~/Developer
git clone git@github.com:dctalbot/dotfiles.git
cp dotfiles/.gitconfig ~
git config --global user.signingkey <gpg key here>
git config --global user.email <gpg email here>
git config --global --list

terminal

1. brew install --cask iterm2
2. brew install tmux
3. ln dotfiles/.tmux.conf ~/.tmux.conf

Potentially use the iTerm GUI to import iterm/profile.json. The only thing custom is the Working Directory attribute e.g. mine is /Users/dctalbot

For some reason, iterm wants access to Contacts. Block this under sys preferences > security & privacy > privacy > contacts

shell

• Install oh-my-zsh
• Clone p10k oh-my-zsh installation https://github.com/romkatv/powerlevel10k#oh-my-zsh

ln dotfiles/.zshrc ~/.zshrc # zsh config
ln dotfiles/.zprofile ~/.zprofile # zsh config

You may have to explicitly trust oh-my-zsh:

compaudit | xargs chmod g-w,o-w

text editor

1. brew install --cask visual-studio-code
2. Sign into settings sync
3. Restart

code --list-extensions

dbaeumer.vscode-eslint
dsznajder.es7-react-js-snippets
eamodio.gitlens
esbenp.prettier-vscode
GitHub.copilot
golang.go
GraphQL.vscode-graphql
hediet.vscode-drawio
mechatroner.rainbow-csv
ms-azuretools.vscode-docker
ms-python.python
ms-python.vscode-pylance
ms-toolsai.jupyter
ms-vscode-remote.remote-containers
redhat.vscode-yaml
svelte.svelte-vscode
tht13.html-preview-vscode
tommorris.mako
vayan.haml
whizkydee.material-palenight-theme

node

brew install nvm

python

brew install pyenv

cron jobs

open calendar every 30 mins during workday

alias cal-remind-on="echo '0,30 9-17 * * 1-5 open -a Calendar' | crontab"
alias cal-remind-off="crontab -l | grep -v 'Calendar'  | crontab"