How I set up a new machine (README)

Motivation: The follow spec details how I set up a brand new macOS computer, for writing, software development, and everyday productivity. I maintain it to streamline the process each time I do it.

Last updated: 12 Nov 2024

Info

• Stored at ohong/new-machine-setup
  • https://github.com/ohong/new-machine-setup/blob/master/Brewfile
• Filename: ~/dev/new-machine-setup/Brewfile
• Current OS: macOS Sequoia 15.1

Changelog

Nov 2024

• Added a changelog
• Removed the screenshots, unnecessary
• No longer using (remove from Brewfile):
  • Alfred, replaced by Raycast
  • Atom, replaced by VS Code & Cursor
  • Google Chrome, replaced by Arc browser
  • iTerm, replaced by Warp
  • Magnet, replaced by Raycast (Window Management)
  • Dropbox, just use the web interface, or Google Drive or iCloud storage
  • Fantastical, replaced by Notion Calendar
  • Spark, replaced by Superhuman
  • TunnelBear, replaced by NordVPN
• Added new apps I use now under “Applications” & to the Brewfile
• Removed step of adding brewup alias to my bash profile
• Removed steps for installing Node JS, npm, Ruby, composer, virtual hosts. I just don’t use them enough to justify doing on every fresh setup.
• Removed section on customising iTerm, I just use Warp now
• Removed section on changing OS defaults from command line
• Shortened section on SSH & combined it with GitHub set up
• Added all Finder & System Settings changes

Applications

All via the Brewfile cask and mas commands.

Essential

• Arc — web browser
• Bear — Markdown notes
• Notion — personal database / 2nd brain
• 1Password — password manager
• Raycast — launcher
• Things 3 — task manager

Programming

• Visual Studio Code
• Cursor — AI code editor
• Windsurf — another AI code editor
• Linear — project management
• Postman — API testing tool
• Warp — Terminal replacement

Other

• AppCleaner
• Bartender 5 — menu bar organiser
• CheatSheet
• Clay
• Cubby
• DaisyDisk
• Descript
• Discord
• Limitless
• LINE
• Logi Options+
• Loom
• MacWhisper
• NordVPN
• Notion Calendar
• Numi
• One Thing
• Perplexity
• Poe
• Raindrop
• Rewind
• Rize — AI time tracking
• RODE Connect
• Screen Studio
• Shortcat
• Slack
• Spotify
• Streamlabs — Live streaming
• Superhuman
• Texts — Unified inbox for messages
• Wispr Flow — Voice dictation
• Zoom

Install via command line

Homebrew (macOS package manager)

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Mac App Store (mas)

The Mac App Store command line interface, or mas-cli, will allow you to install from the App Store.

brew install mas

If you haven't already logged into the App Store, you can do so now.

mas signin [email protected]

Brewfile

Brewfile lists all the programs I want on my machine and install them in a bundle. It is in this repository.

Simply run this command to install the bundle:

brew bundle install

Alternatively, I can bundle install from a Brewfile hosted on my GitHub, without creating a local copy:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohong/new-machine-setup/blob/master/Brewfile | brew bundle --file=-

GitHub & SSH

• Generate a new SSH key and add it to to the ssh-agent
• Add the new SSH key to my GitHub account

Config - ~/.gitconfig

touch ~/.gitconfig

Here I'll input my name, email, GitHub username, some aliases to be able to type less and do more:

[user]
    name = First Last
    email = [email protected]
[github]
    user = username
[alias]
    a = add
    ca = commit -a
    cam = commit -am
    s = status
    pom = push origin master
    pog = push origin gh-pages
    puom = pull origin master
    puog = pull origin gh-pages
    cob = checkout -b

With the above aliases, I can run git s instead of git status, for example.

Change settings via command line

Hide all icons on desktop:

defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop false;killall Finder

Remove Dock delays:

defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-delay -float 0; defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -int 0;killall Dock

Disable disk warnings:

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.DiskArbitration.diskarbitrationd.plist DADisableEjectNotification -bool YES && sudo pkill diskarbitrationd

Change screenshot default to JPG (smaller files vs. PNG):

defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg

Make hidden app icons transparent in Dock:

defaults write com.apple.Dock showhidden -bool TRUE && killall Dock

Sync app settings

• Export the latest Raycast “Settings & Data”, then import into new machine.

Browser extensions

• 1Password
• uBlock Origin (N.B. no long compatible with Chromium after June 2025)
• Archive Page
• Raindrop.io

Finder

• General -> Don’t show any items on the desktop, New Finder windows show: Documents, Sync Desktop & Documents folders
• Sidebar: Show ohong (Home), Recents, Applications, Downloads, dev
• Advanced -> When performing a search: Search the Current Folder
• Change to List view
• For each file, show: Name, Date Modified, Size, Kind
• View -> Show Path Bar, Show Status Bar
• Customise Toolbar: add Airdrop & Share
• Make my own “Recents” folder: New Smart Folder -> Opened within last 7 days, NOT Applications

System Settings

Network

• Set service order, prioritise Ethernet connection over WiFi
• Firewall: ON

General

• Switch to 24-hour time & show 24h time on Lock Screen

• Open at Login:
  • Bartender 5
  • CheatSheet
  • Raycast
  • Rewind
  • Supercharge
  • Things Helper

Appearance

• Show scroll bars: When scrolling
• Click in the scroll bar to: Jump to the spot that’s clicked

Control Centre

• Clean up, remove Spotlight Search et al.

Desktop & Dock

• Make dock smaller, small magnification
• Move to left of the screen
• Minimise windows using Scale Effect
• Minimise windows into application icon = ON
• Automatically hide and show the Dock = ON
• Show recent apps = OFF.
• Tiled windows have margins = OFF
• Default web browser = Arc

• Hot corners:
  • Top-left (+ Cmd) = Lock Screen
  • Bottom-left (+ Cmd) = Notification Centre
  • Top-right = Desktop
  • Bottom-right = Mission Control

Displays�

• More Space
• Night Shift: Turn on from Sunset to Sunrise

Privacy & Security

• FileVault: ON (makes sure SSD is securely encrypted)
• Allow applications from: App Store and Known Developers

Login Password

• Use Apple Watch to unlock

Keyboard

• Fastest key repeat rate, shortest delay until repeat
• Keyboard Shortcuts -> Spotlight -> Deselect shortcuts
• Remap Modifier Keys:
  • Caps Lock = Escape
  • For external keyboards: swap Option <> Command
• Text Input -> Edit: Turn OFF correct spelling, capitalise words, etc. Keep add full stop with double-space.

Mouse

• Max pointer & scroll speeds
• Side buttons to move between desktop
• Wheel click = Cmd + W (close tab / window)
• Scroll direction = Standard

---

Sandbox

What else am I missing?

• Desktop wallpapers—How to make them sync across devices?
• Brew packages I’m testing:
• Apps testing: Supercharge, Windsurf (Cursor competitor)