Skip to content

Instantly share code, notes, and snippets.

@cristiean

cristiean/macos_setup.md

Last active May 20, 2026 09:30
Show Gist options

  • Select an option

    Learn more about clone URLs
  • Save cristiean/a4d40da9532d9561fb10fb7bf06608ab to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.

Select an option

Learn more about clone URLs
Save cristiean/a4d40da9532d9561fb10fb7bf06608ab to your computer and use it in GitHub Desktop.
Download ZIP
MacOS setup
Raw
macos_setup.md

MacOS Setup

Using this to set up MacOS after a fresh install. Worked for MacOS Monterey in Apr 2022.

Homebrew

  • Install Homebrew
    • Run any commands the installer asks you to
    • You might need to add brew to your PATH. Follow the installer's instructions
    • Optional (if you have a Brewfile you want to install from):
      • Navigate to the folder that has the Brewfile
      • Run $ brew bundle

GitHub

  • Install GitHub CLI: brew install gh; brew upgrade gh
  • gh auth login -> HTTPS -> browser -> follow instructions in terminal
  • git config --global user.email "user@domain.com"
  • git config --global user.email "alexandru.cristiean@gmail.com"; git config --global user.name "Alexandru Cristiean"

Terminal

  • From my local machine:
    • cd ~/.config/; git commit -am 'latest'; git pull
    • brew dump --file=~/.config/Brewfile --force
  • On new machine:
    • git clone https://github.com/cristiean/config
    • mv config/ .config; cp .config/.hushlogin .;
    • cp .config/zsh/.zsh-env-to-place-in-root .zshenv .;exec zsh

Apps

  • $ brew bundle in a folder with Brewfile

iTerm2

  • If not already installed in Apps, run $ brew install iterm2
  • Load automatically: Point iTerm2 preferences to ~/.config/iterm2

System Preferences

General

  • Airdrop & Continuity -> Allow Handoff between this Mac and your iCloud devices

Appearance

  • Show scroll bars: When scrolling

Menu Bar

  • Spotlight
  • ...

Desktop & Dock

  • Dock
    • Size: 1/3
    • Magnification: 1/2
    • Minimise windows using: Scale effect
    • Minimise windows into application icon
    • Automatically hide & show the Dock
  • Mission Control
    • Automatically rearrange Spaces based on most recent use
  • Hot corners: Right Bottom -> Start Screensaver

Internet Accounts

  • Add Personal (Mail, Calendar)
  • Add Work/Uni (Mail, Calendar)

Wallet & Apple Pay

  • Add cards

Displays

  • More Space
  • Night Shift -> Sunset to Sunrise

Siri & Spotlight

  • TODO:

Keyboard

  • Key Repeat Rate -> max
  • Key Repeat Delay -> max
  • Text Input -> Sources
    • Add native language
    • Modify settings for All Input Sources (capitalisation, etc)
      • Correct spelling automatically
      • Capitalize words automatically
      • Add period with double-space
      • Use smart quotes and dashes

Trackpad

  • Tracking speed 6/10
  • Click: Light

Messages

  • Enable Messages on iCloud

Finder

  • View
    • Show path bar
    • Show status bar
  • Add/Remove folders from Favourites sidebar

Apps settings

Sign up for free to join this conversation on GitHub. Already have an account? Sign in to comment