Setting up a new Apple computer for web development

I've been fortunate enough to get a new computer for work. Rather than migrate my old one, I always take it as an opportunity to start afresh. I've honed the apps I work with, so I know what I want, but I use it as an excuse to really question if everything is the right thing. I also use it as a test-case for running through our documentation for new starters, in case I've missed anything.

This isn't a "must follow", but thought I would share the apps and settings I have, should anyone wish to take inspiration. This isn't the first time I've done this, but this post is more comprehensive than the post from 2022.

Settings

🍎 -> System Settings

Lock screen

The first thing is to increase the screensaver and screen timeouts - a 2 minute default is far too short.

I set the following:

• Start Screen Saver when inactive: Never
• Turn display off on battery when inactive: 30 minutes
• Turn display off on power adapter when inactive: 30 minutes

I tend to shut/lock my computer out of habit anyway, so if I want it open and on, I want it open and on.

Desktop & Dock

• Minimised window animation: Scale Effect
• Automatically hide and show the Dock ✅
• Show suggested and recent apps in Dock: ❌
• Show desktop: Only in Stage Manager on Click
• Hot Corners
  • Bottom left: Show desktop

Keyboard -> Function Keys

• Use F1, F2, etc. keys as standard function keys: ✅

Accessibility -> Zoom

Next I enable zooming - it's handy when screen sharing or showing someone in the office. It allows you to hold Control (by default) and "scroll" up and down to zoom in and out.

• Use scroll gesture with modifier keys to zoom: ✅
• Advanced
  • Zoomed image moves: Continuously with pointer
  • Show zoomed image while screen sharing: ✅

Updates

Before I do anything else I make sure the computer is up-to-date with any system updates

🍎 -> System Settings -> General -> Software Updates

TouchID for sudo commands

Having to enter your password while setting up your computer can be tiresome, following Nick Taylor's One Tip a Week: TouchID for sudo commands, you can use your finger for any admin commands & settings (if you have TouchID)

Edit the file (enter your password one last time)

sudo vi /etc/pam.d/sudo_local

The add the following (you can always copy /etc/pam.d/sudo_local.template first)

# sudo_local: local config file which survives system update and is included for sudo
# uncomment the following line to enable Touch ID for sudo
auth       sufficient     pam_tid.so

Homebrew

Homebrew is the package manager which makes everything better. It's a central place to install and update your applications

Install Homebrew.

As an optional extra, I use Cork as a GUI to Homebrew - can help with the maintenance and visualisation of your installed apps.

If I need to install an app, I tend to lean towards using Homebrew to help with the updates and to keep track of everything installed.

Apps

I've tried to break apps down by category, but these are the ones I tend to have. Apps which can be installed with Homebrew have a 🍺 emoji next to them & their package name.

Productivity

• Chrome (🍺 google-chrome)
• Firefox (🍺 firefox)
• 1Password (🍺 1password)
• BitWarden (🍺 bitwarden)
• ClickUp (🍺 clickup)
• TickTick (🍺 ticktick)
• Slack (🍺 slack)
• Raycast (🍺 raycast)
• Hyperkey (🍺 hyperkey)
• Viscosity (🍺 viscosity)
• Spark (Classic)

Development

• Visual Studio Code (VSCode) (🍺 visual-studio-code)
• Sequel Ace (🍺 sequel-ace)
• Iterm2 (🍺 iterm2)
• Git (🍺 git)
• Composer (🍺 composer)
• Node (🍺 node)
• NVM (🍺 nvm)
• Orbstack (🍺 orbstack docker)
• DDEV (🍺 ddev/ddev/ddev)
  • mkcert -install

Other

• AppCleaner (🍺 appcleaner)
• Spotify (🍺 spotify)
• Claude & Claude code (🍺 claude claude-code)
• Oh My ZSH
  • powerlevel10k (🍺 powerlevel10k)
    • Run echo "source $(brew --prefix)/share/powerlevel10k/powerlevel10k.zsh-theme" >>~/.zshrc
    • Then add the following plugins: plugins=(git ssh-agent)

Uninstall Apps

Once AppCleaner is installed, I then uninstall

• Garageband
• iMovie

Restart

Make sure you restart your computer during the setup, as some apps and settings need a clear cache to work effectively.

Configuration

With the applications set up, it's time to start configuring them

SSH Access

If you have a previous computer (and access to it) you can copy the ~/.ssh folder across to allow you access to all your SSH places (such as Github, servers etc). If not, you'll need to generate a new key:

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "[email protected]"

git config --global init.defaultBranch main
git config --global merge.ff false
git config --global pull.ff true
git config --global pull.rebase true
git config --global fetch.prune true

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"