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macOS Setup and Configuration
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macOS_Setup.md

This guide was created using macOS Big Sur 11.6

Installation:

For your sanity, do this first

  • System Preferences -> Trackpad -> Tap to click

Install Homebrew

Follow the instructions here

Install Homebrew Packages:

brew install git

Install Homebrew Cask Packages:

brew install --cask google-chrome firefox sourcetree p4v cyberduck iTerm2 DropBox dotnet-sdk visual-studio-code postman parallels private-internet-access microsoft-remote-desktop evernote movist xee lastpass powershell visual-studio

Karabiner-Elements will require you to open System Preferences -> Security & Privacy to enable the extension:

brew install --cask karabiner-elements

Download and Install:

Login to the App Store and Install:

Install the Ricoh Aficio SP C240SF driver:

Install a code Font

  • Install a font from Nerd Fonts
  • I use Hack (Hack Regular Nerd Font Complete Mono.ttf)

Configuration:

DropBox:

  • launch dropbox and login
  • setup sync

System Preferences:

  • General:
    • Appearance: Dark
    • Show scroll bars: always
    • Default web browser: Google Chrome.app
    • Close windows when quitting an app: false
  • desktop & screen saver:
    • select background
    • screensaver: flurry
  • dock & menu bar:
    • Automatically hide and show the dock
  • mission control:
    • automatically rearrange spaces based on recently used: false
  • Sound
    • Show volume in menu bar
  • Keyboard:
    • Keyboard -> modifier keys -> caps lock-> escape
    • Keyboard -> delay until repeat -> short
    • Keyboard -> Text: uncheck correct spelling automatically
    • Keyboard -> Touch Bar shows -> F1, F2, etc. Keys
    • Keyboard -> Shortcuts -> Mission Control: uncheck show desktop and show dashboard
  • trackpad: 
    • tap to click
  • displays:
    • nightshift -> schedule: sunset to sunrise
  • Sharing:
    • change computer name at top
  • Time Machine
    • backup automatically
    • show time machine in menu bar
    • options -> backup while on battery power

Finder:

  • view -> select status bar, tab bar and path bar
  • right click on empty folder area -> show view options (configure to taste)
  • preferences:
    • General -> New finder windows show: alanstevens (home directory)
    • Sidebar -> uncheck Tags
    • advanced
      • When performing a search: Search the current folder
      • keep folders on top when sorting by name
      • show all filename extensions
      • disable warning before changing extension
  • customize finder toolbar (right click):
    • Drag the path and new folder buttons to the toolbar

Better Snap Tool:

  • preferences -> keyboard shortcuts
    • set hotkeys for left, right and full (cmd+<- etc.)
  • preferences -> General Settings ->
    • Start Bettersnaptool every time your mac starts up

Karabiner-Elements:

  • simple modifications
    • right option -> left option (great for Windows)
    • capslock -> escape (great for vim)

iTerm:

  • download iterm color schemes:
  • unzip and import ir_black.itermcolors into iTerm
    • profiles -> colors -> color presets -> import
    • choose IR_Black in the schemes folder
  • set iTerm font to 14pt Hack
    • profiles -> text -> change font
  • Preferences -> General -> Confirm Quit iTerm2: false
  • Preferences -> General -> Confirm closing multiple sessions: false

Terminal:

  • download iterm color schemes:
  • unzip and import ir_black.terminal into Terminal
    • settings -> Profiles -> circle with ellipses icon at the bottom -> import
    • choose IR_Black in the terminal folder
    • select IR_Black in the list and click Default at the bottom
  • set font to 14pt Hack
    • settings -> font -> change

Visual Studio Code

Install the following extensions(Cmd+Shift+x):

  • C#
  • IR_Black Theme
  • PowerShell
  • Vim

In Settings (Cmd+,)

  • Commonly Used:
    • Editor: Font Size: 14
    • Editor: Font family: Hack Nerd Font Mono
  • Security -> Workspace
    • Uncheck Trust:Enabled

Messages:

  • preferences -> general -> Keep messages: Forever

Chrome & Firefox:

  • log in and sync

Private Internet Access

  • launch and log in

Mail:

  • settings -> Default email reader: airmail.app

Airmail:

  • login to accounts
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