OSX for Hackers: Yosemite/El Capitan Edition. This script tries not to be *too* opinionated and any major changes to your system require a prompt. You've been warned.

osx-for-hackers.sh

#!/bin/sh

###
# SOME COMMANDS WILL NOT WORK ON macOS (Sierra or newer)
# For Sierra or newer, see https://github.com/mathiasbynens/dotfiles/blob/master/.macos
###

# Alot of these configs have been taken from the various places
# on the web, most from here
# https://github.com/mathiasbynens/dotfiles/blob/5b3c8418ed42d93af2e647dc9d122f25cc034871/.osx

# Set the colours you can use
black='\033[0;30m'
white='\033[0;37m'
red='\033[0;31m'
green='\033[0;32m'
yellow='\033[0;33m'
blue='\033[0;34m'
magenta='\033[0;35m'
cyan='\033[0;36m'

# Resets the style
reset=`tput sgr0`

# Color-echo. Improved. [Thanks @joaocunha]
# arg $1 = message
# arg $2 = Color
cecho() {
  echo "${2}${1}${reset}"
  return
}

# Set continue to false by default
CONTINUE=false

echo ""
cecho "###############################################" $red
cecho "#        DO NOT RUN THIS SCRIPT BLINDLY       #" $red
cecho "#         YOU'LL PROBABLY REGRET IT...        #" $red
cecho "#                                             #" $red
cecho "#              READ IT THOROUGHLY             #" $red
cecho "#         AND EDIT TO SUIT YOUR NEEDS         #" $red
cecho "###############################################" $red
echo ""


echo ""
cecho "Have you read through the script you're about to run and " $red
cecho "understood that it will make changes to your computer? (y/n)" $red
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  CONTINUE=true
fi

if ! $CONTINUE; then
  # Check if we're continuing and output a message if not
  cecho "Please go read the script, it only takes a few minutes" $red
  exit
fi

# Here we go.. ask for the administrator password upfront and run a
# keep-alive to update existing `sudo` time stamp until script has finished
sudo -v
while true; do sudo -n true; sleep 60; kill -0 "$$" || exit; done 2>/dev/null &

###############################################################################
# General UI/UX
###############################################################################

echo ""
echo "Would you like to set your computer name (as done via System Preferences >> Sharing)?  (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  echo "What would you like it to be?"
  read COMPUTER_NAME
  sudo scutil --set ComputerName $COMPUTER_NAME
  sudo scutil --set HostName $COMPUTER_NAME
  sudo scutil --set LocalHostName $COMPUTER_NAME
  sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.smb.server NetBIOSName -string $COMPUTER_NAME
fi

echo ""
echo "Hide the Time Machine, Volume, User, and Bluetooth icons?  (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  # Get the system Hardware UUID and use it for the next menubar stuff
  for domain in ~/Library/Preferences/ByHost/com.apple.systemuiserver.*; do
    defaults write "${domain}" dontAutoLoad -array \
      "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/TimeMachine.menu" \
      "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/Volume.menu" \
      "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/User.menu"
  done

  defaults write com.apple.systemuiserver menuExtras -array \
    "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/Bluetooth.menu" \
    "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/AirPort.menu" \
    "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/Battery.menu" \
    "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/Clock.menu"
fi

echo ""
echo "Hide the Spotlight icon? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  sudo chmod 600 /System/Library/CoreServices/Search.bundle/Contents/MacOS/Search
fi

echo ""
echo "Disable Spotlight indexing for any volume that gets mounted and has not yet been indexed before? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  echo 'Use `sudo mdutil -i off "/Volumes/foo"` to stop indexing any volume.'
  sudo defaults write /.Spotlight-V100/VolumeConfiguration Exclusions -array "/Volumes"
fi

echo ""
echo "Change indexing order and disable some search results in Spotlight? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  # Yosemite-specific search results (remove them if your are using OS X 10.9 or older):
  #   MENU_DEFINITION
  #   MENU_CONVERSION
  #   MENU_EXPRESSION
  #   MENU_SPOTLIGHT_SUGGESTIONS (send search queries to Apple)
  #   MENU_WEBSEARCH             (send search queries to Apple)
  #   MENU_OTHER
  defaults write com.apple.spotlight orderedItems -array \
    '{"enabled" = 1;"name" = "APPLICATIONS";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 1;"name" = "SYSTEM_PREFS";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 1;"name" = "DIRECTORIES";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 1;"name" = "PDF";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 1;"name" = "FONTS";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "DOCUMENTS";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MESSAGES";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "CONTACT";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "EVENT_TODO";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "IMAGES";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "BOOKMARKS";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MUSIC";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MOVIES";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "PRESENTATIONS";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "SPREADSHEETS";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "SOURCE";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MENU_DEFINITION";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MENU_OTHER";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MENU_CONVERSION";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MENU_EXPRESSION";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MENU_WEBSEARCH";}' \
    '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MENU_SPOTLIGHT_SUGGESTIONS";}'
  # Load new settings before rebuilding the index
  killall mds > /dev/null 2>&1
  # Make sure indexing is enabled for the main volume
  sudo mdutil -i on / > /dev/null
  # Rebuild the index from scratch
  sudo mdutil -E / > /dev/null
fi

echo ""
echo "Expanding the save panel by default"
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode -bool true
defaults write NSGlobalDomain PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint -bool true
defaults write NSGlobalDomain PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint2 -bool true

echo ""
echo "Automatically quit printer app once the print jobs complete"
defaults write com.apple.print.PrintingPrefs "Quit When Finished" -bool true

# Try e.g. `cd /tmp; unidecode "\x{0000}" > cc.txt; open -e cc.txt`
echo ""
echo "Displaying ASCII control characters using caret notation in standard text views"
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSTextShowsControlCharacters -bool true

echo ""
echo "Save to disk, rather than iCloud, by default? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSDocumentSaveNewDocumentsToCloud -bool false
fi

echo ""
echo "Reveal IP address, hostname, OS version, etc. when clicking the clock in the login window"
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow AdminHostInfo HostName

echo ""
echo "Check for software updates daily, not just once per week"
defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ScheduleFrequency -int 1

echo ""
echo "Removing duplicates in the 'Open With' menu"
/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Support/lsregister -kill -r -domain local -domain system -domain user

echo ""
echo "Disable smart quotes and smart dashes? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticQuoteSubstitutionEnabled -bool false
  defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticDashSubstitutionEnabled -bool false
fi

echo ""
echo "Add ability to toggle between Light and Dark mode in Yosemite using ctrl+opt+cmd+t? (y/n)"
# http://www.reddit.com/r/apple/comments/2jr6s2/1010_i_found_a_way_to_dynamically_switch_between/
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/.GlobalPreferences.plist _HIEnableThemeSwitchHotKey -bool true
fi

echo ""
echo "Disable Photos.app from starting everytime a device is plugged in"
defaults -currentHost write com.apple.ImageCapture disableHotPlug -bool true


###############################################################################
# General Power and Performance modifications
###############################################################################

echo ""
echo "Disable hibernation? (speeds up entering sleep mode) (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 0
fi

echo ""
echo "Remove the sleep image file to save disk space? (y/n)"
echo "(If you're on a <128GB SSD, this helps but can have adverse affects on performance. You've been warned.)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  sudo rm /Private/var/vm/sleepimage
  echo "Creating a zero-byte file instead"
  sudo touch /Private/var/vm/sleepimage
  echo "and make sure it can't be rewritten"
  sudo chflags uchg /Private/var/vm/sleepimage
fi

echo ""
echo "Disable the sudden motion sensor? (it's not useful for SSDs/current MacBooks) (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  sudo pmset -a sms 0
fi

echo ""
echo "Disable system-wide resume? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.systempreferences NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows -bool false
fi

echo ""
echo "Disable the menubar transparency? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool true
fi

echo ""
echo "Speeding up wake from sleep to 24 hours from an hour"
# http://www.cultofmac.com/221392/quick-hack-speeds-up-retina-macbooks-wake-from-sleep-os-x-tips/
sudo pmset -a standbydelay 86400


################################################################################
# Trackpad, mouse, keyboard, Bluetooth accessories, and input
###############################################################################

echo ""
echo "Increasing sound quality for Bluetooth headphones/headsets"
defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Apple Bitpool Min (editable)" -int 40

echo ""
echo "Enabling full keyboard access for all controls (enable Tab in modal dialogs, menu windows, etc.)"
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleKeyboardUIMode -int 3

echo ""
echo "Disabling press-and-hold for special keys in favor of key repeat"
defaults write NSGlobalDomain ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false

echo ""
echo "Setting a blazingly fast keyboard repeat rate"
defaults write NSGlobalDomain KeyRepeat -int 0

echo ""
echo "Disable auto-correct? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled -bool false
fi

echo ""
echo "Setting trackpad & mouse speed to a reasonable number"
defaults write -g com.apple.trackpad.scaling 2
defaults write -g com.apple.mouse.scaling 2.5

echo ""
echo "Turn off keyboard illumination when computer is not used for 5 minutes"
defaults write com.apple.BezelServices kDimTime -int 300

echo ""
echo "Disable display from automatically adjusting brightness? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.iokit.AmbientLightSensor "Automatic Display Enabled" -bool false
fi

echo ""
echo "Disable keyboard from automatically adjusting backlight brightness in low light? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.iokit.AmbientLightSensor "Automatic Keyboard Enabled" -bool false
fi

###############################################################################
# Screen
###############################################################################

echo ""
echo "Requiring password immediately after sleep or screen saver begins"
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPassword -int 1
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay -int 0

echo ""
echo "Where do you want screenshots to be stored? (hit ENTER if you want ~/Desktop as default)"
# Thanks https://github.com/omgmog
read screenshot_location
echo ""
if [ -z "${screenshot_location}" ]
then
  # If nothing specified, we default to ~/Desktop
  screenshot_location="${HOME}/Desktop"
else
  # Otherwise we use input
  if [[ "${screenshot_location:0:1}" != "/" ]]
  then
    # If input doesn't start with /, assume it's relative to home
    screenshot_location="${HOME}/${screenshot_location}"
  fi
fi
echo "Setting location to ${screenshot_location}"
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location -string "${screenshot_location}"

echo ""
echo "What format should screenshots be saved as? (hit ENTER for PNG, options: BMP, GIF, JPG, PDF, TIFF) "
read screenshot_format
if [ -z "$1" ]
then
  echo ""
  echo "Setting screenshot format to PNG"
  defaults write com.apple.screencapture type -string "png"
else
  echo ""
  echo "Setting screenshot format to $screenshot_format"
  defaults write com.apple.screencapture type -string "$screenshot_format"
fi

echo ""
echo "Enabling subpixel font rendering on non-Apple LCDs"
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleFontSmoothing -int 2

echo ""
echo "Enabling HiDPI display modes (requires restart)"
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver DisplayResolutionEnabled -bool true

###############################################################################
# Finder
###############################################################################

echo ""
echo "Show icons for hard drives, servers, and removable media on the desktop? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.finder ShowExternalHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool true
fi

echo ""
echo "Show hidden files in Finder by default? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true
fi

echo ""
echo "Show dotfiles in Finder by default? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE
fi

echo ""
echo "Show all filename extensions in Finder by default? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleShowAllExtensions -bool true
fi

echo ""
echo "Show status bar in Finder by default? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.finder ShowStatusBar -bool true
fi

echo ""
echo "Display full POSIX path as Finder window title? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.finder _FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool true
fi

echo ""
echo "Disable the warning when changing a file extension? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.finder FXEnableExtensionChangeWarning -bool false
fi

echo ""
echo "Use column view in all Finder windows by default? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.finder FXPreferredViewStyle Clmv
fi

echo ""
echo "Avoid creation of .DS_Store files on network volumes? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores -bool true
fi

echo ""
echo "Disable disk image verification? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify -bool true
  defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify-locked -bool true
  defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify-remote -bool true
fi

echo ""
echo "Allowing text selection in Quick Look/Preview in Finder by default"
defaults write com.apple.finder QLEnableTextSelection -bool true

echo ""
echo "Show item info near icons on the desktop and in other icon views? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:showItemInfo true" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:showItemInfo true" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:showItemInfo true" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
fi

echo ""
echo "Show item info to the right of the icons on the desktop? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:labelOnBottom false" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
fi

echo ""
echo "Enable snap-to-grid for icons on the desktop and in other icon views? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:arrangeBy grid" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:arrangeBy grid" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:arrangeBy grid" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
fi

echo ""
echo "Increase grid spacing for icons on the desktop and in other icon views? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:gridSpacing 100" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:gridSpacing 100" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:gridSpacing 100" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
fi

echo ""
echo "Increase the size of icons on the desktop and in other icon views? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:iconSize 80" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:iconSize 80" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
  /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:iconSize 80" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
fi


###############################################################################
# Dock & Mission Control
###############################################################################

echo "Wipe all (default) app icons from the Dock? (y/n)"
echo "(This is only really useful when setting up a new Mac, or if you don't use the Dock to launch apps.)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array
fi

echo ""
echo "Setting the icon size of Dock items to 36 pixels for optimal size/screen-realestate"
defaults write com.apple.dock tilesize -int 36

echo ""
echo "Speeding up Mission Control animations and grouping windows by application"
defaults write com.apple.dock expose-animation-duration -float 0.1
defaults write com.apple.dock "expose-group-by-app" -bool true

echo ""
echo "Disable the over-the-top focus ring animation"
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSUseAnimatedFocusRing -bool false

echo ""
echo "Hide the menu bar? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write "Apple Global Domain" "_HIHideMenuBar" 1
fi

echo ""
echo "Set Dock to auto-hide and remove the auto-hiding delay? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool true
  defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-delay -float 0
  defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -float 0
fi


###############################################################################
# Chrome, Safari, & WebKit
###############################################################################

echo ""
echo "Privacy: Don't send search queries to Apple"
defaults write com.apple.Safari UniversalSearchEnabled -bool false
defaults write com.apple.Safari SuppressSearchSuggestions -bool true

echo ""
echo "Hiding Safari's bookmarks bar by default"
defaults write com.apple.Safari ShowFavoritesBar -bool false

echo ""
echo "Hiding Safari's sidebar in Top Sites"
defaults write com.apple.Safari ShowSidebarInTopSites -bool false

echo ""
echo "Disabling Safari's thumbnail cache for History and Top Sites"
defaults write com.apple.Safari DebugSnapshotsUpdatePolicy -int 2

echo ""
echo "Enabling Safari's debug menu"
defaults write com.apple.Safari IncludeInternalDebugMenu -bool true

echo ""
echo "Making Safari's search banners default to Contains instead of Starts With"
defaults write com.apple.Safari FindOnPageMatchesWordStartsOnly -bool false

echo ""
echo "Removing useless icons from Safari's bookmarks bar"
defaults write com.apple.Safari ProxiesInBookmarksBar "()"

echo ""
echo "Enabling the Develop menu and the Web Inspector in Safari"
defaults write com.apple.Safari IncludeDevelopMenu -bool true
defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitDeveloperExtrasEnabledPreferenceKey -bool true
defaults write com.apple.Safari "com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2DeveloperExtrasEnabled" -bool true

echo ""
echo "Adding a context menu item for showing the Web Inspector in web views"
defaults write NSGlobalDomain WebKitDeveloperExtras -bool true

echo ""
echo "Disabling the annoying backswipe in Chrome"
defaults write com.google.Chrome AppleEnableSwipeNavigateWithScrolls -bool false
defaults write com.google.Chrome.canary AppleEnableSwipeNavigateWithScrolls -bool false

echo ""
echo "Using the system-native print preview dialog in Chrome"
defaults write com.google.Chrome DisablePrintPreview -bool true
defaults write com.google.Chrome.canary DisablePrintPreview -bool true


###############################################################################
# Mail
###############################################################################

echo ""
echo "Setting email addresses to copy as 'foo@example.com' instead of 'Foo Bar <foo@example.com>' in Mail.app"
defaults write com.apple.mail AddressesIncludeNameOnPasteboard -bool false


###############################################################################
# Terminal
###############################################################################

echo ""
echo "Enabling UTF-8 ONLY in Terminal.app and setting the Pro theme by default"
defaults write com.apple.terminal StringEncodings -array 4
defaults write com.apple.Terminal "Default Window Settings" -string "Pro"
defaults write com.apple.Terminal "Startup Window Settings" -string "Pro"


###############################################################################
# Time Machine
###############################################################################

echo ""
echo "Prevent Time Machine from prompting to use new hard drives as backup volume? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.TimeMachine DoNotOfferNewDisksForBackup -bool true
fi

echo ""
echo "Disable local Time Machine backups? (This can take up a ton of SSD space on <128GB SSDs) (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  hash tmutil &> /dev/null && sudo tmutil disablelocal
fi


###############################################################################
# Messages                                                                    #
###############################################################################

echo ""
echo "Disable automatic emoji substitution in Messages.app? (i.e. use plain text smileys) (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.messageshelper.MessageController SOInputLineSettings -dict-add "automaticEmojiSubstitutionEnablediMessage" -bool false
fi

echo ""
echo "Disable smart quotes in Messages.app? (it's annoying for messages that contain code) (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.messageshelper.MessageController SOInputLineSettings -dict-add "automaticQuoteSubstitutionEnabled" -bool false
fi

echo ""
echo "Disable continuous spell checking in Messages.app? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  defaults write com.apple.messageshelper.MessageController SOInputLineSettings -dict-add "continuousSpellCheckingEnabled" -bool false
fi


###############################################################################
# Transmission.app                                                            #
###############################################################################


echo ""
echo "Do you use Transmission for torrenting? (y/n)"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  mkdir -p ~/Downloads/Incomplete

  echo ""
  echo "Setting up an incomplete downloads folder in Downloads"
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission UseIncompleteDownloadFolder -bool true
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission IncompleteDownloadFolder -string "${HOME}/Downloads/Incomplete"

  echo ""
  echo "Setting auto-add folder to be Downloads"
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission AutoImportDirectory -string "${HOME}/Downloads"

  echo ""
  echo "Don't prompt for confirmation before downloading"
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission DownloadAsk -bool false

  echo ""
  echo "Trash original torrent files after adding them"
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission DeleteOriginalTorrent -bool true

  echo ""
  echo "Hiding the donate message"
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission WarningDonate -bool false

  echo ""
  echo "Hiding the legal disclaimer"
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission WarningLegal -bool false

  echo ""
  echo "Auto-resizing the window to fit transfers"
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission AutoSize -bool true

  echo ""
  echo "Auto updating to betas"
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission AutoUpdateBeta -bool true

  echo ""
  echo "Setting up the best block list"
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission EncryptionRequire -bool true
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission BlocklistAutoUpdate -bool true
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission BlocklistNew -bool true
  defaults write org.m0k.transmission BlocklistURL -string "http://john.bitsurge.net/public/biglist.p2p.gz"
fi


###############################################################################
# Sublime Text
###############################################################################
echo ""
echo "Do you use Sublime Text 3 as your editor of choice, and is it installed?"
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY][eE][sS]|[yY])$ ]]; then
  # Installing from homebrew cask does the following for you!
  # echo ""
  # echo "Linking Sublime Text for command line usage as subl"
  # ln -s "/Applications/Sublime Text.app/Contents/SharedSupport/bin/subl" /usr/local/bin/subl

  echo ""
  echo "Setting Git to use Sublime Text as default editor"
  git config --global core.editor "subl -n -w"
fi

###############################################################################
# Optional Extras
###############################################################################

# Create a nice last-change git log message, from https://twitter.com/elijahmanor/status/697055097356943360
git config --global alias.lastchange 'log -p --follow -n 1'



###############################################################################
# Kill affected applications
###############################################################################

echo ""
cecho "Done!" $cyan
echo ""
echo ""
cecho "################################################################################" $white
echo ""
echo ""
cecho "Note that some of these changes require a logout/restart to take effect." $red
cecho "Killing some open applications in order to take effect." $red
echo ""

find ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock -name "*.db" -maxdepth 1 -delete
for app in "Activity Monitor" "Address Book" "Calendar" "Contacts" "cfprefsd" \
  "Dock" "Finder" "Mail" "Messages" "Safari" "SystemUIServer" \
  "Terminal" "Transmission"; do
  killall "${app}" > /dev/null 2>&1
done

I used these defaults via the new ansible module osx_defaults in my dotfiles: https://github.com/elnappo/dotfiles/blob/master/init/tasks/osx_defaults.yml

Here's one I always use in my system. Maybe you can add that one too 😋

# Symlink /tmp to ~/Downloads 
sudo mv ~/Downloads ~/Downloads.bak
sudo ln -s /tmp ~/Downloads

This tweak is incredible helpful for lazy people like me that let their download folder overgrow. It forces me to categorize: Is the file I just downloaded important or not? If it is, move it to it's place and if it's not, just leave it and it will get deleted upon restart.

Especially with .dmg files I found this to be super helpful because I care about the content inside the container and not the container itself.

Looks like works fine on El Capitan.

@adamziaja thanks for verifying that! I have yet to run it on my computer that I did a fresh install of El Capitan on as my partner uses it mostly and I use my work laptop. I'll have to do some testing and updating when I do so.

Cheers.

This script is so helpful when clean installing. One fix, Line 360 is missing read -r response.

@KyleSimmonds Thanks for pointing that out, fixed now!

thanks for a better mac setup. i didn't do this on a clean install but worked fine

Is there any script like this for Ubuntu (ubuntu-for-hackers.sh)?

@Tushkiz not that I'm aware of, I use OS X

I came across this fantastic collection of yours while searching for nice OS X hacks and tricks for power users....thanks a lot. Anyway, I was searching to find as much as I could because I'm a software developer (well, actually, an aerospace engineer, but do software as a side business/open-source pleasure)... and I'm creating an app for OS X which will create a persistent store of everything that might be modified prior to first invocation of the program, then with a nice GUI, allowing users to choose what they would like to change. Similar to other tools, some of which no longer exist or don't work on the latest (e.g. El Capitan), but which pushes right past the nonsense bullshit and goes straight to the meat of the matter...anyway, obviously, you are sharing this with the world, but I always like to mention and request permission to utilize your collection (obviously not verbatim, since it will be translated to C++ and system calls) in this app. I'll be posting it on GitHub...if you're interested in this at all (e.g. providing feedback, if you have any new badass hacks, etc.) just let me know and I'll give you access to the repo once it's up.

So, that was a very long way of blabbing, I apologize. My main intention was to make sure you don't have any problems with my using your collection in this software. Violating someone else's IP is a pet peeve of mine...so do accept my apology if you couldn't care less...and, once again, thanks for sharing this. Ignore the naysayers who have the unbelievable guile to demonize you after they ran some script they found on the internet without ( a-reading it || b-understanding what it does || c-realizing the ramifications || d-taking the time to decide whether to perform one of the changes or not ) or more likely all of the above ( a && b && c && d ). You weren't required to post any of this, much less with the careful attention to detail you gave it and even more much less the fact that you gave options and choices for many of the settings. Some people will gripe about anything.

@sietec thank you for the kind words :)

I'm 100% ok with you using any of this in your software, free of charge and as-is, yada yada. If you want to attribute me or anyone else mentioned here who contributed, be my guest. I'd love to see the output of your software and I might include it in here if you publish it open source or make it available for everyone to use.

Cheers!

I messed up when starting this up. how do I reverse it?
and I know i shouldnt have done it blindly, but I know nothing about code, sadly.

@idontactuallyknowhowtocode I'm not sure how far the script ran, generally this is run on a brand new installation of OS X so I would consider just re-installing OS X

@brandonb927 Since some changes require a reboot to take effect, why not include a prompt to make things simpler to use?

Here's my code, at the very end of the script:

echo  ''
cecho 'Some changes require a reboot to take effect. Reboot?'        $lityellow
cecho "['y', 'yes', 'yeah', 'n', 'no', 'reboot', 'ok' or 'okay'.]" $lityellow
read -r response
if [[ $response =~ ^([yY]|[yY][eE][sS]|[yY][eE][aA][hH]|[rR][eE][bB][oO][oO][tT]|[oO][kK]|[oO][kK][aA][yY])$ ]];
then
  osascript -e 'tell app "System Events" to restart' # restart without showing a confirmation dialog
else
  cecho 'Some changes require a reboot to take effect.' $lityellow
  exit
fi

I still haven't tested this yet, though, but you get the idea. I will include this into mine.

@brandonb927 you might want to update

Hide the menu bar?
to
Hide the menu bar? (y/n)

@kvpb @dgitman thanks for the suggestions!

Hi @brandonb927, thanks for the script.

Do you know how i can undo the snap-to-grid setting in line 456?
I thought it would be nice to have but it seems slower and i actually prefer the default setting.

Thanks!

I think your C.l.o.u.d.-To-Butt text substitor is a bit too aggressive. Line 172 probably shouldn't have NSDocumentSaveNewDocumentsToButt.

"iButt", however, is a fantastic name for Apple's cloud service suite. I hope it catches on.

@izaaklauer Rats! I will fix that :)

@Pustur You'd have to take a look at a fresh installation, I'm not too sure.

Has anyone figured out how to get the fast key-repeat on sierra? :/

@albinekb, defaults write -g KeyRepeat -int 1 and defaults write -g InitialKeyRepeat -int 10

Note: I will not be maintaining this for macOS and beyond

@mathiasbynens has a well-maintained version that I've basically pulled everything from until this point, and some. You can continue to fork this script and add your own bits and pieces, but I will not be maintaining it as I've upgraded to macOS and won't be going backwards.

Thanks everyone for your support. I will check in here every now and again as Github has not implemented Gist commenting into the main Notifications panel 😑

🍻 Cheers!

@brandon927: Anyone know of a port of this for maxOS?

@pathikrit most, if not all, of these commands and tweaks will work, I just won't be supporting/keeping it up to date going forward.

Everything is Fine but I want the default icons back, how can I do that?

@branddon927 I would like the default icons to be back!

Is there any way to control how much space Optimize Mac Storage actually uses on my hard drive? In other words, how much optimization it actually does? Cause there doesn't seem to be a way for us to control that anywhere.

Basically, I'd like to be able to free up some space, and have most of my iCloud files stay on the cloud until I need them (on demand).

trying use this for processing pdfs similar to how these guys did it but do it locally for osx - so I can convert the pdf to json - anyone recommend good stuff for pdf->json?