macOS Setup and Configuration

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:

nodejs

Login to the App Store and Install:

Install the Ricoh Aficio SP C240SF driver:

Download

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

alanstevens/macOS_Setup.md