Setting up my Mac
Mac Settings
A post about how I set up my Mac. I’ll likely make minor updates as things change.
However if I radically change how I do this, I’ll make a new post.
Enable Time Machine
I have at Synology NAS, which makes the backups easy. I highly recommend using Time Machine for backups, even to a external drive. It not only makes it easy to backup / restore files, but you can essentially restore your entire system to a previous state.
Three Finger Drag
Three finger drag allows you to grab windows at the title bar and move them around with a three finger drag.
How this isn’t default is beyond me.
Set Dock to the side
I’ve gotten used to having the Dock on the side instead of the bottom of screen. I think my initial reasoning was that vertical space is more scarce than horizontal space, so put the dock on the side.
Keyboard Repeat
I like my keyboard responsive.
Set the keyboard Key repeat rate to fast and Delay until repeat to short.
Menubar
Since Bartender is no longer widely recommended, I’ve switched to Ice.
Backups
While time machine is a full system backup that is stored on my NAS, I also want my home directory backed up in a different location. I use ARQ for this.
brew
Most CLI things installed with brew.
Below is a list of whatever packages I have installed on my personal machine.
Installed packages
> brew leaves | sort
btop
chezmoi
colima
docker
fd
fish
fzf
golangci-lint
htop
hugo
hurl
id3v2
mtr
node
noseyparker
rsync
rust
spek
tree
uv
vale
wget
yt-dlp
zoxide
Terminal
Mainly using iTerm2. I don’t try to configure it much.
Shell
I use fish.
My .config/fish/config.fish file looks something like this:
# Needed for brew to work on M4
eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"
# Default editor
set -gx EDITOR vim
# Better cd that remembers common dirs
zoxide init fish | source
# Better searching through history and files
fzf --fish | source
# uv
fish_add_path "/Users/jonathon/.local/bin"
# Rust
fish_add_path /Users/jonathon/.cargo/bin
zoxide
zoxide is a rust tool from the lineage of autojump and z.
It’s essentially a better cd that makes it easier to navigate the filesystem.
I likely don’t use it to its full potential.
brew install zoxide
fzf
fzf is a fuzzy finder; I use it mostly for easier searching through my terminal history.
brew install fzf
vim
I’m not a power vim user, but I do know enough that there are simple quality of life config changes that I need.
I don’t like to use long vim configs full of plugins and settings that I don’t understand.
I think the most basic config for me is this:
set backspace=2 " backspace in insert mode works like normal editor
syntax on " syntax highlighting
filetype indent on " activates indenting for files
set autoindent " auto indenting
set number " line numbers
set nobackup " get rid of anoying ~file
set mouse=a " enable mouse support
set clipboard=unnamed " use system clipboard
Apps
Ice
Ice to keep the menubar small.
Itsycal
Itsycal is tremendous and a must for me.
1Password
I use 1Password for password management.
Karabiner-Elements
Because I have the Kinesis Advantage 2, I’ve used Karabiner-Elements to remap a few things that I couldn’t do in the Kinesis software.
Rectangle
This is likely my most used app, I actually paid for Pro to support the developer.
bluesooze
bluesooze disables bluetooth when the lid is closed. This is because Mac’s seem to be able to connect to bluetooth devices even when the lid is closed.
I have some headphones that can connect to multiple devices. And when I connect them to my phone, they often will then also connect to my Mac and cause issues.
Tailscale
Tailscale to connect to my home network (I aint opening ports on my router).
iina
iina seems to be a better fit than VLC for me.
Google Drive
I use it still.
KeepingYouAwake
KeepingYouAwake for when I need to keep it awake.
Notes
I’ve tried Obsidian, but I really find it too much and just use Apple Notes.
Search
I’ve been paying for Kagi for a few years now. I’m on the $10/month plan.
I have around 950 to 1100 searches a month.