macOS

macOS is a Unix-like operating system developed by Apple Inc. It is the operating system that powers the Macintosh family of computers.

Setting up a new Macbook will be tough and cumbersome. Every time I am getting a new Macbook, I go over the same steps on how to set it up for my working experience.

I create a record of my setup, hoping it’s helpful for others too!

Install

Install Older versions

Get started

Dock 

# Dock
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -boolean true
defaults write com.apple.dock tilesize -int 20
defaults write com.apple.dock largesize -int 30
defaults write com.apple.dock magnification -bool true
defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array
killall Dock # restart dock app

Mouse & Trackpad

Enable Tap to Click

When setting up a new Macbook, one of the first changes we make is enabling the tap-to-click feature for the trackpad.

Go「System Preference -> Trackpad -> Point & Click」and enable 「Tap to click」 option.

# https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/382098/how-to-enable-tap-to-click-using-keyboard-only
defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad Clicking -bool true
defaults write com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad Clicking -bool true
defaults -currentHost write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.mouse.tapBehavior -int 1
defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.mouse.tapBehavior -int 1

Enable Three Finger Dragging

In general, “tap to click” on your Macbook to avoid a force-click on the trackpad. But this doesn’t work when it comes to dragging and repositioning windows.

Also, I’m big fan of tree finger dragging.

  1. Go 「System Preference -> Accessibility」.
  2. In the Accessibility sidebar, choose option 「Pointer Control」.
  3. Click the button 「Trackpad Options」.
  4. Enable dragging and select 「three finger drag」.

# https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/110277/how-to-enable-three-finger-drag-from-command-line
defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad DragLock -bool false
defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad Dragging -bool false
defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad TrackpadThreeFingerDrag -bool true

Activate Misson Control with a mouse button

Enable App Exposé with trackpad

“App Exposé” lets you see shows you all open and unhidden windows for your current app.

  1. Go 「System Preference -> Trackpad」.
  2. Click the 「More Gestures」.
  3. Enable “App Exposé” and select 「Swipe down with four fingers」.

Enable Stage Manager

Compared to multiple windows, I prefer Stage Manager. This feature arrived with macOS Ventura, and provides a little bit of ability to make your windows less cluttered.

  1. Click Control Center in the menu bar, then click Stage Manager.

Mac Mouse Fix

Keyboard

repeat speed

# https://apple.stackexchange.com/questions/10467/how-to-increase-keyboard-key-repeat-rate-on-os-x
defaults write -g InitialKeyRepeat -int 10
defaults write -g KeyRepeat -int 2

Software

Table of contents