macOS-setup

Automation to bootstrap a new Mac for software development with a lightweight, terminal-first setup.

This repository handles machine setup, package installation, and update automation. Terminal, prompt, and app configuration live in the companion repository macOS-dotfiles.

Prereq

1. Install Command Line Tools (CLT) for Xcode

xcode-select --install

2. Install Rosetta 2 for binaries that are still Darwin/AMD64 (Docker builds, etc)

softwareupdate --install-rosetta

3. Agree to the Xcode license

sudo xcodebuild -license accept

Installation

# bootstrap the machine, install packages, dotfiles, and DX defaults
./bin/macOS-setup install

# optional follow-up for fzf keybindings/completions
/opt/homebrew/opt/fzf/install

./bin/macOS-setup install will:

• install Homebrew if needed
• install CLI packages and cask apps
• install Ghostty, Starship, fastfetch, and related shell tooling
• clone or update https://github.com/nesbert/macOS-dotfiles
• back up any existing ~/.zshrc and ~/.config
• symlink ~/.zshrc and ~/.config from the dotfiles repo

If you want to use a fork or alternate remote for dotfiles, set DOTFILES_REPO_URL before running install:

DOTFILES_REPO_URL=https://github.com/<you>/macOS-dotfiles.git ./bin/macOS-setup install

Update Software

# update Homebrew packages/casks and refresh vim config
./bin/macOS-setup update

What does it install?

Below highlights some of the software installed and configured by this script.

• Homebrew package manager for macOS
• Xcode Command Line Tools updates when available
• Ghostty as the primary terminal emulator
• Starship as the shell prompt
• Homebrew-managed Zsh plugins including autocomplete, autosuggestions, syntax highlighting, history substring search, you-should-use, and git prompt
• nvm with the latest Node.js release set as default
• jenv plus Azul Zulu JDK 21 via Homebrew cask
• fastfetch for shell startup system info
• GNU command-line tools such as coreutils, findutils, gnu-sed, and grep
• Dotfiles bootstrapped from macOS-dotfiles
• Vim enhanced with The Ultimate vimrc and the Nord theme
• Other applications and settings for development

Optional macOS defaults are split into two scripts:

• scripts/macOS-system-settings.sh for broadly useful DX defaults
• scripts/macOS-personal-settings.sh for personal UI, hot corner, input, and display preferences

The DX-focused settings script is currently run by scripts/macOS-install.sh, while the personal settings script stays opt-in.

./bin/macOS-setup system-settings
./bin/macOS-setup personal-settings

Applications, Tools & Utilities

• Package manager: Homebrew
• Terminal emulator: Ghostty
• Prompt: Starship
• Shell plugins: zsh-autocomplete, zsh-autosuggestions, zsh-fast-syntax-highlighting, zsh-history-substring-search, zsh-syntax-highlighting, zsh-you-should-use, zsh-git-prompt
• Node version manager: nvm
• Java environment manager: jenv
• JDK: Azul Zulu JDK 21
• Vim baseline: The Ultimate vimrc
• Vim theme: Nord for Vim
• System info: fastfetch
• Editors and developer apps: Visual Studio Code, GitHub Desktop, Docker Desktop, Bruno
• AI tools: ChatGPT, Claude, Codex CLI, Codex app, GitHub Copilot CLI, Gemini CLI
• Browsing, chat, and utilities: Arc, Discord, AlDente, AppCleaner, iMazing, SF Symbols
• Fonts: GoMono Nerd Font, JetBrainsMono Nerd Font, Meslo LG Nerd Font

Inspired By

• https://medium.com/macoclock/automating-your-macos-setup-with-homebrew-and-cask-e2a103b51af1
• https://www.lotharschulz.info/2021/05/11/macos-setup-automation-with-homebrew/
• https://github.com/mathiasbynens/dotfiles/blob/main/.macos