Mac Dev Setup

This is my quick guide for setting up a new macOS development environment. I try to script it as much as possible, but some things are still manual (mainly changing System Preferences).

Install Apps

Install Homebrew from brew.sh.

# Apps
brew install --cask visual-studio-code
brew install --cask ghostty
brew install --cask orbstack
 
# Terminal apps
brew install git
 
# Frontend Tools
brew install node
brew install oven-sh/bun/bun

Notes

• I use OrbStack over Docker, as its much faster and more lightweight.
• I use Bun over Node, but Node is still required for some things.

System Settings

• Appearance
  • Set "Appearance" to "Dark"
• Desktop & Dock
  • Desktop & Stage Manager
    • Set "Click wallpaper to reveal desktop" to "Only in Stage Manager"
    • Disable "Stage Manager"
• Touch ID & Password
  • Setup Touch ID
• Keyboard
  • Set "Tracking speed" to "Fast"
  • Set "Scrolling Speed" to "Fast"
• Trackpad
  • Point & Click
    • Set "Tracking speed" to "Fast"
    • Enable "Tap to click"

Finder Settings

• Sidebar
  • Check home directory
  • Uncheck "Recent Tags"
• Advanced
  • Check "Remove items from the Bin after 30 days"

Key Repeat

This bit is critical if you use VIM, as without it macOS doesn't allow key repeat. Run the following in Terminal, then log out and back in to apply the changes:

# Enable key repeat
defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false
 
# Tweak key repeat speed and initial delay
defaults write NSGlobalDomain KeyRepeat -int 1
defaults write NSGlobalDomain InitialKeyRepeat -int 10

Apps

• LinearMouse for configuring the scroll direction of a mouse without affecting the scroll direction of the trackpad
  • Scrolling
    • Enable "Reverse scrolling"
  • General
    • Disable "Show in menu bar"
    • Enable "Start at login"

Resources

• Mac Setup for Web Development [2025] - robinwieruch.de