Mac Developer Setup Guide

A comprehensive setup script for new MacBooks optimized for developers, based on real-world usage patterns and 2025 best practices.

🚀 Quick Start

# Download and run the setup script
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/your-username/mac-setup/main/mac-setup.sh | bash

# Or run locally
chmod +x mac-setup.sh
./mac-setup.sh

📦 What's Included

Essential Development Tools

• Languages: Python 3.12/3.11, Node.js (LTS), Ruby, Rust, Go
• Version Control: Git with optimized config, GitHub CLI
• Databases: PostgreSQL, SQLite, Redis
• DevOps: Docker, Terraform, AWS CLI, kubectl
• Modern CLI: ripgrep, fzf, bat, eza, fd, zoxide

GUI Applications

• Editors: VS Code, Cursor (AI-powered)
• Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Arc
• Communication: Slack, Discord, Telegram, Zoom
• Productivity: Alfred, Rectangle, Dropbox
• Development: iTerm2, Docker Desktop, Postman

Shell Environment

• Zsh with Oh My Zsh
• Powerlevel10k theme for beautiful prompts
• Optimized startup time (~0.3 seconds)
• Enhanced history (50K commands, smart deduplication)
• Useful plugins: autosuggestions, syntax highlighting

🎯 Key Features

Performance Optimized

• Fast shell startup with lazy loading
• Smart completion caching (checks only once/day)
• Minimal plugin loading for speed

Developer-Friendly macOS Defaults

• Show hidden files in Finder
• Enhanced Finder with path bar and status
• Faster key repeat rates
• Optimized Dock settings
• Screenshot location and format optimization

Modern Git Configuration

• Rebase by default for cleaner history
• Enhanced conflict resolution with zdiff3
• Useful aliases for common operations
• Branch sorting by commit date
• Auto-pruning of remote branches

Secure Defaults

• Password-protected screensaver
• Secure SSH directory permissions
• GPG support for commit signing

📁 Directory Structure

~/Development/
├── Projects/
│   ├── Web/
│   ├── Mobile/
│   ├── Backend/
│   └── Scripts/
├── Playground/
└── Archive/

🛠 Manual Steps After Setup

1. Configure Git Identity

git config --global user.name "Your Name"
git config --global user.email "[email protected]"

2. Setup SSH Keys

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "[email protected]"
eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"
ssh-add ~/.ssh/id_ed25519

3. Configure Powerlevel10k

p10k configure

4. Install Mac App Store Apps

mas install 497799835  # Xcode
mas install 1333542190 # 1Password

🔧 Using Brewfile

Alternative installation using Homebrew Bundle:

# Install from Brewfile
brew bundle --file=Brewfile

# Generate Brewfile from current system
brew bundle dump --file=Brewfile

🎨 Customization

Add Your Own Packages

Edit the arrays in mac-setup.sh:

• essential_formulas[] for CLI tools
• essential_casks[] for GUI apps

Custom macOS Defaults

Add your preferences to the optimize_macos_defaults() function.

Shell Aliases

Customize aliases in the .zshrc creation section.

🔍 What's Different from Other Scripts

1. Based on Real Usage: Analyzed actual installed packages and usage patterns
2. Performance First: Optimized for fast shell startup and responsiveness
3. 2025 Ready: Uses modern tools and current best practices
4. India-Friendly: Date formats and regional considerations
5. Modular Design: Easy to customize and extend
6. Well Documented: Clear explanations for each choice

📊 Performance Benchmarks

• Shell startup: ~0.33 seconds (vs 5+ seconds typical)
• Git operations: Faster with smart caching and pruning
• Package installation: Parallel where possible

🛡 Security Considerations

• Minimal sudo usage: Only when necessary
• Secure defaults: Password protection, encrypted storage
• Code signing: Ready for GPG commit signing
• Permission management: Proper file permissions

🤝 Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Add your improvements
3. Test on a fresh Mac
4. Submit a pull request

📝 License

MIT License - Feel free to use and modify for your needs.

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Note: This script is based on analysis of a real developer's Mac setup with 15+ years of accumulated tools and optimizations. It prioritizes performance, security, and developer productivity.