Automated macOS setup script for a fresh Mac installation. Installs apps, CLI tools, configures system preferences, and sets up the development environment.

# Clone the repo
git clone https://github.com/ahmadawais/dotfiles.git
cd dotfiles

# Make executable and run
chmod +x mac-setup.sh
./mac-setup.sh

• Ghostty - GPU-accelerated terminal
• iTerm2 - Feature-rich terminal

• Google Chrome

• Visual Studio Code + Insiders
• Postman
• Local (WordPress)
• GPG Suite

• Raycast (launcher)
• Rectangle (window management)
• Maccy (clipboard manager)
• Dropbox

• Zoom
• Microsoft Teams
• Discord
• WhatsApp

• VLC
• IINA
• ImageOptim
• WebTorrent

• Mounty (NTFS support)
• Cursorcerer (auto-hide cursor)
• Macs Fan Control
• Cloudflare WARP
• Karabiner Elements
• OBS Studio
• Tunnelblick (VPN)

• ScreenFlow
• Rocket
• ColorSnapper
• ForkLift
• Setapp

• n - Node version manager
• Node.js LTS
• npm
• pnpm
• git-open (global package)

• Oh My Zsh
• zsh-autosuggestions plugin
• zsh-syntax-highlighting plugin
• Shades of Purple theme

The script configures these system preferences:

• Allow quitting via Cmd+Q
• Show hidden files
• Show all file extensions
• Show path bar and status bar
• List view by default
• Folders on top when sorting

• Expanded save/print dialogs
• Fast key repeat rate
• Disabled auto-correct
• Tap to click enabled
• Auto-hide Dock (no delay)

• Saved to ~/Desktop/Screenshots
• Shadows disabled

• Safari: Full URL + Developer menu
• TextEdit: Plain text mode
• Activity Monitor: Show all processes
• VLC: History cleared

After the script completes:

1. Restart your Mac to apply all system changes
2. Configure zsh - Add plugins to ~/.zshrc:

   plugins=(git zsh-autosuggestions zsh-syntax-highlighting)
   ZSH_THEME="shades-of-purple"

3. Check manual.md for:
   • License activation instructions
   • Manual app installations
   • Theme setup guides

dotfiles/
├── mac-setup.sh    # Main setup script
├── manual.md       # Post-install manual steps
├── readme.md       # This file
└── .zshrc          # Zsh configuration

Add brew formulas or casks in the appropriate section:

# CLI tool
brew install tool-name

# GUI app
brew install --cask app-name

macOS defaults are in the "macOS PREFERENCES" section. Reference:

• https://macos-defaults.com/
• https://mths.be/macos

• macOS (tested on Ventura, Sonoma, Sequoia)
• Admin privileges (for sudo)
• Internet connection

• Intel Macs: Full support
• Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3): Full support with automatic Homebrew path configuration

Inspired by:

• mathiasbynens/dotfiles
• mths.be/macos

Ahmad Awais - @AhmadAwais

MIT