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macOS Set Up Notes

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System Apps

Dock

To clean up the Dock:

defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array

killall Dock

To add small spacers to the Dock to help organize it:

alias add_dock_space='defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array-add '\''{tile-data={}; tile-type=small-spacer-tile;}'\''; killall Dock;'

add_dock_space

Also helpful: Add Desktop folder to the Dock (drag and drop it next to Downloads)

Finder

  • Menu Bar -> View -> Turn on “Show Status Bar” and “Show Path Bar”
  • Choose Finder > Settings, then click Advanced. Select or deselect “Show all filename extensions.”

Terminal

  • Use Cmd + I to quickly open Inspector which allows you to change the profile (theme) of the window. Very helpful for multiple windows.
  • Additional themes to download: Rickey_Terminal_Profiles.zip

Caps Lock Behaviour

An annoying caps lock delay exists. The real way is to fix it by running:

hidutil property --set '{"CapsLockDelayOverride":10}'

To run it at log-in every time: Create an Automator app that runs a “Script” with the above content, save it as remove_caps_lock_delay.app, and add it to your log-in items.

Window Tiling (Rectangle)

As of macOS 15 Sequoia there is now Window tiling using fn + control + arrow keys, but it still does not maximize window or move it between displays. To remove the gap between Windows: Turn off “Tiled windows have margins” in Settings.

Install Rectangle: https://rectangleapp.com/

Key Management

  • Use Secretive to manage SSH keys via the computer’s built-in Secure Enclave

Keyboard Shortcuts

For using with a Windows-layout Keyboard

Because the Cmd Key is not vertically aligned with letter key “X”, it feels “weird” to use a normal keyboard for macOS. Therefore, it’s easier to keep some Windows-isms and the muscle memory as they work 80% of the time.

  • In Settings, Modifier Keys, swap Control as Command, and Command as Control (to use Logitech Keyboard)
  • Configure Mission Control to trigger on Control + Tab (which mimicks Windows alt+tab / Win+tab)
  • Prefer to use Logitech software as it gives a more pleasant mouse acceleration profile
  • Alternatively, use Linear Mouse: https://linearmouse.app/