# My Manual Way of Setting Up MacBook Pro M1 for Software Development

# My Manual Way of Setting Up MacBook Pro M1 for Software Development

I’m setting up a new Macbook Pro (16 inch, 2021 M1 Pro), and I’d like to document what I do for my own reference and hopefully will help others too. I don’t have `dotfiles` because so far I don’t really use a lot of aliases or custom configuration.

If you know a way to automate some of this steps, I’m looking mostly for a way to automate all the Settings part so I don’t need to rely on the UI, please let me know!

## First steps

- OhMyZsh: `sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)"`
- Homebrew: `/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL [https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh))"`
- Generate SSH key: `ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your_email@example.com"`

## Brewfile

If you don’t have one, you should do a backup of all your installed packages on your previous Mac by running the command `brew bundle dump`. This will generate a `Brewfile` which you can use to reinstall all the packages you have installed.

Here is how mine looks like:

```bash
tap "homebrew/bundle"
tap "homebrew/cask"
tap "homebrew/cask-fonts"
tap "homebrew/core"
tap "homebrew/services"
brew "bat"
brew "colima"
brew "docker"
brew "docker-compose"
brew "exa"
brew "gh"
brew "jenv"
brew "jq"
brew "mas"
brew "ripgrep"
brew "teleport"
cask "devutils"
cask "disk-inventory-x"
cask "font-fira-code"
cask "imageoptim"
cask "insomnia"
cask "iterm2"
cask "jetbrains-toolbox"
cask "monodraw"
cask "mos"
cask "obsidian"
cask "raycast"
cask "rectangle"
cask "telegram-desktop"
cask "tunnelblick"
cask "visual-studio-code"
cask "vlc"
cask "whatsapp"
cask "zoom"
mas "Amphetamine", id: 937984704
mas "Hand Mirror", id: 1502839586
mas "Outline", id: 1356178125
```

To install, run `brew bundle` on the directory where the `Brewfile` is located.

## Login to your accounts

 You’ll probably use these for authenticating to other services:

- Gmail
- Github

## Terminal

I really like iTerm2 for my everyday terminal. I can’t really feel the difference of speed between the default terminal and iTerm2, I just like some of its features and as a bonus, it’s not slow either.

The only other preferences I’d like to change is to show CPU, RAM, and Network usage on the status bar.


![image.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1664770423904/DDeG4TcVI.png align="left")


## Java setup

I use SDKMAN to setup all my JDK related needs

Install:

`curl -s "https://get.sdkman.io" | bash`

then `sdk install java` to install the latest LTS Java version.

## Docker

I’ve used Docker Desktop for a while but I’m trying the alternative, which is [Colima](https://github.com/abiosoft/colima/). I’m liking it so far, and not having access to the GUI also helps me remembering most used docker commands.

Steps:

`brew install colima`

`brew install docker`

`brew install docker-compose`

`colima start`

`docker ps`

Notes: if you followed my Brewfile then colima will already be installed and you can just run `colima start` to start using Docker.

## Mouse

I’m using Logitech MX Master 2S right now so I’ll need [Logitech Options](https://download01.logi.com/web/ftp/pub/techsupport/options/options_installer.zip).

### Disabling mouse acceleration

I don’t like the mouse acceleration Mac has when you’re using mouse because I’m a gamer and I’m used to not have any acceleration. Here’s how to disable it:

- Set tracking speed to zero on Mouse setting


![image.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1664770466604/bj-KDA7dc.png align="left")

- Set the pointer speed on Logitech Options

With this configuration, make sure you run Logitech Options on startup otherwise your mouse will be pretty slow.


![image.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1664770481610/wgmLuouvV.png align="left")

I also like to enlarge my cursor size because it’s so helpful when presenting and I’ve never lost sight of my cursor ever again.

### Smooth scrolling

The default scroll behavior when using mouse is janky, and using the built in smooth scroll from Logitech Options is not good enough so I turn to [Mos](https://github.com/Caldis/Mos) to enable smooth scrolling.


![image.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1664770544002/yvIT1ka8K.png align="left")

## Spotlight alternative: Raycast

[Raycast](https://www.raycast.com/) is a new challenger to the well-known Alfred, I haven’t use Alfred extensively when I switched to Raycast, but so far I’m enjoying it. They have various features to helps you be productive and it’s very extendable. 

The Floating Notes in particular has been very helpful for writing a quick note while I’m in a meeting or saving that user info that you need to debug your application.


![image.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1664770555655/Q8eFgOlSP.png align="left")

## Settings

- Touchpad
    - Enable one click
    - Disable dictionary lookup
- Dock
    - Auto hide and show
    - Disable show recent items
    - Clear up everything except: Finder, System Preferences
- Siri
    - Disable it
- Sound
  - Disable "Play user interface sound effects"
- Keyboard
    - Key repeat → Fast
    - Delay until repeat → Short
    - Text
        - Disable "Correct spelling automatically"
        - Disable "Capitalize words automatically"
        - Disable "Add period with double-space"
        - Disable "Use smart quotes and dashes"
    - Shortcuts
        - Screenshots: Copy picture of selected area as a file → Option + Shift + S
        I set the screenshot button to be the same as Windows because I switch between them quite often.
        - Keyboard: Add Keyboard shortcuts to use Command + Esc to switch between app
        I’m currently using 65% keyboard so I don’t have the Tilde key to press easily, so I mapped it to Esc key.
            
            
![image.png](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1664770571405/3rz90Hxyq.png align="left")
            

## Git config

If you like to tinker around with side projects in your spare time, you will often needs to commit something with your personal Github account. Changing the credentials when switching to side project is tiresome, so here’s how I managed to do it:

- Global git config on `~/.gitconfig`

```bash
[user]
	name = Kamal Mahmud
	email = kamalhm1997@gmail.com
	
[pull]
	rebase = true

[includeIf "gitdir:~/work/"]
    path = ~/work/.gitconfig
```

- Git config on work folder `~/work`

```bash
[user]
  email = kamal.mahmud@orgs.com
```

Reference: [https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4220416/can-i-specify-multiple-users-for-myself-in-gitconfig/43654115#43654115](https://stackoverflow.com/questions/4220416/can-i-specify-multiple-users-for-myself-in-gitconfig/43654115#43654115)