May 29, 2024

On Clean Installing macOS in 2024

I upgraded my work laptop from an M2 MacBook Air 13-inch with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD to a model with 24GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD. I used a solo weekend to perform a clean setup without using the migration assistant. It’s been a long time since I did a fresh install, but it took me about a month to get everything configured the way I wanted, minus a lot of unnecessary clutter.

Here’s a list my must-have apps:

Apps

• Core:
  • 1Password 8: used to love it, now I just appreciate it.
  • Arc: I’ve drank the Kool-Aid. A browser with great design and cool ideas.
  • Drafts: my scratch-pad, since forever.
  • Ivory: I need my tweetbot. Doesn’t matter the social network.
  • Obsidian: where most of my work starts and ends.
  • Peek: quick look anything.
  • Raycast : App launcher, clipboard viewer, screenshot search, snippet expander, etc.
    
  • Soulver 3: the only way to calculate anything.
  • Sublime Text 4: Photoshop for Text.
  • Tembo: find a needle in your haystack.
  • Things: old faithful task manager.
• Work
  • Microsoft 365: oh how much I hate thee.
  • Microsoft Teams for Mac: see above and multiply by π.
  • Modern CSV: I use lots of CSVs, plus I hate Excel. Ice water in the desert this app is.
  • Screegle: best way to share screen on Teams.
  • Superhuman: my right hand. Can’t imagine working without it.
  • Superintendent.app: For reasons™, I need to manipulate data locally. Works great for me.
  • Vimcal: If you need to find time among many every day.
• AI
  • BoltAI: OpenAI, Claude, Gemeni API wrapper. Super cost-effective way to access Chatbots.
  • superwhisper: amazing dictation/transcription solution.
• Utilities
  • Applite: Install many apps outside the AppStore cleanly.
  • Bartender: Given recent controversy, now using Ice to bring order to the Menu Bar.
  • BetterDisplay : suffer less without a Studio Display at the office.
  • Calibre: ePubs happen.
  • Itsycal & Calendr : going back and forward. I miss Fantastical, but disappointed with its business features.
  • Karabiner-Elements: hyperkey superpower.
  • KeepingYouAwake: sometimes you need to keep Mac awake.
  • Maestral : Dropbox like its 2009, when we were happy and didn’t know it.
  • Mac Mouse Fix: can’t use a 3rd party mouse without this. Love this app.
  • Moom & Rectangle & Wins : back and forward between all.
  • OpenIn 4: default apps for filetypes. Use it for .md and .csv mostly.
  • Shottr: screenshot app I like. Just works for me.
  • Velja: default browser with rules and easy switching.
  • Yoink: too many windows open, where are you going to place that file punk?

Application Settings

• Karabiner:
  • Export and import configuration
• Raycast
  • Settings
• Velja
  • https://sindresorhus.com/velja#faq
• Sublime Text 4
  • • ~/Library/Application Support/Sublime Text/
• Finder Settings:
  • When performing a search: Search the Current Folder
  • Keep folders on top: In windows when sorting by name
• System Library:
  • Remove beep sounds for ^⌘↓ commands on Obsidian/Electron.
• Arc Extensions:
  • Selection to Markdown Link
  • Readwise Highlighter
  • Raindrop.io
  • Omnivore

System Settings

System Setting	Value
Show window title icons	Toggle On
Reduce transparency	Toggle On
Spelling and prediction / Correct spelling automatically	Toggle Off
Spelling and prediction / Capitalize words automatically	Toggle Off
Spelling and prediction / Show inline predictive text	Toggle Off
Spelling and prediction / Add period with double-space	Toggle Off
Hot Corner Shortcuts	remove Quick Note
Force click /Force Click and haptic feedback	Toggle Off
Sound volume /Play feedback when volume is changed	Toggle On

Wallpapers:

• BasicAppleGuy macOS Tiger
• Hector Simpson Aqueux and Wavēy
• Downlink: when hurricane starts, fun way to keep an eye on the world.

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• Updates
  • 2024-06-26: forgot Mac Mouse Fix!
  • 2024-06-28: added OpenIn 4

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