MacOS

73 links • MacOS

I use MacOS as my primary OS on a 2019 16" MacBook Pro.

There are a number of tweaks and settings I toggle on a fresh install which you can view in my dot files. These dotfiles also include scripts to install all of the apps and command line tools I use.

Dock #

I have my dock hidden with no apps in it by default. I launch everything with Alfred

Apps #

You can view a close-to-up-to-date list of apps I install in my brewfile on GitHub.

I use 1Password to manage my passwords, credit cards, and software licences.

Notes, Reminders, Mail and Safari are all my defaults for those tasks.

Gitify puts your Github notifications in the menu bar. Way better than endless emails.

Batteries for Mac shows battery status of my MacBook, keyboard, mouse, and iPhone.

Fantastical is an excellent calendar app. It does have a full app but I never use that.

xbar (formally BitBar) "lets you put the output from any script/program in your macOS menu bar.". I have two plugins: microphone mute and now playing. View my xbar plugins on Github. SwiftBar is another version of BitBar although it wasn't compatible with my plugins.

CleanShot X for screenshots, screen recording, and annotation.

I show and hide certain menu bar apps and icons with Bartender.

Adding Custom Alert Sounds #

Put the audio files in ~/Library/Sounds and they show up in Preferences > Sound > Sound Effects.

List All URL Schemes #

/System/Library/Frameworks/CoreServices.framework/Versions/A/Frameworks/LaunchServices.framework/Versions/A/Support/lsregister -dump URLSchemeBinding

URL Scheme Alfred workflow

Add App to Finder Toolbar #

command ⌘ and drag the app to to Finder toolbar to pin it there.

Developer Folder #

~./Developer has a special icon on MacOS

Zoom in Preview #

Press ` to toggle it

Remove background in Preview #

  1. Select 'Markup'
  2. Select 'Auto Alpha'
  3. Click and drag down to select the desired background
  4. Press delete on the keyboard
  5. Repeat steps 3 & 4 if necessary

Source: 10 Tips - Preview the Mac app people forget about

Built in speed test #

networkQuality -v

Keyboard Navigation in Modals #

System Settings > Keyboard > Keyboard Navigation