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Sixarm Mac Setup

How to set up a new Mac computer that is running macOS? These notes show how our teams do it.

• These notes start with the basics that are good for everyone.

• We use Apple macOS 10.12 a.k.a. Sierra. We expect most of these notes will work on many versions of macOS.

Turn on your computuer

When you turn the computer on, the Setup Assistant launches.

• Enter your language, time zone, Apple ID, and so on.

• If you already use a different Mac computer, and you want to do a migration of all your files, then you can use the “Migration Assistant”. We prefer to skip this; we prefer to set up the computer from scratch.

• Register for a personal Apple Id, if you don't already have one.

• If you want to use iCloud, then do so.

Do a software update

Choose the Apple menu, then "Software Update...".

• This step downloads all the current updates for your system, such as bug fixes, security patches, and feature improvements.

• This step may take a while because macOS updates tend to be large to download.

Enable FileVault security

Choose the Apple menu, then choose "System Preferences....", then "FileVault", then turn it on.

• This step encrypts your entire drive.

• This step may take a while because macOS is adding encryption to your entire system.

Connect your iPhone, iPad, etc.

Do you want to sync an iPhone, iPad, or other device? If so, connect these now.

• You may want to launch iTunes, because this shows you what is synchronizing, and this can also make a backup of your device.

Set Preferences & Defaults

We set a bunch of system preferences to customize our Desktop, Dock, Keyboard, Sound, and so on.

• If you are a typical user, then you can pick and choose from our complete list of System Preferences

• If you are an advanced user, then you may prefer to run our defaults script.

Applications

We use many applications.

• If you are a typical user, then you can pick and choose using our list of App Store apps and Applications that we download.

• If you are an advanced user, then you may prefer to use our scripts for brew, cask, mas, and so on; see below for these.

Advanced Users

Admin

Ensure our current user account can administer the system:

• Preferences > Users & Groups
• Pick our user
• Check "Allow user to administer this computer"

If we're getting the computer from another user, we can adjust ownership and permissions:

sudo touch /usr/local/{Cellar,Library/LinkedKegs} &&
sudo chown -R root:admin /usr/local/{Cellar,Library/LinkedKegs,man,share/man} &&
sudo find /usr/local/{Cellar,Library/LinkedKegs,man,share/man} -type d -exec chmod 775 {} \;

Environment

We manage the system environment here:

edit /etc/environment

Example:

PATH=/usr/local/bin:/usr/bin:/bin:/usr/local/sbin:/usr/sbin:/sbin:/opt/sm/bin:/opt/sm/pkg/active/bin:/opt/sm/pkg/active/sbin

Load:

source /etc/environment

MAS: Mac App Store

MAS is very useful for installing many apps.

• MAS: Mac App Store command line interface

Developer software and notes

• xcode.md: Xcode development tools
• git.md: Git version control
• brew.md: Brew Mac package manager
• adium.md: Adium instant messenger settings
• osx-cpu-temp.md: Command to show the OSX CPU temperature
• karabiner.md: Karabiner changes the key "caps lock" to "control" and "escape".

Database setup

• mysql.md: MySQL database
• postgres: Postgres database, including Ruby pg gem

Programming software and notes

• gcc.md: Gnu Compiler Collection
• emacs.md: Emacs text editor
• iterm2.md: iTerm2 terminal emulator for Unix shell commands
• ruby.md: Ruby programming
• java.md: Java programming
• chef.md: Chef system manager
• virtualhosts.md: Virtual hosts

Spotlight

Skip the Spotlight search index on these folders:

• spotlightexcludefolder_list.txt

See Also

• Setting up a Brand New Mac for Development by Tania Rascia