Skip to content

Setting Up Mac for Coding

Mac Setup

  1. Check you're admin
  2. Spotlight >> Users & Groups >> Password = Check Allow user to admin this computer
  3. Run following on Terminal sudo plutil -p /var/db/dslocal/nodes/Default/users/root.plist | grep -A 2 passwd
  4. Below output means root user is not enabled.

     "passwd" => [
        0 => "*"
    ]
    
  5. Below output means root user is enabled.

    sh "passwd" => [ 0 => "********" ]

  6. To enable root user, Spotlight >> Directory Utility = Click on the lock at the bottom to unlock it. Edit menu >> Enable Root User

  7. Customize Mac

  8. Finder - Show Finder path in Status bar: View » Show Path Bar - Drag and drop your favourite folders into the left-side Favorites bar e.g. Macintosh HD, Repos. - Show hidden files and folders using Terminal commands:

    ```sh
    defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES
    Killall Finder
    // Then, restart the Finder by holding down Option+Control and clicking the Finder icon in the Dock, then choose Relaunch
    ```
    
  9. Trackpad

    • Spotlight >> Trackpad >> Point & Click = Check Tap to Click
    • Spotlight >> Trackpad >> Point & Click = Un-check Force Click and Haptic Feedback
    • Spotlight >> Trackpad >> Point & Click = Increase Tracking Speed
  10. Keyboard

    • Spotlight >> Keyboard >> Keyboard = Check Use F1,F2 keys as standard keys
    • Spotlight >> Keyboard >> Shortcuts = Double click Show Desktop and hit Cmd+D Screen Shot 2021-12-15 at 7 35 09 AM
  11. Desktop

    • Spotlight >> Desktop & Screensavers >> Screen Saver = Check 'Show with clock'
    • Spotlight >> Desktop & Screensavers >> Screen Saver => Hot Corners
      • Left Bottom = Desktop

      • Right Bottom = Screen Saver

  12. Locking - Spotlight >> Keychain Access >> Preferences = Check 'Show keychain status in menu bar'.

  13. Screen Saver - From Finder >> Go To >> /System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Versions/A/Resources/ (Sierra) - Drag and Drop ScreenSaveEngine app on Dock. - High Sierra = /System/Library/CoreServices/

    1. Development Tools & Settings

    2. VS Code

    3. iTerm2
    4. Sublime
    5. SnagIt
    6. Spectacle
    7. Date-O

Mac Tips

  1. Start-up Programs

    • Spotlight >> Users & Groups >> Login Items = Add apps image
  2. Productivity Tips

    Command Purpose
    CMD+Ctrl+F Full Screen
    Spotlight Find app, use as calculator, dictionary
    File delete Backspace delete
    Back Delete del
    Forward delete fn del
    Capture Screen CMD+SHIFT+4
    Move Up/Down the Folders CMD + Up/Down
    CMD Full
    CMD Full