Setting Up Mac for Development [2025]

I recently set up my MacBook Mini (2025, M4, 16GB RAM, 512GB).
Here's my essential toolkit and tweaks to get productive fast.

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🧰 Core Tools

• Homebrew – Package manager for all the good stuff
• zsh – macOS default shell (kept .zshrc minimal for fast startup)
• iTerm2 – A better terminal with profiles and hotkeys
• nvm – Node.js version manager

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🛠 Dev Apps

• Windsurf – My AI code assistant (supports global + project-specific rules)
• WebStorm – My go-to for frontend
• PyCharm – For Python projects
• Rectangle – Snap windows easily
• Flycut – Clipboard history
• Shottr – Fast, flexible screenshot tool

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📦 Daily Drivers

• Notion – Work + personal notes
• Chrome – Default browser
• Spotify – Music hub while coding

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⚙️ Personal Setup

Create a folder to keep all projects organized:

mkdir ~/projects

Speed up keyboard repeat rate:

defaults write -g InitialKeyRepeat -int 15
defaults write -g KeyRepeat -int 1

Disable auto-correct in terminal:

defaults write -g NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled -bool false

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🧠 Windsurf Notes

• Global config file for windsurf
• Project-specific rules: add a .windsurfrules file inside your repo
• You can version control or symlink shared rule sets

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🗝 Bonus Setup

• Xcode Command Line Tools (needed for Git, compilers, etc.)

  xcode-select --install
  

• Git Identity

  git config --global user.name "Your Name"
  git config --global user.email "[email protected]"
  

• SSH Key for GitHub

  ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "[email protected]"
  pbcopy < ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
  

• zsh Aliases for Productivity → Follow this article to add helpful shortcuts and aliases

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📚 Resources

• ZSH Aliases for Productivity
• Swyx: Mac Setup Guide
• GitHub: setup-a-mac-for-frontend-dev