- Web App Developer Job Description
- Best Tools For Web Developers
- Essential Mac Apps For Web Developers Software
I have to set up a MacBook Pro fairly often - when starting a new job and when buying a new personal computer. I created this article back in 2015 when I got my first Mac and have been updating it ever since with whatever I need as my job evolves. I'm primarily a full-stack web developer, so most of my needs will revolve around JavaScript/Node.js.
Useful menu bar apps are plentiful on the Mac ecosystem, which is problematic for, well, your menu bar. It can get crowded and cluttered in a hurry, so Bartender 3 is an absolute must-have app. The Mac App Store is the place to look if you want to download free Mac apps. With so many free apps already installed on your Mac you might think that there’s not much more you need, but there.
Getting Started
The setup assistant will launch once you turn the computer on. Enter your language, time zone, Apple ID, and so on. The first thing you should do is update macOS to get the latest security updates and patches.
Homebrew
Install the Homebrew package manager. This will allow you to install almost any app from the command line.
Make sure everything is up to date.
Install Apps
Here are some the programs I always install.
Don't install Node.js through Homebrew. Use nvm (below).
Program | Purpose |
---|---|
Visual Studio Code | text editor |
Google Chrome | web browser |
Firefox | web browser |
Opera | web browser |
Rectangle | window resizing |
iTerm2 | terminal |
Docker | development |
VLC Media Player | media player |
Slack | communication |
Keybase | security |
Spotify | music |
Postgres | database |
Postico | database UI |
Postman | API tool |
Shell
Catalina comes with zsh as the default shell. Install Oh My Zsh for sensible defaults.
Node.js
Use Node Version Manager (nvm) to install Node.js. This allows you to easily switch between Node versions, which is essential.
Install
Install the latest version.
Restart terminal and run the final command.
Confirm that you are using the latest version of Node and npm.
Update
For later, here's how to update nvm.
Change version
Here's how to switch to another version and use it.
And to set the default:
Git
The first thing you should do with Git is set your global configuration.
Input your config and create some aliases.
With the above aliases, I can run
git s
instead of git status
, for example. The less I have to type, the happier I am.SSH
Simplify the process of SSHing into other boxes. Create an SSH config file.
Add the following contents, changing the variables for any hosts that you connect to. Using the below will be the same as running
ssh -i ~/.ssh/key.pem [email protected]
..ssh/config
Now just run the alias to connect.
Generate SSH key
![Web Web](/uploads/1/2/6/3/126300811/424406915.jpeg)
You can generate an SSH key to distribute.
Add key.
Settings
I don't like a lot of the Apple defaults so here are the things I always change.
To get the Home folder in the finder, press
CMD + SHIFT + H
and drag the home folder to the sidebar.General
- Set Dark mode
- Make Google Chrome default browser
Dock
- Automatically hide and show Dock
- Show indicators for open applications
Keyboard
- Key Repeat -> Fast
- Delay Until Repeat -> Short
- Disable 'Correct spelling automatically'
- Disable 'Capitalize words automatically'
- Disable 'Add period with double-space'
- Disable 'Use smart quotes and dashes'
Security and Privacy
- Allow apps downloaded from App Store and identified developers
- Turn FileVault On (makes sure SSD is securely encrypted)
- Turn Firewall On (extra security measure)
Sharing
- Change computer name
- Make sure all file sharing is disabled
Users & Groups
- Add 'Rectangle' to Login items
Defaults
A few more commands to change some defaults.
Application Settings
Chrome
Web App Developer Job Description
- Turn off 'Warn before quitting'
- Install uBlock Origin
- Install React DevTools
- Install Redux DevTools
- Install JSONView
- Install DevTools Theme - New Moon
- Settings
- Set theme to 'Dark'
- Go to
chrome://flags
and set Developer Tools Experiments to 'Enabled' - Go to Experiments and select 'Allow custom UI themes'
Best Tools For Web Developers
Visual Studio Code
- Press
CMD + SHIFT + P
and click 'Install code command in PATH'. - Install Prettier
- Install New Moon Theme
- Install GitLens
- Install Highlight Matching Tag
- Keyboard Shortcuts
- Copy Line Down -
CMD + SHIFT + E
- Delete Line -
CMD + SHIFT + D
- Reload Window - Remove Development Mode from When
- Format Document -
CMD + SHIFT + L
- Copy Line Down -
Rectangle
- Full Screen:
CMD + SHIFT + '
(prevents messing with other commands) - Left Half:
CMD + OPTION + LEFT
- Right Half:
CMD + OPTION + RIGHT
iTerm2
- Set tab to open in same location
![Essential Mac Apps For Web Developers Essential Mac Apps For Web Developers](/uploads/1/2/6/3/126300811/912639433.png)
Conclusion
Essential Mac Apps For Web Developers Software
That sums it up for my current preferences on setting up a MacBook Pro. I hope it helped speed up your process or gave you ideas for the next time you're setting one up.