Mac Developer Setup

Step 1: Install Xcode Command Line Tools

These are required for Homebrew and many development tools:

xcode-select --install

A dialog will appear asking you to install the tools. Click Install and agree to the license. This may take 10-15 minutes.

xcode-select -p

Step 2: Install Homebrew

Run the official Homebrew installation script:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

The script will explain what it will do, then pause before continuing. Press Return to proceed.

Important: After installation completes, the script may display commands to add Homebrew to your PATH. Copy and run those commands exactly as shown.

Step 3: Add Homebrew to Your PATH

For Apple Silicon Macs (M1, M2, M3):

echo 'eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.zprofile
eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"

For Intel Macs:

echo 'eval "$(/usr/local/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.zprofile
eval "$(/usr/local/bin/brew shellenv)"

brew --version

brew doctor

Step 1: Install Git

Use Homebrew to install the latest version of Git:

brew install git

git --version

Step 2: Configure Git

Set your name and email address. These will appear in your commits:

git config --global user.name "Your Name"

git config --global user.email "your.email@example.com"

Note: Replace "Your Name" and "your.email@example.com" with your actual name and email.

Step 3: Set Default Branch Name

Configure Git to use main as the default branch name for new repositories:

git config --global init.defaultBranch main

Step 4: Configure Line Endings

Ensure consistent line endings across different operating systems:

git config --global core.autocrlf input

git config --global --list

Step 1: Install Node.js via Homebrew

Install the latest LTS (Long Term Support) version:

brew install node

This installs both Node.js and npm (Node Package Manager).

node --version

npm --version

Step 2: Configure npm

Set npm to use a local directory for global packages to avoid permission issues:

mkdir -p ~/.npm-global
npm config set prefix ~/.npm-global

Add the npm global bin directory to your PATH:

echo 'export PATH=~/.npm-global/bin:$PATH' >> ~/.zprofile
source ~/.zprofile

Step 3: Test npm Installation

Install a global package to verify everything works:

npm install -g typescript

tsc --version

Step 1: Check for Existing SSH Keys

First, check if you already have SSH keys:

ls -la ~/.ssh

If you see files named id_ed25519.pub or id_rsa.pub, you already have SSH keys. You can skip to Step 3 to add them to your services.

Step 2: Generate a New SSH Key

Create a new SSH key using the Ed25519 algorithm (recommended):

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "your.email@example.com"

Note: Replace "your.email@example.com" with your actual email address.

When prompted:

• Enter file in which to save the key: Press Return to accept the default location
• Enter passphrase: Enter a secure passphrase (recommended) or press Return for no passphrase
• Enter same passphrase again: Re-enter your passphrase

ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "your.email@example.com"

Step 3: Add SSH Key to the SSH Agent

Start the SSH agent in the background:

eval "$(ssh-agent -s)"

Expected output: Agent pid xxxxx

Create or modify the SSH config file:

touch ~/.ssh/config
echo "Host *
  AddKeysToAgent yes
  UseKeychain yes
  IdentityFile ~/.ssh/id_ed25519" >> ~/.ssh/config

Note: If you used RSA, replace id_ed25519 with id_rsa.

Add your SSH private key to the agent:

ssh-add --apple-use-keychain ~/.ssh/id_ed25519

Step 4: Copy Your Public Key

Copy your public SSH key to the clipboard:

pbcopy < ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

Your public key is now in your clipboard, ready to add to GitHub, GitLab, or other services.

cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub

Step 5: Add Your SSH Key to GitHub

1. Go to GitHub SSH Keys Settings
2. Click New SSH key
3. Enter a descriptive title (e.g., "My MacBook Pro")
4. Paste your key into the "Key" field (it's already in your clipboard from Step 4)
5. Click Add SSH key

ssh -T git@github.com

Step 6: Add Your SSH Key to GitLab (Optional)

1. Go to GitLab SSH Keys Settings
2. Paste your key into the "Key" field
3. Enter a descriptive title
4. Set an expiration date (optional but recommended)
5. Click Add key

ssh -T git@gitlab.com

Step 1: Install VS Code

Install VS Code using Homebrew Cask:

brew install --cask visual-studio-code

Step 2: Install the code Command

Add the code command to your PATH to open VS Code from the terminal:

1. Open VS Code
2. Press Cmd + Shift + P to open the Command Palette
3. Type "shell command" and select Shell Command: Install 'code' command in PATH
4. Restart your terminal

code --version

code .

Step 3: Install Essential Extensions

Install recommended extensions from the terminal:

Language Support

code --install-extension dbaeumer.vscode-eslint
code --install-extension esbenp.prettier-vscode
code --install-extension ms-python.python
code --install-extension golang.go

Git Integration

code --install-extension eamodio.gitlens
code --install-extension mhutchie.git-graph

Productivity

code --install-extension ms-vscode-remote.remote-ssh
code --install-extension ms-vscode.live-server
code --install-extension PKief.material-icon-theme
code --install-extension oderwat.indent-rainbow

code --list-extensions

Step 4: Configure VS Code Settings

Open VS Code settings file:

code ~/Library/Application\ Support/Code/User/settings.json

Add these recommended settings:

{
  "editor.formatOnSave": true,
  "editor.defaultFormatter": "esbenp.prettier-vscode",
  "editor.tabSize": 2,
  "editor.wordWrap": "on",
  "editor.minimap.enabled": true,
  "files.autoSave": "onFocusChange",
  "terminal.integrated.fontSize": 14,
  "workbench.iconTheme": "material-icon-theme",
  "git.autofetch": true,
  "git.confirmSync": false
}

Note: Adjust these settings based on your preferences.