Mac Setup Automation Script

A comprehensive automation script for setting up a fresh macOS installation with development tools, productivity apps, and custom system configurations.

Features

• 🚀 Automated Installation: One command to set up your entire development environment
• 🔧 Modular Design: Run specific components independently
• 🔄 Idempotent: Safe to run multiple times without duplicating installations
• 📝 Comprehensive Logging: Detailed logs of all operations
• 🧪 Dry-Run Mode: Test the script without making actual changes
• ⚡ Modern Tools: Replaces traditional Unix tools with modern alternatives
• 🔮 Future-Proof: Compatible with macOS 15.x through latest beta versions

Prerequisites

• macOS 15.x or later (tested on macOS Sequoia 15.1+)
• Compatible with newer macOS versions including beta releases
• Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3/M4) recommended - Script is optimized for arm64 architecture
• Intel Macs supported with limited functionality
• Administrator privileges
• Internet connection
• Apple ID (for Mac App Store apps)

Note for Beta Users: While this script is designed to work with the latest macOS beta versions (including macOS 26.x), some settings may behave differently on untested versions. The script includes robust error handling to gracefully handle incompatibilities.

Note for Intel Mac Users: This script is optimized for Apple Silicon Macs. While it will work on Intel Macs, some features and performance optimizations are specific to arm64 architecture. The script will display a warning if run on Intel hardware.

Quick Start

1. Clone this repository:

git clone https://github.com/yourusername/mac-setup.git
cd mac-setup

2. Make the script executable:

chmod +x setup-mac.sh

3. Run the setup script:

./setup-mac.sh

Usage Options

Full Installation

./setup-mac.sh

Dry-Run Mode

Test the script without making any changes:

./setup-mac.sh --dry-run

Run Specific Components

Install only selected components:

./setup-mac.sh --only homebrew,settings,shell

Available components:

• xcode - Xcode Command Line Tools
• homebrew - Homebrew package manager
• settings - macOS system preferences
• mas - Mac App Store apps
• brew-packages - Homebrew packages and casks
• native-apps - Native applications (Perplexity, Chrome, boringNotch, Synergy)
• shell - Shell environment (Oh-My-Zsh, Powerlevel10k)
• dotfiles - Configuration files (.zshrc, .gitconfig)
• bun-packages - Bun global packages
• app-replacements - App replacements (Raycast, Warp)
• defaults - Default applications

What Gets Installed

System Configuration

• ✅ Automatic architecture detection (Apple Silicon vs Intel)
• ✅ Rosetta 2 installation on Apple Silicon for x86_64 compatibility
• ✅ Architecture-specific native app downloads
• ✅ iCloud Drive for Desktop & Documents
• ✅ Hidden files visible in Finder
• ✅ File extensions shown
• ✅ Auto-hiding Dock
• ✅ Disabled desktop widgets

Development Tools

• Architecture Support: Automatic detection and optimization for Apple Silicon (arm64) and Intel (x86_64)
• Rosetta 2: Automatically installed on Apple Silicon for x86_64 compatibility
• Languages: Node.js, Bun, PHP 8.4, Go, Rust, PowerShell
• Version Control: Git, GitHub CLI, GitHub, GitKraken, Chezmoi, LazyGit
• Cloud Tools: AWS CLI, Vultr CLI, DigitalOcean CLI (doctl), Google Cloud CLI, Azure CLI, Oracle Cloud CLI, Linode CLI, Cloudflare CLI
• Infrastructure as Code: Terraform, Ansible, Packer
• Kubernetes: kubectl, Helm, k9s
• Security: 1Password CLI, Trivy, Grype
• CI/CD: act (GitHub Actions locally)
• Editors: VS Code Insiders, Claude
• Containers: Docker
• API Testing: Insomnia
• Database Tools: Beekeeper Studio, DataGrip
• Mobile Development: Android Command Line Tools
• Java Runtime: Temurin (Eclipse Temurin JDK)

Terminal & Shell

• Terminal: Warp (replaces default Terminal)
• Shell: Zsh with Oh-My-Zsh
• Theme: Powerlevel10k
• Modern CLI Tools:
  • eza → replaces ls
  • bat → replaces cat
  • fd → replaces find
  • ripgrep → replaces grep
  • fzf → fuzzy finder
  • rar → archive utility

Productivity Apps

• Launcher: Raycast (replaces Spotlight)
• Password Manager: 1Password
• VPN: Tailscale, Proton VPN
• Email: Proton Mail
• Cloud Storage: Filen
• Screenshot: Shotrr
• Communication: Discord, Slack
• Remote Desktop: Parsec
• Keyboard & Mouse Sharing: Synergy
• Utilities: Raspberry Pi Imager, Elgato Camera Hub, OrcaSlicer, AppLite, Ice (Beta), AppCleaner, DockDoor

Mac App Store Apps

• Infuse 7 - Media player
• Magnet - Window management
• Unsplash Wallpapers - Dynamic wallpapers
• HP Print and Support - HP printer support
• UHF Love Your IPTV - IPTV player
• Amphetamine - Keep your Mac awake
• Paste - Limitless Clipboard - Clipboard manager

Browsers

• Perplexity Comet (set as default)
• Google Chrome

Fonts

• Fira Code Nerd Font
• JetBrains Mono Nerd Font
• Meslo LG Nerd Font

Bun Global Packages

• @cloudflare/claude-code - Claude CLI
• @openai/codex - OpenAI Codex
• @google/gemini-cli - Google Gemini CLI
• ccusage - Code complexity analyzer
• @githubnext/copilot-cli - GitHub Copilot CLI
• @kilocode/cli@alpha - Kilocode CLI

Shell Aliases

The script configures useful aliases in .zshrc:

File Operations

ls    # eza with icons
ll    # long format with icons
la    # show all including hidden
lt    # tree view with icons

Package Managers

npm   # → bun
npx   # → bunx
yarn  # → bun
pnpm  # → bun

Git Shortcuts

gs    # git status
ga    # git add
gc    # git commit
gco   # git checkout
gb    # git branch
gp    # git push
gl    # git log (formatted)
lg    # lazygit (terminal UI for git)

Docker & Kubernetes Shortcuts

# Docker
dps   # docker ps
dpsa  # docker ps -a
di    # docker images
dex   # docker exec -it
dlog  # docker logs -f

# Kubernetes
k     # kubectl
kgp   # kubectl get pods
kgs   # kubectl get services
kgd   # kubectl get deployments
kdp   # kubectl describe pod
kl    # kubectl logs -f
k9s   # Kubernetes terminal UI

Post-Installation Steps

After running the script, complete these manual steps:

1. Sign In to Applications

• 1Password
• Tailscale
• Proton Mail & VPN
• Discord
• Filen
• Insomnia
• Slack
• Synergy (for keyboard and mouse sharing setup)
• Cloud providers (AWS, Azure, Google Cloud, DigitalOcean, Vultr, Oracle Cloud, Linode, Cloudflare)

2. Configure Raycast

• Open Raycast preferences
• Set hotkey to Cmd+Space
• Import your settings/extensions
• Configure workflows

3. IDE Setup

VS Code Insiders:

• Sign in with GitHub for settings sync
• Install your preferred extensions

DataGrip:

• Activate license or start trial
• Connect to your databases
• Import data sources if migrating

4. Configure Cloud & Infrastructure Tools

# Cloud Provider CLIs
aws configure              # AWS
az login                   # Azure
gcloud init                # Google Cloud
doctl auth init            # DigitalOcean
vultr-cli configure        # Vultr
oci setup config           # Oracle Cloud
linode-cli configure       # Linode
cloudflare-cli login       # Cloudflare

# Security & Password Management
op signin                  # 1Password

# Kubernetes
kubectl config view        # View kubectl configuration
helm repo add stable https://charts.helm.sh/stable  # Add Helm repo

# Infrastructure as Code
terraform init             # Initialize Terraform (in project directory)
ansible --version          # Verify Ansible installation

5. Generate SSH Keys

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

6. Update Git Configuration

Edit ~/.gitconfig with your information:

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

7. Security & Vulnerability Scanning

# Scan container images for vulnerabilities
trivy image <image-name>

# Scan for vulnerabilities with Grype
grype <image-name>

# Run GitHub Actions locally
act --list              # List available actions
act pull_request       # Run PR workflow

8. Configure Android Development (Optional)

# Accept Android SDK licenses
sdkmanager --licenses

9. Restart Your Mac

Some settings require a restart to take full effect.

Apple Silicon & Rosetta 2 Support

Architecture Detection

The script automatically detects your Mac's architecture (Apple Silicon or Intel) and optimizes the installation accordingly.

On Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3/M4):

• ✅ Automatic Rosetta 2 installation for x86_64 compatibility
• ✅ Native arm64 binaries for optimal performance
• ✅ Architecture-specific app downloads (Synergy, etc.)
• ✅ Homebrew configured for arm64 (/opt/homebrew)

On Intel Macs:

• ⚠️ Warning displayed (script optimized for Apple Silicon)
• ✅ x86_64 binaries used throughout
• ✅ Homebrew configured for x86_64 (/usr/local)
• ❌ Rosetta 2 installation skipped (not needed)

Rosetta 2 Installation

What is Rosetta 2? Rosetta 2 is Apple's translation layer that allows x86_64 (Intel) applications to run on Apple Silicon Macs. It's automatically installed by this script on Apple Silicon to ensure maximum compatibility with legacy software.

Installation Process:

1. Detected during Xcode Command Line Tools installation
2. Installed silently with automatic license agreement
3. Takes 1-3 minutes depending on internet speed
4. No user interaction required

Manual Installation (if needed):

softwareupdate --install-rosetta --agree-to-license

Verification:

# Check if Rosetta 2 is installed
arch -x86_64 /usr/bin/true && echo "Rosetta 2 is installed" || echo "Rosetta 2 is not installed"

Architecture-Specific Features

The script intelligently handles architecture differences:

Feature	Apple Silicon	Intel
Homebrew Location	/opt/homebrew	/usr/local
Rosetta 2	Auto-installed	Not needed
Native Apps	arm64 versions	x86_64 versions
Performance	Optimized	Standard
Docker Containers	Can run both arm64 & x86_64	x86_64 only

Customization

Modifying Package Lists

Edit the package arrays in functions/packages.sh:

declare -a languages=(
    "node"
    "bun"
    "python3"  # Add new language
)

Adding Custom Aliases

Edit functions/shell-config.sh to add your own aliases in the .zshrc configuration.

Changing System Preferences

Modify functions/macos-settings.sh to adjust macOS configurations.

Troubleshooting

Script Fails to Run

• Ensure you have administrator privileges
• Check internet connection
• Review the log file in logs/ directory

Architecture Detection Issues

# Check your Mac's architecture
uname -m
# Output: arm64 (Apple Silicon) or x86_64 (Intel)

# Verify the script detects it correctly
./setup-mac.sh --dry-run

Rosetta 2 Installation Fails

If Rosetta 2 installation fails on Apple Silicon:

# Try manual installation
softwareupdate --install-rosetta --agree-to-license

# If that fails, try the interactive version
softwareupdate --install-rosetta

# Verify installation
arch -x86_64 /usr/bin/true && echo "Success" || echo "Failed"

Note: The script will continue even if Rosetta 2 installation fails. You can install it manually later if needed.

Homebrew Installation Issues

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

# For Apple Silicon, add to PATH
echo 'eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.zprofile
eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"

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

# Then re-run specific components
./setup-mac.sh --only brew-packages

Intel Mac Performance

If running on an Intel Mac:

• The warning about optimization for Apple Silicon is informational
• All core functionality will still work
• Some apps may have better performance on Apple Silicon
• Consider the script will continue without issues

Raycast Not Replacing Spotlight

1. Open System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts
2. Disable Spotlight shortcuts manually
3. Open Raycast and set Cmd+Space as hotkey

Default Browser Not Changing

# Install and use macdefaultbrowser tool
brew install https://raw.githubusercontent.com/twardoch/macdefaultbrowser/main/macdefaultbrowser.rb --build-from-source
macdefaultbrowser comet

Logs

All operations are logged to logs/setup-YYYY-MM-DD-HHMMSS.log. Review this file if you encounter any issues.

Contributing

Feel free to submit issues and pull requests to improve this script.

License

MIT License - feel free to use and modify as needed.

Version Compatibility

Tested Versions

• ✅ macOS Sequoia 15.1
• ✅ macOS Sequoia 15.x series

Supported Versions

• macOS 15.x and later (including beta versions)
• The script includes version detection and will inform you if you're running on an untested version
• Newer macOS versions (16.x, 26.x, etc.) should work with graceful degradation for unsupported settings

Known Limitations on Beta Versions

When running on beta or newer untested macOS versions, you may encounter:

1. System Settings Changes: Some defaults commands may not work if Apple has changed domain names or keys
2. Permission Changes: Beta versions may have stricter security requirements
3. Deprecated Settings: Some settings may no longer be available or may use different mechanisms

The script handles these gracefully by:

• Logging warnings for failed settings (without stopping execution)
• Continuing with installation even if some configurations fail
• Providing clear error messages about what didn't work

Troubleshooting for Newer macOS Versions

Settings Not Applying

If some settings don't apply on your macOS version:

# Run in dry-run mode first to see what would happen
./setup-mac.sh --dry-run

# Check the log file for warnings about failed settings
tail -f logs/setup-*.log | grep "Failed to set"

Version-Specific Issues

For macOS 16.x and later:

• Some Finder settings may use different domain names
• Widget settings might have moved to a different preference pane
• Check System Settings manually for settings that didn't apply

For beta versions:

• Security settings may require manual approval in System Settings
• Some automation features may be disabled by default
• You may need to grant additional permissions

Getting Help

If you encounter issues on a specific macOS version:

1. Check the log file in logs/ directory
2. Look for "Failed to set" warnings
3. Manually verify which settings didn't apply
4. Settings can be manually configured in System Settings if needed

The core functionality (Homebrew, packages, applications) should work regardless of macOS version, as these rely on package managers rather than system settings.

Acknowledgments

• Oh My Zsh for the amazing shell framework
• Powerlevel10k for the beautiful theme
• Homebrew for simplifying macOS package management
• All the amazing open-source tool authors

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Note: This script is designed for macOS 15.x and later. While it includes support for newer versions and betas, some features may work differently on untested versions. The script will inform you if you're running on a newer version and handle incompatibilities gracefully. Always review the script and run in --dry-run mode first when using on beta versions.