Must-have macOS tools and apps for developers

My list of essential apps to install when getting a new Mac

4
Homebrew
Homebrew

The Missing Package Manager for macOS (or Linux).

AI Work Management & Productivity Tools
Slack

Slack is a new way to communicate with your team. It’s faster, better organized, and more secure than email.

Oh My Zsh
Oh My Zsh

Oh My Zsh is a delightful, open source, community-driven framework for managing your Zsh configuration.

Google Chrome
Google Chrome

Get more done with the new Google Chrome. A more simple, secure, and faster web browser than ever, with Google’s smarts built-in. Download now.

Download ChatGPT
Download ChatGPT

Download ChatGPT Use ChatGPT your way. Talk to type or have a conversation. Take pictures and ask about them.

Hyper™
Hyper™

A terminal built on web technologies

Visual Studio Code
Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is a code editor redefined and optimized for building and debugging modern web and cloud applications. Visual Studio Code is free and available on your favorite platform

Spotify
Spotify

Spotify is a digital music service that gives you access to millions of songs.

GitHub Desktop
GitHub Desktop

GitHub is where people build software. More than 100 million people use GitHub to discover, fork, and contribute to over 420 million projects.

Desktop AI assistant available for Windows and MacOS
Desktop AI assistant available for Windows and MacOS

Get more done with Voilà for Desktop. Available for Windows and MacOS.

Figma: The Collaborative Interface Design Tool
Figma: The Collaborative Interface Design Tool

Figma is the leading collaborative design tool for building meaningful products. Seamlessly design, prototype, develop, and collect feedback in a single platform.

Telegram for macOS
Telegram for macOS

Experience Telegram on your mac in a swift and seamless way.

Docker Desktop: The #1 Containerization Tool for Developers
Docker Desktop: The #1 Containerization Tool for Developers

Docker Desktop is collaborative containerization software for developers. Get started and download Docker Desktop today on Mac, Windows, or Linux.

Discord
Discord

Discord is great for playing games and chilling with friends, or even building a worldwide community. Customize your own space to talk, play, and hang out.

Apps available on the Mac App Store: Slack, WhatsApp, Telegram 

Mac setup checklist:

  • Trackpad: tap to click

  • Enable auto-hiding of Dock

  • Enable Nightshift

  • Add the path to Homebrew: echo 'export PATH="/opt/homebrew/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc

  • Install the "code" CLI command for VS Code (⌘ + Shift + P)

  • Show hidden files: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

  • Show path bar: defaults write com.apple.finder ShowPathbar -bool true

  • Show status bar: defaults write com.apple.finder ShowStatusBar -bool true

To generate an SSH key:
ssh-keygen -t ed25519
tr -d '\n' < ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub | pbcopy