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Setup New Mac Mini M1

— macmini — 11 min read

Recently, I just brought a new Mac Mini with the M1 chip. Thought it would be nice to make a post about how I set up my development machine from the ground up.

For the software compatibility, you can use this website to check.

Install Homebrew

The first software to install for me always is Homebrew.

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

Install git & vim & openjdk

brew install git
brew install vim
brew install openjdk

Setup Git config

git config --global user.name "Lee Xiang Wei"
git config --global user.email "xwlee2009@gmail.com"
# Aliases
git config --global alias.co checkout
git config --global alias.br branch
git config --global alias.ci commit
git config --global alias.st status
git config --global alias.unstage 'reset HEAD --'

Install Node.js via nvm

brew install nvm
# You should create NVM's working directory if it doesn't exist:
mkdir ~/.nvm

Add the following to ~/.zshrc or your desired shell configuration file:

export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"
[ -s "/opt/homebrew/opt/nvm/nvm.sh" ] && \. "/opt/homebrew/opt/nvm/nvm.sh"  # This loads nvm
[ -s "/opt/homebrew/opt/nvm/etc/bash_completion.d/nvm" ] && \. "/opt/homebrew/opt/nvm/etc/bash_completion.d/nvm"  # This loads nvm bash_completion

Install LTS version node.

nvm install --LTS

Install yarn.

brew install yarn

Install Docker Desktop for Apple silicon

Download from https://docs.docker.com/docker-for-mac/apple-m1/

Install other software

brew install --cask google-chrome
brew install --cask brave-browser
brew install --cask firefox
brew install --cask iterm2
brew install --cask alfred
brew install --cask keka # File archiver
brew install --cask vlc # Video player
brew install --cask thunder # Downloader
brew install --cask visual-studio-code
brew install --cask adobe-acrobat-reader
brew install --cask sequel-pro
brew install --cask postman
brew install --cask spotify
brew install --cask appcleaner
brew install --cask numi # Calculator
brew install --cask notion
brew install --cask mark-text # Markdown editor
brew install --cask fliqlo # Screensavers
brew install --cask keepingyouawake # Utility the prevent Mac from entering sleep mode
brew tap homebrew/cask-fonts
brew install --cask font-jetbrains-mono # The programming font I use

Install prezto

prezto is the configuration framework for Zsh shell.

It comes with modules and themes that allow you to customize your terminal.

To install prezto, run

git clone --recursive https://github.com/sorin-ionescu/prezto.git "${ZDOTDIR:-$HOME}/.zprezto"

Copy the configuration files

setopt EXTENDED_GLOB
for rcfile in "${ZDOTDIR:-$HOME}"/.zprezto/runcoms/^README.md(.N); do
  ln -s "$rcfile" "${ZDOTDIR:-$HOME}/.${rcfile:t}"
done

Append this to your .zprofile to make sure brew binary can be called when open new terminal.

eval $(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)

Update .zprofile and change below section to vim

...
export EDITOR='vim'
export VISUAL='vim'
...

Select a theme for your terminal

To list all the available themes

prompt -l

To preview a theme

prompt -p <theme>

To set a theme

prompt -s <theme>

Example themes themes

Install a module for your terminal

You can browse here for the available modules

To add a new module, open ~/.zpreztorc and add the module to the following section

...
zstyle ':prezto:load' pmodule \
  'environment' \
  'terminal' \
  'editor' \
  'history' \
  'directory' \
  'spectrum' \
  'utility' \
  'completion' \
  'prompt' \
  # Add new module here
...

Then you need to reload ~/.zpreztorc

source ~/.zpreztorc

Install vundle, the plugin manager for vim

git clone https://github.com/VundleVim/Vundle.vim.git ~/.vim/bundle/Vundle.vim

Add below code to the top of your .vimrc, these are the plugins I used. Feel free to change the plugin.

" Make Vim more useful
set nocompatible
filetype off


" Set the runtime path to include Vundle and initialize
set rtp+=~/.vim/bundle/Vundle.vim
call vundle#begin()
" Alternatively, pass a path where Vundle should install plugins
"call vundle#begin('~/some/path/here')


" Let Vundle manage Vundle, required
Plugin 'gmarik/Vundle.vim'


Plugin 'altercation/Vim-colors-solarized'
Plugin 'ervandew/supertab'
Plugin 'kien/ctrlp.vim'
Plugin 'Lokaltog/powerline', {'rtp': 'powerline/bindings/vim/'}
Plugin 'Raimondi/delimitMate'
Plugin 'scrooloose/nerdtree'
Plugin 'scrooloose/nerdcommenter'
Plugin 'tpope/vim-surround'


" All of your Plugins must be added before the following line
call vundle#end()
filetype plugin indent on


" Use the Solarized Dark theme
set background=dark
colorscheme solarized
let g:solarized_termtrans=1
let g:solarized_visibility="high"
let g:solarized_contrast="high"
"let g:solarized_termcolors=256


" Use the OS clipboard by default (on versions compiled with `+clipboard`)
set clipboard=unnamed
" Enchance command-line completion
set wildmenu
" Allow cursor keys in insert mode
set esckeys
" Allow backspace in insert mode
set backspace=indent,eol,start
" Optimize for fast terminal connections
set ttyfast
" Add the g flag to search/replace by default
set gdefault
" Use UTF-8 without BOM
set encoding=utf-8 nobomb
" Change mapleader
let mapleader=","
let g:mapleader=","
" Don't add empty newlines at the end of lines
set binary
set noeol
" Centralize backups, swapfiles and undo history
set backupdir=~/.vim/backups
set directory=~/.vim/swaps
if exists("&undodir")
    set undodir=~/.vim/undo
endif


" Don’t create backups when editing files in certain directories
set backupskip=/tmp/*,/private/tmp/*


" Respect modeline in files
set modeline
set modelines=4
" Enable per-directory .vimrc files and disable unsafe commands in them
set exrc
set secure
" Enable line numbers
set number
" Enable syntax highlighting
syntax on
" Highlight current line
set cursorline
" Show invisible characters
set list
set listchars=tab:▸\ ,eol:¬,nbsp:⋅,trail:•
" Highlight searches
set hlsearch
" Ignore case of searches
set ignorecase
" Highlight dynamically as pattern is typed
set incsearch
" Always show status line
set laststatus=2
" Enable mouse in all modes
set mouse=a
" Disable error bells
set noerrorbells
" Don't reset cursor to start of line when moving around.
set nostartofline
" Show the cursor position
set ruler
" Don't show the intro message when starting Vim
set shortmess=atI
" Show the current mode
set showmode
" Show the filename in the window titlebar
set title
" Show the (partial) command as it's being typed
set showcmd
" Starting scrolling eight lines before the horizontal window border
set scrolloff=8


" Indentation
set tabstop=4
set expandtab " Tab in insert mode will produce the appropriate number of spaces
set softtabstop=4 " Controls how many spaces will be used with expandtab
set shiftwidth=4 " Controls how many columns text is indented with the reindent operation (<< and >>)
set autoindent " Copies the indentation level from the previous line
set smartindent " Do smart autoindenting when starting a new line, e.g. after `{` and before `}`
set pastetoggle=<F5>


" Strip trailing whitespace (,ss)
function! StripWhitespace()
    let save_cursor = getpos(".")
    let old_query = getreg('/')
    :%s/\s\+$//e
    call setpos('.', save_cursor)
    call setreg('/', old_query)
endfunction
noremap <leader>ss :call StripWhitespace()<CR>


" Save a file as root (,W)
noremap <leader>W :w !sudo tee % > /dev/null<CR>


if has("autocmd")
    " Treat .json files as .js
    autocmd BufNewFile,BufRead *.json setfiletype json syntax=javascript
    " Treat .md files as Markdown
    autocmd BufNewFile,BufRead *.md setlocal filetype=markdown
    " Add spell checking and automatic wrapping at the recommended 72 columns
    autocmd Filetype gitcommit setlocal spell textwidth=72
    " 2-space for YAML
    autocmd Filetype yaml setlocal ts=2 sts=2 sw=2 expandtab
    " 2-space for JavaScript
    autocmd Filetype javascript setlocal ts=2 sts=2 sw=2 expandtab
endif


" Remove search results
command! H let @/=""


" Fast saves
nmap <leader>w :w!<CR>


" Change directory to the file being edited
nmap <leader>cd :cd %:p:h<CR>:pwd<CR>


" Down is really the next line
nnoremap j gj
nnoremap k gk


" Easy escaping to normal mode
imap jj <ESC>


" Auto change directory to match current file ,cd
nnoremap ,cd :cd %:p:h<CR>:pwd<CR>


" Easier window navigation
nmap <C-h> <C-w>h
nmap <C-j> <C-w>j
nmap <C-k> <C-w>k
nmap <C-l> <C-w>l


" Resize vsplit
nmap <C-v> :vertical resize +5<CR>


nmap <C-b> :NERDTreeToggle<CR>
let NERDTreeShowHidden=1


let g:ctrlp_show_hidden = 1


" Create split below
nnoremap :sp :rightbelow sp<CR>


" Open splits
nmap vs :vsplit<CR>
nmap sp :split<CR>


" Create/edit file in the current directory
nmap :ed :edit %:p:h/


" Moving selection
xmap <C-k> :mo'<-- <CR> gv
xmap <C-j> :mo'>+ <CR> gv


" Easy access to the vimrc
nnoremap <leader>ev :vsplit $MYVIMRC<cr>
" Reload vimrc
nnoremap <leader>rv :source $MYVIMRC<cr>

To install from command line, run:

vim +PluginInstall +qall

Setup Solarized theme in iTerm2

Save the theme to your machine, then import then into the color preset.

Setup Mac OS

###############################################################################
# General UI/UX                                                               #
###############################################################################


# Expand save panel by default
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode -bool true
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode2 -bool true


# Expand print panel by default
defaults write NSGlobalDomain PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint -bool true
defaults write NSGlobalDomain PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint2 -bool true


# Save to disk (not to iCloud) by default
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSDocumentSaveNewDocumentsToCloud -bool false


# Disable automatic capitalization as it’s annoying when typing code
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticCapitalizationEnabled -bool false


# Disable smart dashes as they’re annoying when typing code
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticDashSubstitutionEnabled -bool false


# Disable automatic period substitution as it’s annoying when typing code
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticPeriodSubstitutionEnabled -bool false


# Disable smart quotes as they’re annoying when typing code
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticQuoteSubstitutionEnabled -bool false


# Disable auto-correct
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled -bool false


###############################################################################
# Trackpad, mouse, keyboard, Bluetooth accessories, and input                 #
###############################################################################


# Increase sound quality for Bluetooth headphones/headsets
defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Apple Bitpool Min (editable)" -int 40


# Disable press-and-hold for keys in favor of key repeat
defaults write NSGlobalDomain ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false


# Set a blazingly fast keyboard repeat rate
defaults write NSGlobalDomain KeyRepeat -int 1
defaults write NSGlobalDomain InitialKeyRepeat -int 10


# Show language menu in the top right corner of the boot screen
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow showInputMenu -bool true


###############################################################################
# Screen                                                                      #
###############################################################################


# Save screenshots in PNG format (other options: BMP, GIF, JPG, PDF, TIFF)
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type -string "png"


# Disable shadow in screenshots
defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool true


# Enable subpixel font rendering on non-Apple LCDs
# Reference: https://github.com/kevinSuttle/macOS-Defaults/issues/17#issuecomment-266633501
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleFontSmoothing -int 1


# Enable HiDPI display modes (requires restart)
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver DisplayResolutionEnabled -bool true


###############################################################################
# Finder                                                                      #
###############################################################################


# Finder: allow quitting via ⌘ + Q; doing so will also hide desktop icons
defaults write com.apple.finder QuitMenuItem -bool true


# Finder: disable window animations and Get Info animations
defaults write com.apple.finder DisableAllAnimations -bool true


# Set Desktop as the default location for new Finder windows
# For other paths, use `PfLo` and `file:///full/path/here/`
defaults write com.apple.finder NewWindowTarget -string "PfDe"
defaults write com.apple.finder NewWindowTargetPath -string "file://${HOME}/Desktop/"


# Finder: show all filename extensions
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleShowAllExtensions -bool true


# Finder: show status bar
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowStatusBar -bool true


# Finder: show path bar
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowPathbar -bool true


# Keep folders on top when sorting by name
defaults write com.apple.finder \_FXSortFoldersFirst -bool true


# When performing a search, search the current folder by default
defaults write com.apple.finder FXDefaultSearchScope -string "SCcf"


# Disable the warning when changing a file extension
defaults write com.apple.finder FXEnableExtensionChangeWarning -bool false


# Avoid creating .DS_Store files on network or USB volumes
defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores -bool true
defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteUSBStores -bool true


# Automatically open a new Finder window when a volume is mounted
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages auto-open-ro-root -bool true
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages auto-open-rw-root -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder OpenWindowForNewRemovableDisk -bool true


# Show item info near icons on the desktop and in other icon views
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:showItemInfo true" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:showItemInfo true" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:showItemInfo true" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist


# Show item info to the right of the icons on the desktop
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:labelOnBottom false" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist


# Enable snap-to-grid for icons on the desktop and in other icon views
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:arrangeBy grid" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:arrangeBy grid" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:arrangeBy grid" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist


# Increase grid spacing for icons on the desktop and in other icon views
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:gridSpacing 100" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:gridSpacing 100" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:gridSpacing 100" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist


# Increase the size of icons on the desktop and in other icon views
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:iconSize 80" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:iconSize 80" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:iconSize 80" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist


# Use list view in all Finder windows by default
# Four-letter codes for the other view modes: `icnv`, `clmv`, `glyv`
defaults write com.apple.finder FXPreferredViewStyle -string "Nlsv"


# Expand the following File Info panes:
# “General”, “Open with”, and “Sharing & Permissions”
defaults write com.apple.finder FXInfoPanesExpanded -dict \
 General -bool true \
 OpenWith -bool true \
 Privileges -bool true


###############################################################################
# Dock, Dashboard, and hot corners                                            #
###############################################################################


# Change minimize/maximize window effect
defaults write com.apple.dock mineffect -string "scale"


# Minimize windows into their application’s icon
defaults write com.apple.dock minimize-to-application -bool true


# Don’t animate opening applications from the Dock
defaults write com.apple.dock launchanim -bool false


# Speed up Mission Control animations
defaults write com.apple.dock expose-animation-duration -float 0.1


# Remove the auto-hiding Dock delay
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-delay -float 0


# Remove the animation when hiding/showing the Dock
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -float 0


# Automatically hide and show the Dock
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool true


# Don’t show recent applications in Dock
defaults write com.apple.dock show-recents -bool false


###############################################################################
# Activity Monitor                                                            #
###############################################################################


# Show the main window when launching Activity Monitor
defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor OpenMainWindow -bool true


# Visualize CPU usage in the Activity Monitor Dock icon
defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor IconType -int 5


# Sort Activity Monitor results by CPU usage
defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor SortColumn -string "CPUUsage"
defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor SortDirection -int 0