How I set up a new MacBook

A checklist of apps and settings

System Settings

iCloud

• Log in to iCloud
• Disable iCloud Drive

Appearance

• Set → Auto

Accessibility

• Zoom → Enable Use scroll gesture with modifier key to zoom

Desktop & Dock

• Hot Corners
  – Set bottom-left → Desktop
– Set top left-right → Mission Control

Finder Settings

General

• Show these items on the desktop→ Disable all

Tags

• Disable all

Sidebar

Show these items on the sidebar
✓ Recents
✓ AirDrop
✓ Applications
✓ Desktop
✓ Documents
✓ Downloads
✓ Movies
✓ Hard disks

Advanced

• Enable → Show all filename extensions
• Enable → Remove items from the bin after 30 days

View

• Sort by → Date added

Apps

• Arc Browser
  – Set as default browser
• Spectacle
  – Set to launch at login
• Google Calendar
  – Settings → Default event → Guests can modify
• Spotify
• Notion Calendar
  – Restore original app icon: ⌘K → defaults write app dockIcon style1
• Dropbox
• Raycast
• Rocket Emoji for Mac
• Whatsapp
• FB Messenger
• Setapp
  — Secrets
  — Noteplan
  — Bartender
  — Folx
• Bear Notes
• VLC