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Settings in macOS🔗

Open macOS settings: open x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.preference.general

To find the settings you can use the GUI and compare the output of defaults read <domain> before and after the change.

General Settings🔗

FileVault🔗

Enable FileVault for encrypting the SSD in the laptop. Open the settings: open x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.preference.security?FileVault

In order to store the recovery key do this setting via the GUI.

Software Updates🔗

Open software updates: open x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.preferences.softwareupdate

  • Enable automatic install of updates

    sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist "AutomaticDownload" -bool true
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist "AutomaticallyInstallMacOSUpdates" -bool true
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist "ConfigDataInstall" -bool true
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate.plist "CriticalUpdateInstall" -bool true

    Important: The properties are not visible via direct path com.apple.softwareupdate.

Trackpad🔗

Open trackpad settings: open x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.Trackpad-Settings

  • Enable tap to click TODO

  • Disable natural scrolling

    defaults write -g com.apple.swipescrolldirection -bool false

Dock🔗

Open Dock settings: open x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.preference.dock

  • Auto hide the Dock

    defaults write com.apple.dock "autohide" -bool true

  • Do not display recent apps in the Dock

    defaults write com.apple.dock "show-recents" -bool false

  • Disable launch animations and minimize effect

    defaults write com.apple.dock "launchanim" -bool false
defaults write com.apple.dock "mineffect" "scale"

  • Set Dock size and disable magnification

    defaults write com.apple.dock "magnification" -bool false
defaults write com.apple.dock "tilesize" -int 40

  • Minimize windows into application icon

    defaults write com.apple.dock "minimize-to-application" -bool true

  • Group applications in mission control

    defaults write com.apple.dock "expose-group-apps" -bool true

Finally restart the Dock: killall Dock

Desktop & Stage Manager🔗

Open desktop settings (part of Dock settings): open x-apple.systempreferences:com.apple.preference.dock

  • Disable reveal desktop on click

    defaults write com.apple.WindowManager "EnableStandardClickToShowDesktop" -bool false

  • Hide files on desktop and stage manager

    defaults write com.apple.WindowManager "HideDesktop" -bool true
defaults write com.apple.WindowManager "StandardHideDesktopIcons" -bool true

  • Do not show recent apps in stage manager

    defaults write com.apple.WindowManager "AutoHide" -bool true

  • Disable widgets on desktop and stage manager

    defaults write com.apple.WindowManager "StandardHideWidgets" -bool true
defaults write com.apple.WindowManager "StageManagerHideWidgets" -bool true

macOS Applications🔗

Finder🔗

Open Finder setting

osascript \
    -e 'tell application "Finder" to activate' \
    -e 'tell application "System Events" to keystroke "," using command down'

  • Set home directory a default start directory

    defaults write com.apple.finder "NewWindowTarget" "PfHm"

  • Open new folder in new tab

    defaults write com.apple.finder "FinderSpawnTab" -bool true

  • Do not show drives and servers

    defaults write com.apple.finder "ShowExternalHardDrivesOnDesktop" -bool false
defaults write com.apple.finder "ShowHardDrivesOnDesktop" -bool false
defaults write com.apple.finder "ShowMountedServersOnDesktop" -bool false
defaults write com.apple.finder "ShowRemovableMediaOnDesktop" -bool false

  • Do not show a warning when changing file extensions

    defaults write com.apple.finder "FXEnableExtensionChangeWarning" -bool false

  • Set default search scope to current folder

    defaults write com.apple.finder "FXDefaultSearchScope" "SCcf"

  • Remove old files (older than 30 days) from trash

    defaults write com.apple.finder "FXRemoveOldTrashItems" -bool true

  • Show path and status bar

    defaults write com.apple.finder "ShowPathbar" -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder "ShowStatusBar" -bool true

Screenshots🔗

  • Change location for screenshots

    defaults write com.apple.screencapture "location" "~/Downloads/Screenshots"

    You must also create the directory.