Setting Up a MacBook for Coding and Productivity

Introduction

• Presenter: Li
• MacBook Model: M3 Pro MacBook Pro (space black)
• Target Audience: Users with any MacBook model (M1, M2, Intel) + Linux/Windows users (alternatives in description)
• Main Goal: Streamline workflows, make coding efficient, boost productivity

Preferred Browser: Google Chrome

• Why Chrome?
  • Fast, widely used, developed by Google
  • Efficient performance, tabbed browsing, clean interface
  • Integrates Google account (Calendar, Gmail, etc.)
• Extensions and Themes: Favorites
  • Custom Cursor: Customize cursor (Hello Kitty, etc.)
  • Dark Theme V3: Sleek, elegant theme
  • Search GPT: Integrates ChatGPT with search results
  • Marinara Pomodoro Assistant: Timer for Pomodoro technique

Alternative Browser: Brave

• Why Brave?
  • Privacy-focused, built on Chromium
  • Blocks ads, trackers
  • Can use Chrome extensions

Essential Tool: Homebrew

• What is Homebrew?
  • Popular package manager, free and open source
  • Install software and libraries via command line
• Installation Steps:
  • Visit Homebrew website
  • Copy/paste installation code into terminal
  • Follow additional setup instructions

Terminal Options

• Default Terminal: Inbuilt Mac terminal
• Preferred Terminal: Warp
  • Why Warp?
    • Built-in AI, customizable themes
    • Groups commands/outputs into blocks
    • Allows command history, inline text editing
    • AI-assisted commands
  • Installation: Using Homebrew

Code Editor: VS Code

• Why VS Code?
  • Popular among developers, good for data science and academics
  • Extensions for various languages (Python, R, Julia, JavaScript)
• Useful Extensions:
  • Language extensions
  • ChatGPT for quick code solutions
  • Rainbow CSV for data visualization
  • VS Code Pets for fun
  • Icon packs for better file recognition
• Themes and Customization:
  • User-created themes (e.g., genomics PhD code)
  • Icon packs like Animal Crossing

Productivity Apps

1. Notion

• Use Cases: Planning content, gym progress, coding projects
  • Features: Quick access links, project tracking, resource list, code snippets

2. Rectangle

• Function: Split views on MacBook using keyboard shortcuts

3. Communication Apps:

• Slack: For work communication
  • Discord: Coding community server with different channels

General Mac Settings Tips

• Clean Up Dock: Remove unnecessary apps, add frequently used ones
• System Settings Adjustments: Desktop & Dock
  • Adjust Dock position, size, magnification
• Finder Customization:
  • Show Path Bar, Show Status Bar for easier navigation

Conclusion

• Feedback Request: Comment apps/tips that might be missing
• Note: Video on VS Code setup and tutorial coming soon