How a Senior Developer Sets Up a New MacBook Pro (Step-by-Step)

I walk you through how I set up a new 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Max chip for software development. I explain why I chose this model and the hardware specs that fit my workflow, balancing portability and power. Then, I dive into installing the essential productivity and developer apps I rely on daily.

If you’re upgrading your Mac or setting up a new machine, this step-by-step guide covers everything from enabling Apple intelligence and using Spotlight shortcuts to configuring your terminal environment. I also share tools that boost productivity, like window managers and database clients, plus how I handle design and video recording on my Mac.

What's inside

• Choosing the MacBook Pro model and hardware specs
• Enabling Apple intelligence and using Spotlight shortcuts
• Installing essential productivity apps like Linear, Slack, Discord, and Notion
• Using Magnet for window management and Screen Studio for video recording
• Installing developer tools: Homebrew, Xcode, Android Studio, Docker
• Setting up Raycast as a powerful Spotlight alternative
• Managing databases with TablePlus and designing with Figma
• Configuring terminal with iTerm and GitHub setup

Choosing the MacBook Pro model and hardware specs

I picked the 14-inch MacBook Pro with the M4 Max chip because it offers a great balance between portability and screen size. The 16-inch model is heavier and less convenient to carry around daily. I also chose the Nano texture display to reduce glare in my bright office, which has many windows.

For storage, I went with 2TB internal, which is essential for my editing and development work. Additionally, I use a 1TB external drive for backups. This setup fits my needs well since I also create content alongside coding. Although the M4 Max might be overkill for some developers, it’s perfect for my multitasking and performance requirements.

Enabling Apple intelligence and using Spotlight shortcuts

One of the first things I do is enable Apple intelligence, which enhances Siri’s capabilities on macOS. This lets me interact with Siri more productively, like summarizing content or helping write better emails. It’s a handy way to get quick assistance without switching apps.

I also rely heavily on Spotlight (Cmd + Space) for launching apps and searching files quickly. A neat trick I showed is pressing Enter twice after opening Spotlight to activate shortcuts. For example, I can type “What time is it in New York?” and get an instant answer without leaving the keyboard. These features speed up daily tasks and keep me focused.

Installing essential productivity apps like Linear, Slack, Discord, and Notion

I install the key apps I use every day for communication and project management. Linear is our issue tracker at Expo and a local-first app that I highly recommend for managing tasks efficiently. Slack and Discord cover team chats and community interactions, so I have both installed.

Notion is my go-to app for notes and organizing ideas. I also install Zoom for meetings when needed. All these apps are downloaded directly from their official websites or the Mac App Store to ensure I get the latest versions. Having these tools ready helps me stay connected and organized.

Using Magnet for window management and Screen Studio for video recording

Magnet is a lightweight window manager I bought from the Mac App Store for about $2. It lets me quickly align windows using keyboard shortcuts like Control + Option + Arrow keys. This makes multitasking easier by efficiently managing screen real estate without manually resizing windows.

Screen Studio is a paid app I use for recording and editing videos. It supports zooming and other effects that improve my content creation workflow. Although it requires a purchase, I find it worth the investment because it simplifies producing high-quality videos. Both apps boost my productivity significantly.

Installing developer tools: Homebrew, Xcode, Android Studio, Docker

I start by installing Homebrew, the package manager for macOS, using the official curl command. Homebrew also installs the Xcode command line tools, which include Git and other essential dependencies for development.

I install Xcode from the App Store to get iOS development tools and simulators. Android Studio is downloaded from its official site for Android development. Docker is installed to run containers locally, which I use for side projects and work environments. This setup covers all my development needs on the Mac.

Setting up Raycast as a powerful Spotlight alternative

Raycast is a productivity app similar to Spotlight but with more advanced features and customization. I install it to speed up searching and running commands on my Mac. Raycast supports custom scripts and integrations that enhance my workflow beyond what Spotlight offers.

It complements Spotlight by providing quick access to apps, files, and system commands with more power and flexibility. Using Raycast helps me stay efficient by reducing the friction of switching contexts or hunting for tools.

Managing databases with TablePlus and designing with Figma

TablePlus is a native database client I use to manage local SQLite and other databases. It provides an easy interface to browse records and run queries, which is very helpful for my local-first app development.

Figma is my design tool for UI and creating thumbnails. It’s a popular interface design app that supports collaboration and prototyping. I use Figma regularly to design app interfaces and visuals, making it an essential part of my creative workflow.

Configuring terminal with iTerm and GitHub setup

I use iTerm as my terminal emulator because of its rich features and customization options. To make setup on new machines easy, I keep my iTerm configuration in a GitHub repository.

This setup includes my Git configuration and terminal preferences, which streamline my development environment. Having these settings version-controlled means I can quickly get a consistent terminal experience on any Mac I use.

Resources

CourseReact Native course

Fundamentals through shipping: the concepts behind the prompts, with lifetime access.

YouTubeHow to Set Up a New MacBook Pro for Development

Step-by-step MacBook Pro setup for developers by Beto.