Mac Dev Machine Setup

Automated setup and maintenance for macOS development environments using Ansible. This repository helps you quickly set up a new Mac or keep your existing setup up-to-date with a single command.

Features

• 🚀 One-command setup for new Macs
• 🔄 Automated updates for all installed packages
• 🎯 Separate profiles for personal and work environments
• 🔐 Secure handling of API keys and private keys
• ✅ Idempotent operations - run safely multiple times
• 🛡️ Pre-flight validation and backup of existing configs
• 📦 Comprehensive toolset including modern AI tools

Quick Start

New Mac Setup

1. Clone this repository:

   git clone https://github.com/your-username/mac-dev-setup.git
   cd mac-dev-setup

2. Run the bootstrap script:

   ./new-mac.sh

3. Install everything:

   make        # For personal setup
   # OR
   make work   # For work setup

Existing Mac Updates

Update all installed packages:

make update

Available Commands

Command	Description
make	Complete personal setup (all tools + personal apps)
make work	Complete work setup (essential tools only)
make update	Update all installed packages
make check	Dry run to preview changes
make cli	Install command-line tools only
make gui	Install GUI applications only
make osx	Configure macOS system preferences
make dock	Configure dock items
make dotfiles	Sync dotfiles from repository
make fonts	Install developer fonts
make themes	Install terminal themes
make app-store	Install Mac App Store apps
make keys	Install private keys (requires vault password)

What Gets Installed

Development Tools

• Languages: Node.js (via nvm), Go, Rust, Python, Deno
• Package Managers: Homebrew, npm, pnpm, yarn, cargo
• Version Control: Git, GitHub CLI, Sourcetree
• Containers: Docker, Colima, lazydocker
• Databases: PostgreSQL tools, Redis tools, TablePlus

Terminal & Productivity

• Terminals: iTerm2, Alacritty, Ghostty, WezTerm
• Shells: Zsh with Oh My Zsh, Starship prompt
• Multiplexers: tmux, Zellij
• Editors: Neovim, VS Code, Cursor
• CLI Tools: fzf, ripgrep, bat, eza, zoxide, and more

AI & Modern Tools

• AI Assistants: ChatGPT, Claude, Fabric AI
• AI Development: Ollama for local LLMs
• API Testing: Bruno, Postman, HTTPie

System Enhancements

• Window Management: Karabiner Elements
• System Monitoring: Stats, glances, htop
• Security: GPG tools, SSH key management
• Productivity: Raycast, Obsidian, Fantastical

Customization

Modifying Package Lists

Edit defaults.yaml to customize which packages get installed:

cli_packages:
  - your-favorite-cli-tool

gui_packages:
  - your-favorite-app

gui_packages_personal:  # Only installed with 'make'
  - personal-only-app

gui_packages_work:      # Only installed with 'make work'
  - work-only-app

Using Your Own Dotfiles

Update the dotfiles_repo in defaults.yaml:

dotfiles_repo: https://github.com/yourusername/dotfiles.git

API Keys and Secrets

Sensitive data is stored encrypted using Ansible Vault:

1. Create your vault file:

   cp vars/api_keys.yml.example vars/api_keys.yml
   ansible-vault encrypt vars/api_keys.yml

2. Edit the vault:

   ansible-vault edit vars/api_keys.yml

3. Install keys:

   make keys

Validation and Safety

The setup includes several safety features:

• Pre-flight checks: Validates system requirements before running
• Backup creation: Backs up existing SSH/GPG keys before modification
• Disk space check: Warns if disk space is low
• Internet connectivity: Verifies connection before downloading
• Dry run mode: Preview changes with make check

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. "Homebrew not found" after new-mac.sh

   • Restart your terminal or run: source ~/.zshrc

2. "Permission denied" errors

   • The makefile will prompt for sudo password when needed
   • Some operations require admin access

3. App Store apps fail to install

   • Ensure you're signed into the Mac App Store
   • Run mas signin [email protected] first

4. Ansible Galaxy certificate errors

   • We've removed the insecure ignore_certs setting
   • If you have certificate issues, fix your system certificates

Logs and Debugging

• Run with verbose output: ansible-playbook local.yaml -vvv
• Check specific task: make cli or make gui
• Validate syntax: ansible-playbook local.yaml --syntax-check

File Structure

.
├── makefile              # Main interface for all commands
├── new-mac.sh           # Bootstrap script for fresh installs
├── defaults.yaml        # Package lists and configuration
├── local.yaml           # Main Ansible playbook
├── update.yaml          # Update playbook
├── ansible/
│   ├── tasks/          # Individual task files
│   └── templates/      # Configuration templates
└── vars/
    └── api_keys.yml    # Encrypted secrets (create this)

Contributing

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Test your changes with make check
4. Submit a pull request

Requirements

• macOS (tested on macOS 15.0 arm64)
• Internet connection
• Apple ID (for App Store apps)

License

This project is licensed under the MIT License - see the LICENSE file for details.

Acknowledgments

This setup is inspired by various dotfiles repositories and automation scripts from the developer community.