Macose - macOS Developer Environment Setup

Automated and opinionated macOS developer environment installer with 70+ development tools and applications. Like omacose dining where you trust the chef's expertise, Macose curates and installs a complete development workstation with modern CLI tools, programming languages, editors, browsers, and productivity apps using a manifest-driven architecture.

Quick Start

curl -fsSL https://peek-tech.github.io/macose/install | bash

The installer downloads the repository to ~/.local/share/macose and executes installation scripts automatically based on a JSON manifest.

⚠️ Interactive Installation Required

This is NOT a hands-off installation. You must be present during the process for:

• Multiple sudo password prompts throughout installation
• System UI popups that appear outside the terminal window
• User configuration prompts for git, editors, and optional features
• Authentication dialogs for various applications

System Popups You'll See

1. Xcode Command Line Tools: Graphical installer popup (required)
2. Homebrew Installation: Multiple password prompts in terminal
3. macOS Security Dialogs: App installation permissions
4. Application-Specific Setup: VSCode, Neovim, Claude Code configuration prompts

Installation Time: 15-30 minutes depending on your internet connection and choices made during configuration.

What Gets Installed

The installer runs 70+ scripts organized into these categories:

Core System Setup

• System Validation: macOS compatibility and prerequisite checks
• Git Configuration: Global git setup with SSH key generation for GitHub
• macOS System Defaults: Dark mode, Finder settings, developer-friendly system preferences

Command Line Tools (21 tools)

• Modern Replacements: bat (cat), eza (ls), fd (find), ripgrep (grep), dust (du), procs (ps)
• Development Tools: Git with aliases, GitHub CLI, fuzzy finder (fzf), smart directory navigation (zoxide)
• Performance Tools: Hyperfine benchmarking, Just task runner
• Text Processing: Delta git diff, sd find/replace, TealDeer quick help
• Shell Enhancement: Starship cross-shell prompt with creative configuration

Programming Languages & Runtimes

• Node.js: NVM with Node 20 and npm
• Python: pyenv with Poetry package management
• Go: Latest Go programming language
• Bun: Fast JavaScript runtime and package manager

Developer Fonts

• Nerd Fonts: Programming fonts with icons and symbols
• Fira Code: Coding font with ligatures

Web Browsers (5 browsers)

• Google Chrome, Firefox, Microsoft Edge, Arc, Brave Browser

Code Editors

• Visual Studio Code: Full IDE with extensions and configuration
• Neovim: Modern vim editor with distribution choices (LazyVim, AstroNvim, NvChad, LunarVim, or custom git URL)

AI Development Tools

• Claude: AI assistant desktop application
• Claude Code: AI-powered CLI tool with optional custom agent/MCP server configuration

Terminal Applications (7 TUIs)

• Process Management: htop (system monitor), Glances (advanced system stats)
• File Management: ncdu (disk usage analyzer)
• Development: LazyGit (git TUI), LazSQL (database client), tmux (terminal multiplexer with session management)
• Container Management: Oxker (Docker/Podman TUI)

Productivity Applications (6 apps)

• Window Management: Rectangle for macOS window organization
• API Development: Bruno for REST, GraphQL, and gRPC testing
• Communication: Slack team collaboration
• File Sync: Google Drive
• Clipboard: Maccy lightweight clipboard manager
• Presentations: KeyCastr keystroke visualizer

Networking Tools

• Twingate: Zero Trust Network Access platform
• ngrok: Secure tunnels to localhost for development

Design Tools

• Figma: UI/UX design application

Container Platform

• Podman: Docker-compatible container runtime with desktop GUI
• Podman Desktop: Container management interface

Terminal Emulator

• Ghostty: Modern terminal emulator

Theming & Workspace

• Catppuccin Theme System: Consistent theming across all supported applications
• Workspace Setup: Development directory structure and repository cloning
• Font Management: CLI tool for font configuration across applications

Interactive Configuration Options

Several scripts will prompt you for choices during installation:

Git Setup

• Name and email configuration
• SSH key generation for GitHub
• GitHub authentication setup

Neovim Configuration

• Choose from popular distributions: LazyVim, AstroNvim, NvChad, LunarVim
• Provide custom git URL for your own configuration (must contain neovim/ directory)
• Custom configs automatically enhanced with tmux navigation
• Falls back to NvChad if invalid choice

macOS System Defaults

• Opt-in to apply developer-friendly system settings
• Includes dark mode, Finder enhancements, security settings

tmux Terminal Multiplexer

• Optional auto-start/attach when opening new terminals
• Session management plugins: save/restore sessions across reboots
• Continuous automatic session saving (every 15 minutes)
• Enhanced session management commands and navigation
• Seamless navigation between tmux panes and Neovim splits

Starship Prompt

• Choose whether to use Starship as your shell prompt
• Adds creative configuration with emoji and symbols

Claude Code

• Optional configuration with custom agents and MCP servers
• Provide git repository URL for advanced AI tool setup

Command Line Integration

The installer adds helpful aliases and integrations:

• Modern Commands: ll (eza), cat (bat), find (fd), grep (rg), du (dust), ps (procs)
• Git Shortcuts: Common git aliases for faster development
• Development Shortcuts: lg (lazygit), sql (lazysql), top (glances)
• Smart Navigation: z command for intelligent directory jumping
• Enhanced Search: fzf integration for command history and file finding
• Unified Navigation: Ctrl+h/j/k/l works seamlessly between tmux panes and Neovim splits

Theme Management

Includes the macose CLI tool for centralized theme and font management:

# Theme management
macose theme list           # Show available themes
macose theme set <theme>    # Switch themes across all apps
macose theme current        # Show current theme

# Font management  
macose font list           # Open Font Book for browsing
macose font set "Font"     # Set font across supported apps

File Structure

~/.local/share/macose/     # Repository and scripts
~/.config/macose/          # User configuration and themes
~/.local/macose/           # Claude Code configurations (if used)

Manual Script Execution

All scripts can be run individually:

cd ~/.local/share/macose/scripts
bash apps/neovim.sh         # Install and configure Neovim
bash tools/starship.sh      # Install Starship prompt
bash languages/nvm.sh       # Install Node.js via NVM

System Requirements

• macOS only (Intel or Apple Silicon)
• Internet connection for downloading packages
• Administrator access for system modifications
• User presence for interactive configuration

Updates

Re-run the installer to update to the latest version:

curl -fsSL https://peek-tech.github.io/macose/install | bash

The installer automatically pulls the latest repository version and updates existing installations.

Acknowledgments

This project was inspired by:

• Omarchy - DHH's opinionated Arch Linux + Hyprland setup that inspired the single-command installation approach. Thanks to the contributors for the ideas and motivation.
• Homebrew - The package manager that powers most installations in this project. Thanks to the developers of Homebrew for making macOS package management possible.

---

Note: This installer modifies system settings and installs numerous applications. Review the script manifest for complete details of what will be installed.