macbook setup guide for fullstack developer
Recommendation: Use zsh as your default shell for a smoother experience.
1. Iterm2
Replace your default terminal with iTerm2—a modern terminal with advanced features.
Settings Update
Enable natural text editing:
Settings > Profiles > Keys > Key Mappings > Presets... > Natural Text Editing
2. Homebrew
Homebrew is a package manager for macOS that simplifies installing software and libraries.
Install Homebrew by running:
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
3. Git
Git is essential for version control in software development.
Install Git using Homebrew:
brew install git
3.1 ssh key
Set up SSH keys for secure access to Git repositories.
# Generate a new SSH key:
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "[email protected]"
# Check your keys:
ls ~/.ssh
Copy the public key:
cat ~/.ssh/id_ed25519.pub
Add it to your GitHub account here.
3.2 .gitconfig
Update your ~/.gitconfig file:
[url "[email protected]:"]
insteadOf = https://gitlab.com/
[url "[email protected]:"]
insteadOf = https://github.com/
[user]
name = Your Name
email = [email protected]
4. oh-my-zsh
Supercharge your shell with Oh My Zsh!
Oh My Zsh provides themes and plugins to enhance your terminal experience.
Install it with:
sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)"
5. asdf
Manage multiple runtime versions with asdf.
asdf simplifies managing different versions of programming languages and tools.
Recommend using the official git method
Install asdf:
git clone https://github.com/asdf-vm/asdf.git ~/.asdf --branch v0.15.0
Add this to ~/.zshrc:
. "$HOME/.asdf/asdf.sh"
6. nodejs
Install Node.js using asdf:
# install plugin nodejs
asdf plugin add nodejs https://github.com/asdf-vm/asdf-nodejs.git
# list installed plugin
asdf plugin list
# Install a Version
asdf install nodejs nodejs
# Set a Version
asdf global nodejs nodejs
# check current nodejs version
node -v
Install global npm packages
npm install -g yarn pnpm
Add this to ~/.zshrc:
export NODE_PATH=$(npm root -g)
7. Pyenv
Manage Python versions seamlessly.
Pyenv helps you install and switch between Python versions easily.
Install Pyenv:
# Update homebrew and install pyenv
brew update
brew install pyenv
Update your shell environment:
echo 'export PYENV_ROOT="$HOME/.pyenv"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo '[[ -d $PYENV_ROOT/bin ]] && export PATH="$PYENV_ROOT/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo 'eval "$(pyenv init - zsh)"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc
Install Python:
pyenv install 3.10.4
pyenv global 3.10.4
7.1 venv
A Python virtual environment (venv)
Create and activate a virtual environment to isolate dependencies:
mkdir demo-python && cd demo-pyton
python -m venv myvenv
source myvenv/bin/activate
pip usage in venv, eg: install Flask
# install Flask api framework
pip install Flask
Create file hello.py inside /demo-python directory
from flask import Flask
app = Flask(__name__)
@app.route("/")
def hello_world():
return "<p>Hello, World!</p>"
Serving Flask app hello.py
flask --app hello run
Create file requirements.txt
pip freeze > requirements.txt
8.Java
Java is essential for backend services and enterprise applications.
Download and install your preferred version, Choose macOS > ARM64 DMG Installer:
Update your ~/.zshrc
#export JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-23.jdk/Contents/Home
export JAVA_HOME=/Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-11.jdk/Contents/Home
export PATH=$JAVA_HOME/bin:$PATH
Reload and verify:
source ~/.zshrc
java --version
9.Go
Go is a fast and efficient language widely used for backend development.
Configure Go environment, edit ~/.zshrc, add content below:
# Go private packages
export GOPRIVATE=github.com/Your-Repo
# Go Path
export GOPATH="$HOME/go"
# Go Root Versions
#export GOROOT="$HOME/sdk/go1.23.4"
#export GOROOT="$HOME/sdk/go1.23.0"
export GOROOT="$HOME/sdk/go1.22.10"
export GOBIN="$GOROOT/bin"
export PATH=$GOBIN:$PATH
don't forget to install golang/mock/mockgen
go install github.com/golang/mock/mockgen@latest
# you should see mockgen executable in $GOBIN
ls $GOBIN
Reload and verify:
source ~/.zshrc
go env
go version
Your code should stored in $GOPATH/src. Go mod package will be stored in $GOPATH/pkg.
10.Kube
Kubernetes is essential for managing containerized applications.
10.1 .kube/config
First create your ~/.kube/config file with format :
apiVersion: v1
clusters:
- cluster:
certificate-authority-data: CERT-DATA
server: https://host1:port
name: cluster1
- cluster:
certificate-authority-data: CERT-DATA
server: https://host2:port
name: cluster2
- cluster:
certificate-authority-data: CERT-DATA
server: https://host3:port
name: cluster3
contexts:
- context:
cluster: cluster1
namespace: default
user: me-cluster1-user
name: me-cluster1-ctx
- context:
cluster: cluster2
namespace: default
user: me-cluster2-user
name: me-cluster2-ctx
- context:
cluster: cluster3
namespace: default
user: me-cluster3-user
name: me-cluster3-ctx
current-context: me-cluster1-ctx
kind: Config
preferences: {}
users:
- name: me-cluster1-user
user:
client-certificate-data: CERT-DATA
client-key-data: KEY-DATA
- name: me-cluster2-user
user:
client-certificate-data: CERT-DATA
client-key-data: KEY-DATA
- name: me-cluster3-user
user:
client-certificate-data: CERT-DATA
client-key-data: KEY-DATA
10.2 kubectl
Download and set up kubectl:
# Download the latest release
curl -LO "https://dl.k8s.io/release/$(curl -L -s https://dl.k8s.io/release/stable.txt)/bin/darwin/arm64/kubectl"
# Validate the binary (optional)
curl -LO "https://dl.k8s.io/release/$(curl -L -s https://dl.k8s.io/release/stable.txt)/bin/darwin/arm64/kubectl.sha256"
# Make the kubectl binary executable.
chmod +x ./kubectl
# create /usr/local/bin if not exist
sudo mkdir -p /usr/local/bin
# Move the kubectl binary to a file location on your system PATH.
sudo mv ./kubectl /usr/local/bin/kubectl
sudo chown root: /usr/local/bin/kubectl
# Test to ensure the version you installed is up-to-date
kubectl version --client
10.3 zsh-kubectl-prompt
Enhance your shell prompt with cluster info :
cd ~
git clone [email protected]:superbrothers/zsh-kubectl-prompt
Update ~/.zshrc
# kubeinfo
autoload -U colors; colors
source ~/zsh-kubectl-prompt/kubectl.zsh
RPROMPT='%{$fg[green]%}($ZSH_KUBECTL_PROMPT)%{$reset_color%}'
alias k='kubectl'
alias ksn='_f(){k get namespace $1 > /dev/null; if [ $? -eq 1 ]; then return $?; fi; k config set-context $(k config current-context) --namespace=$1; echo "Namespace: $1"};_f'
alias ksc='_f(){k config get-contexts $1 > /dev/null; if [ $? -eq 1 ]; then return $?; fi; k config use-context $1; echo "Context: $1"};_f'
#Usage:
#➜ ~ ksn dev1 (dev-context/dev1)
# Context "dev-context" modified.
# Namespace: dev1
#➜ ~ ksn ff (dev-context/dev1)
# Error from server (NotFound): namespaces "ff" not found
[[ /usr/local/bin/kubectl ]] && source <(kubectl completion zsh)
10.3.1 Switch namespace
Change namespace in current kube contextme-cluster1-ctx namespace default to namespace staging
ksn staging
10.3.2 Switch context
Change namespace in current kube contextme-cluster1-ctx to context me-cluster2-ctx
ksc me-cluster2-ctx
That’s it! With these steps, your MacBook is primed for full-stack development. 🎉