Sensible hacker defaults for Mac OS X. Customize your Mac with a ton of defaults write commands and .alias adjustments.
#!/bin/bash
# ~/.osx — http://mths.be/osx
# https://github.com/mathiasbynens/dotfiles
# Ask for the administrator password upfront
sudo -v
# Keep-alive: update existing `sudo` time stamp until `.osx` has finished
while true; do sudo -n true; sleep 60; kill -0 "$$" || exit; done 2>/dev/null &
###############################################################################
# General UI/UX #
###############################################################################
# Set computer name (as done via System Preferences → Sharing)
sudo scutil --set ComputerName "MathBook Pro"
sudo scutil --set HostName "MathBook Pro"
sudo scutil --set LocalHostName "MathBook-Pro"
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.smb.server NetBIOSName -string "MathBook-Pro"
# Menu bar: disable transparency
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleEnableMenuBarTransparency -bool false
# Menu bar: show remaining battery time (on pre-10.8); hide percentage
defaults write com.apple.menuextra.battery ShowPercent -string "NO"
defaults write com.apple.menuextra.battery ShowTime -string "YES"
# Menu bar: hide the useless Time Machine and Volume icons
defaults write com.apple.systemuiserver menuExtras -array "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/Bluetooth.menu" "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/AirPort.menu" "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/Battery.menu" "/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu Extras/Clock.menu"
# Always show scrollbars
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleShowScrollBars -string "Always"
# Disable smooth scrolling
# (Uncomment if you're on an older Mac that messes up the animation)
#defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSScrollAnimationEnabled -bool false
# Disable opening and closing window animations
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticWindowAnimationsEnabled -bool false
# Increase window resize speed for Cocoa applications
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSWindowResizeTime -float 0.001
# Expand save panel by default
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode -bool true
# Expand print panel by default
defaults write NSGlobalDomain PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint -bool true
# Save to disk (not to iCloud) by default
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSDocumentSaveNewDocumentsToCloud -bool false
# Automatically quit printer app once the print jobs complete
defaults write com.apple.print.PrintingPrefs "Quit When Finished" -bool true
# Disable the "Are you sure you want to open this application?" dialog
defaults write com.apple.LaunchServices LSQuarantine -bool false
# Display ASCII control characters using caret notation in standard text views
# Try e.g. `cd /tmp; unidecode "\x{0000}" > cc.txt; open -e cc.txt`
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSTextShowsControlCharacters -bool true
# Disable Resume system-wide
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows -bool false
# Disable automatic termination of inactive apps
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSDisableAutomaticTermination -bool true
# Disable the crash reporter
#defaults write com.apple.CrashReporter DialogType -string "none"
# Set Help Viewer windows to non-floating mode
defaults write com.apple.helpviewer DevMode -bool true
# Fix for the ancient UTF-8 bug in QuickLook (http://mths.be/bbo)
# Commented out, as this is known to cause problems when saving files in
# Adobe Illustrator CS5 :(
#echo "0x08000100:0" > ~/.CFUserTextEncoding
# Reveal IP address, hostname, OS version, etc. when clicking the clock
# in the login window
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow AdminHostInfo HostName
# Restart automatically if the computer freezes
systemsetup -setrestartfreeze on
# Never go into computer sleep mode
systemsetup -setcomputersleep Off > /dev/null
# Check for software updates daily, not just once per week
defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ScheduleFrequency -int 1
###############################################################################
# Trackpad, mouse, keyboard, Bluetooth accessories, and input #
###############################################################################
# Trackpad: enable tap to click for this user and for the login screen
defaults write com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad Clicking -bool true
defaults -currentHost write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.mouse.tapBehavior -int 1
defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.mouse.tapBehavior -int 1
# Trackpad: map bottom right corner to right-click
defaults write com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad TrackpadCornerSecondaryClick -int 2
defaults write com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad TrackpadRightClick -bool true
defaults -currentHost write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.trackpad.trackpadCornerClickBehavior -int 1
defaults -currentHost write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.trackpad.enableSecondaryClick -bool true
# Trackpad: swipe between pages with three fingers
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleEnableSwipeNavigateWithScrolls -bool true
defaults -currentHost write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.trackpad.threeFingerHorizSwipeGesture -int 1
defaults write com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad TrackpadThreeFingerHorizSwipeGesture -int 1
# Disable "natural" (Lion-style) scrolling
defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.swipescrolldirection -bool false
# Increase sound quality for Bluetooth headphones/headsets
defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Apple Bitpool Min (editable)" -int 40
# Enable full keyboard access for all controls
# (e.g. enable Tab in modal dialogs)
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleKeyboardUIMode -int 3
# Enable access for assistive devices
echo -n 'a' | sudo tee /private/var/db/.AccessibilityAPIEnabled > /dev/null 2>&1
sudo chmod 444 /private/var/db/.AccessibilityAPIEnabled
# TODO: avoid GUI password prompt somehow (http://apple.stackexchange.com/q/60476/4408)
#sudo osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to set UI elements enabled to true'
# Use scroll gesture with the Ctrl (^) modifier key to zoom
defaults write com.apple.universalaccess closeViewScrollWheelToggle -bool true
defaults write com.apple.universalaccess HIDScrollZoomModifierMask -int 262144
# Follow the keyboard focus while zoomed in
defaults write com.apple.universalaccess closeViewZoomFollowsFocus -bool true
# Disable press-and-hold for keys in favor of key repeat
defaults write NSGlobalDomain ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false
# Set a blazingly fast keyboard repeat rate
defaults write NSGlobalDomain KeyRepeat -int 0
# Automatically illuminate built-in MacBook keyboard in low light
defaults write com.apple.BezelServices kDim -bool true
# Turn off keyboard illumination when computer is not used for 5 minutes
defaults write com.apple.BezelServices kDimTime -int 300
# Set language and text formats
# Note: if you're in the US, replace `EUR` with `USD`, `Centimeters` with
# `Inches`, and `true` with `false`.
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleLanguages -array "en" "nl"
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleLocale -string "en_GB@currency=EUR"
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleMeasurementUnits -string "Centimeters"
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleMetricUnits -bool true
# Set the timezone; see `systemsetup -listtimezones` for other values
systemsetup -settimezone "Europe/Brussels" > /dev/null
# Disable auto-correct
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled -bool false
###############################################################################
# Screen #
###############################################################################
# Require password immediately after sleep or screen saver begins
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPassword -int 1
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay -int 0
# Save screenshots to the desktop
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location -string "$HOME/Desktop"
# Save screenshots in PNG format (other options: BMP, GIF, JPG, PDF, TIFF)
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type -string "png"
# Disable shadow in screenshots
defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool true
# Enable subpixel font rendering on non-Apple LCDs
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleFontSmoothing -int 2
# Enable HiDPI display modes (requires restart)
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver DisplayResolutionEnabled -bool true
###############################################################################
# Finder #
###############################################################################
# Finder: allow quitting via ⌘ + Q; doing so will also hide desktop icons
defaults write com.apple.finder QuitMenuItem -bool true
# Finder: disable window animations and Get Info animations
defaults write com.apple.finder DisableAllAnimations -bool true
# Show icons for hard drives, servers, and removable media on the desktop
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowExternalHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowMountedServersOnDesktop -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowRemovableMediaOnDesktop -bool true
# Finder: show hidden files by default
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true
# Finder: show all filename extensions
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleShowAllExtensions -bool true
# Finder: show status bar
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowStatusBar -bool true
# Finder: allow text selection in Quick Look
defaults write com.apple.finder QLEnableTextSelection -bool true
# Display full POSIX path as Finder window title
defaults write com.apple.finder _FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool true
# When performing a search, search the current folder by default
defaults write com.apple.finder FXDefaultSearchScope -string "SCcf"
# Disable the warning when changing a file extension
defaults write com.apple.finder FXEnableExtensionChangeWarning -bool false
# Avoid creating .DS_Store files on network volumes
defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores -bool true
# Disable disk image verification
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify -bool true
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify-locked -bool true
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify-remote -bool true
# Automatically open a new Finder window when a volume is mounted
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages auto-open-ro-root -bool true
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages auto-open-rw-root -bool true
defaults write com.apple.finder OpenWindowForNewRemovableDisk -bool true
# Show item info below icons on the desktop and in other icon views
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:showItemInfo true" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:showItemInfo true" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:showItemInfo true" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
# Enable snap-to-grid for icons on the desktop and in other icon views
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:arrangeBy grid" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:arrangeBy grid" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:arrangeBy grid" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
# Increase grid spacing for icons on the desktop and in other icon views
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:gridSpacing 100" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:gridSpacing 100" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:gridSpacing 100" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
# Increase the size of icons on the desktop and in other icon views
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:iconSize 80" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:iconSize 80" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
/usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:iconSize 80" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
# Use list view in all Finder windows by default
# Four-letter codes for the other view modes: `icnv`, `clmv`, `Flwv`
defaults write com.apple.finder FXPreferredViewStyle -string "Nlsv"
# Disable the warning before emptying the Trash
defaults write com.apple.finder WarnOnEmptyTrash -bool false
# Empty Trash securely by default
defaults write com.apple.finder EmptyTrashSecurely -bool true
# Enable AirDrop over Ethernet and on unsupported Macs running Lion
defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser BrowseAllInterfaces -bool true
# Show the ~/Library folder
chflags nohidden ~/Library
# Remove Dropbox's green checkmark icons in Finder
file=/Applications/Dropbox.app/Contents/Resources/check.icns
[ -e "$file" ] && mv -f "$file" "$file.bak"
unset file
###############################################################################
# Dock & hot corners #
###############################################################################
# Enable highlight hover effect for the grid view of a stack (Dock)
defaults write com.apple.dock mouse-over-hilte-stack -bool true
# Set the icon size of Dock items to 36 pixels
defaults write com.apple.dock tilesize -int 36
# Enable spring loading for all Dock items
defaults write com.apple.dock enable-spring-load-actions-on-all-items -bool true
# Show indicator lights for open applications in the Dock
defaults write com.apple.dock show-process-indicators -bool true
# Don't animate opening applications from the Dock
defaults write com.apple.dock launchanim -bool false
# Speed up Mission Control animations
defaults write com.apple.dock expose-animation-duration -float 0.1
# Don't group windows by application in Mission Control
# (i.e. use the old Exposé behavior instead)
defaults write com.apple.dock expose-group-by-app -bool false
# Don't show Dashboard as a Space
defaults write com.apple.dock dashboard-in-overlay -bool true
# Remove the auto-hiding Dock delay
defaults write com.apple.Dock autohide-delay -float 0
# Remove the animation when hiding/showing the Dock
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -float 0
# Enable the 2D Dock
#defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -bool true
# Automatically hide and show the Dock
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool true
# Make Dock icons of hidden applications translucent
defaults write com.apple.dock showhidden -bool true
# Reset Launchpad
find ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock -name "*.db" -maxdepth 1 -delete
# Add iOS Simulator to Launchpad
ln -s /Applications/Xcode.app/Contents/Applications/iPhone\ Simulator.app /Applications/iOS\ Simulator.app
# Add a spacer to the left side of the Dock (where the applications are)
#defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array-add '{tile-data={}; tile-type="spacer-tile";}'
# Add a spacer to the right side of the Dock (where the Trash is)
#defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{tile-data={}; tile-type="spacer-tile";}'
# Hot corners
# Top left screen corner → Mission Control
defaults write com.apple.dock wvous-tl-corner -int 2
defaults write com.apple.dock wvous-tl-modifier -int 0
# Top right screen corner → Desktop
defaults write com.apple.dock wvous-tr-corner -int 4
defaults write com.apple.dock wvous-tr-modifier -int 0
# Bottom left screen corner → Start screen saver
defaults write com.apple.dock wvous-bl-corner -int 5
defaults write com.apple.dock wvous-bl-modifier -int 0
###############################################################################
# Safari & WebKit #
###############################################################################
# Set Safari's home page to `about:blank` for faster loading
defaults write com.apple.Safari HomePage -string "about:blank"
# Prevent Safari from opening 'safe' files automatically after downloading
defaults write com.apple.Safari AutoOpenSafeDownloads -bool false
# Allow hitting the Backspace key to go to the previous page in history
defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool true
# Hide Safari's bookmarks bar by default
defaults write com.apple.Safari ShowFavoritesBar -bool false
# Disable Safari's thumbnail cache for History and Top Sites
defaults write com.apple.Safari DebugSnapshotsUpdatePolicy -int 2
# Enable Safari's debug menu
defaults write com.apple.Safari IncludeInternalDebugMenu -bool true
# Make Safari's search banners default to Contains instead of Starts With
defaults write com.apple.Safari FindOnPageMatchesWordStartsOnly -bool false
# Remove useless icons from Safari's bookmarks bar
defaults write com.apple.Safari ProxiesInBookmarksBar "()"
# Enable the Develop menu and the Web Inspector in Safari
defaults write com.apple.Safari IncludeDevelopMenu -bool true
defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitDeveloperExtrasEnabledPreferenceKey -bool true
defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2DeveloperExtrasEnabled -bool true
# Add a context menu item for showing the Web Inspector in web views
defaults write NSGlobalDomain WebKitDeveloperExtras -bool true
# Enable the WebKit Developer Tools in the Mac App Store
defaults write com.apple.appstore WebKitDeveloperExtras -bool true
###############################################################################
# iTunes #
###############################################################################
# Disable the iTunes store link arrows
defaults write com.apple.iTunes show-store-link-arrows -bool false
# Disable the Genius sidebar in iTunes
defaults write com.apple.iTunes disableGeniusSidebar -bool true
# Disable the Ping sidebar in iTunes
defaults write com.apple.iTunes disablePingSidebar -bool true
# Disable all the other Ping stuff in iTunes
defaults write com.apple.iTunes disablePing -bool true
# Disable radio stations in iTunes
defaults write com.apple.iTunes disableRadio -bool true
# Make ⌘ + F focus the search input in iTunes
# To use these commands in another language, browse iTunes's package contents,
# open `Contents/Resources/your-language.lproj/Localizable.strings`, and look
# for `kHiddenMenuItemTargetSearch`.
defaults write com.apple.iTunes NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add "Target Search Field" "@F"
###############################################################################
# Mail #
###############################################################################
# Disable send and reply animations in Mail.app
defaults write com.apple.mail DisableReplyAnimations -bool true
defaults write com.apple.mail DisableSendAnimations -bool true
# Copy email addresses as `foo@example.com` instead of `Foo Bar <foo@example.com>` in Mail.app
defaults write com.apple.mail AddressesIncludeNameOnPasteboard -bool false
# Add the keyboard shortcut ⌘ + Enter to send an email in Mail.app
defaults write com.apple.mail NSUserKeyEquivalents -dict-add "Send" "@\\U21a9"
###############################################################################
# Terminal #
###############################################################################
# Only use UTF-8 in Terminal.app
defaults write com.apple.terminal StringEncodings -array 4
# Use a modified version of the Pro theme by default in Terminal.app
open "$HOME/init/Mathias.terminal"
sleep 1 # Wait a bit to make sure the theme is loaded
defaults write com.apple.terminal "Default Window Settings" -string "Mathias"
defaults write com.apple.terminal "Startup Window Settings" -string "Mathias"
# Enable "focus follows mouse" for Terminal.app and all X11 apps
# i.e. hover over a window and start typing in it without clicking first
#defaults write com.apple.terminal FocusFollowsMouse -bool true
#defaults write org.x.X11 wm_ffm -bool true
###############################################################################
# Time Machine #
###############################################################################
# Prevent Time Machine from prompting to use new hard drives as backup volume
defaults write com.apple.TimeMachine DoNotOfferNewDisksForBackup -bool true
# Disable local Time Machine backups
hash tmutil &> /dev/null && sudo tmutil disablelocal
###############################################################################
# Address Book, Dashboard, iCal, TextEdit, and Disk Utility #
###############################################################################
# Enable the debug menu in Address Book
defaults write com.apple.addressbook ABShowDebugMenu -bool true
# Enable Dashboard dev mode (allows keeping widgets on the desktop)
defaults write com.apple.dashboard devmode -bool true
# Enable the debug menu in iCal (pre-10.8)
defaults write com.apple.iCal IncludeDebugMenu -bool true
# Use plain text mode for new TextEdit documents
defaults write com.apple.TextEdit RichText -int 0
# Open and save files as UTF-8 in TextEdit
defaults write com.apple.TextEdit PlainTextEncoding -int 4
defaults write com.apple.TextEdit PlainTextEncodingForWrite -int 4
# Enable the debug menu in Disk Utility
defaults write com.apple.DiskUtility DUDebugMenuEnabled -bool true
defaults write com.apple.DiskUtility advanced-image-options -bool true
###############################################################################
# Google Chrome & Google Chrome Canary #
###############################################################################
# Allow installing user scripts via GitHub or Userscripts.org
defaults write com.google.Chrome ExtensionInstallSources -array "https://*.github.com/*" "http://userscripts.org/*"
defaults write com.google.Chrome.canary ExtensionInstallSources -array "https://*.github.com/*" "http://userscripts.org/*"
###############################################################################
# SizeUp.app #
###############################################################################
# Start SizeUp at login
defaults write com.irradiatedsoftware.SizeUp StartAtLogin -bool true
# Don't show the preferences window on next start
defaults write com.irradiatedsoftware.SizeUp ShowPrefsOnNextStart -bool false
###############################################################################
# Transmission.app #
###############################################################################
# Use `~/Documents/Torrents` to store incomplete downloads
defaults write org.m0k.transmission UseIncompleteDownloadFolder -bool true
defaults write org.m0k.transmission IncompleteDownloadFolder -string "${HOME}/Documents/Torrents"
# Don't prompt for confirmation before downloading
defaults write org.m0k.transmission DownloadAsk -bool false
# Trash original torrent files
defaults write org.m0k.transmission DeleteOriginalTorrent -bool true
# Hide the donate message
defaults write org.m0k.transmission WarningDonate -bool false
# Hide the legal disclaimer
defaults write org.m0k.transmission WarningLegal -bool false
###############################################################################
# Twitter.app #
###############################################################################
# Disable smart quotes as it's annoying for code tweets
defaults write com.twitter.twitter-mac AutomaticQuoteSubstitutionEnabled -bool false
# Show the app window when clicking the menu icon
defaults write com.twitter.twitter-mac MenuItemBehavior -int 1
# Enable the hidden 'Develop' menu
defaults write com.twitter.twitter-mac ShowDevelopMenu -bool true
# Open links in the background
defaults write com.twitter.twitter-mac openLinksInBackground -bool true
# Allow closing the 'new tweet' window by pressing `Esc`
defaults write com.twitter.twitter-mac ESCClosesComposeWindow -bool true
# Show full names rather than Twitter handles
defaults write com.twitter.twitter-mac ShowFullNames -bool true
# Hide the app in the background if it's not the front-most window
defaults write com.twitter.twitter-mac HideInBackground -bool true
###############################################################################
# Kill affected applications #
###############################################################################
for app in "Address Book" "Calendar" "Contacts" "Dashboard" "Dock" "Finder" \
"Mail" "Safari" "SizeUp" "SystemUIServer" "Terminal" "Transmission" \
"Twitter" "iCal" "iTunes"; do
killall "$app" > /dev/null 2>&1
done
echo "Done. Note that some of these changes require a logout/restart to take effect."