Friendly OS X defaults

Over the years I’ve discovered an array of OS X defaults that make my life easier and performing tasks quicker. One of the reasons I learnt Vim was because I was using my mouse far too much for repetitive tasks.

You should know what you’re doing when using the Terminal. If you use iTerm I imagine you have a pretty good idea. Don’t blame me when you break something 👊.

Developer happiness

Faster keyboard response

defaults write NSGlobalDomain KeyRepeat -int 0.02

Reduced key repeat delay

defaults write NSGlobalDomain InitialKeyRepeat -int 12

UTF-8 Terminal happiness

defaults write com.apple.terminal StringEncodings -array 4

Protect your code

This might not be a developer friendly default, but you can keep your code secure when your screensaver starts and you have to leave your hot desk.

defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPassword -int 1
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay -int 0

Overall nice-to-haves

These aren’t developer specific but really helpful. 💯

Silence your boot chime

Don’t wake your fiancée when you’re working late. Silence that boot chime.

sudo nvram SystemAudioVolume=” “

Increase the Dock show/hide speed

If you have to use the Dock, speed up the time it animates in and out.

defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool true
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -float 0.5
killall Dock

Save/Print Modals

Expanding the Save and Print modals in OS X is a repetitive task and is something you can set to always show if you know how to.

defaults write NSGlobalDomain PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint -bool true
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode -bool true

Return of ~/Library

Maybe you’re a frequent visitor of the ~/Library folder. I always forget the ALT shortcut when in Finder to show ~/Library.

chflags nohidden ~/Library

Create prettier screenshots in OS X

Shadow vs. No Shadow

Screenshots come with a shadow effect by default. You can remove it.

defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool true

Disable Notification Center

You can easily disable Notification Center in newer versions of Mac OS, along with removing the icon from the status bar by executing the following.

launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.notificationcenterui.plist 
killall NotificationCenter

‘Are you sure you want to open this application?’

Open an application from the web without being asked if that’s what you really want to do.

defaults write com.apple.LaunchServices LSQuarantine -bool false

Alternatively, you might want to allow apps downloaded from “Anywhere” allowed to be opened.

sudo spctl — master-disable

Disable Time Machine annoying dialogs

You’ll store your documents and photos in iCloud, your code on GitHub and your music on Spotify. Time Machine doesn’t need to ask you if you want to use any storage devices as a backup drive.

defaults write com.apple.TimeMachine DoNotOfferNewDisksForBackup -bool true

Applying the changes

To make any of these work, you’ll need to use Terminal and execute the following command after to apply the changes. You’ll need to reboot if you selected to get rid of Notifications Center.

killall Finder

If you’ve got any other Mac OS X defaults, please leave a comment or reach out on Twitter. Have a nice day 👌.