The First 10 macOS Apps I Install in 2019

Don't you just love the joy of opening a new MacBook box and setting up your favorite tools? The tools you choose to install really add to the experience. They can be very personal and show a lot about the type of person, and in my case, developer that I am.

Here is a short post about the first 10 tools I installed on my MacBook Pro 16" on Day 1.

I'll be recording a podcast on Real Talk JavaScript this coming week with some guests to share our first look experiences as developers on the new MacBook Pro 16". Be sure to check it out when it releases (by the end of Nov 2019)!

Ten Apps in Day 1

Here are the first things I installed on my new MacBook Pro 16". Your mileage may vary, of course.

0 - Code

VS Code is an essential tool for me. I use it for coding, writing, and as a scratch pad. I'm using it to write this!

I also installed a bunch of extensions (using a single extension called Settings Sync). But that's for another article.

1 - Alfred

Alfred is an extremely powerful spotlight-like app. You can do so much with this ... really. Check it out and explore the workflows. I use it to open apps, search my computer, kill processes, calculate, and more.

Alfred App v4
Free without the PowerPack

2 - Bartender

I hate clutter. When i record my screen I don't like seeing all of the icons in my top bar either. Bartender hides whatever I don't want to see, and makes it easily accessible when I do need them.

Bartender
$15

3 - Divvy

Divvy is an essential tool for me. I use it to program keyboard shortcuts to move my windows to predefined areas on the screen. I have 10 shortcuts currently that I use every single day.

Divvy
$13.99

4 - WiFi Signal

Nice app that shows the WiFi signal and a lot of details that the baked in wifi app doesn't show.

WiFi Signal
$4.99

5 - SnagIt

I've been using this tool for a decade and haven't found a reason to stop using it. Well worth the money.

SnagIt
$49.95

6 - Insomnia

I used to use PostMan, and it is indeed excellent. But I like Insomnia these days. Maybe because it has a cool name.
Insomnia
Free tier is all I need

7 - Amphetamine

I use this to keep my laptop screen visible so it does not timeout when I am presenting.

Amphetamine
Free

8 - Dropbox

I store many files here that I either need to share across machines or just want off my local machine.

Dropbox
Cost varies for your usage

9 - Chrome

The Chrome browser by Google.

Chrome
Free