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mac-dev-apps

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Updated 10-16 03:14

About this skill

Mac Dev Apps

Installs GUI applications with the current cask tokens (several classics were renamed, deprecated, or never existed) and flags every app whose setup can't be automated: App Store sign-ins, license keys, permission prompts.

When NOT to use

  • CLI toolbelt → dev-cli-tools · Editors → editor-setup · Docker/OrbStack → docker-on-mac · Cloud CLIs → cloud-dev-setup · AI agent CLIs → ai-dev-tools
  • Deep per-app configuration (Raycast extensions, iTerm2 profiles) → do the install here; in-app config is the user's taste

Prerequisites

brew present (→ homebrew-setup). App Store items additionally need the user signed into the App Store app (mas cannot sign in for them).

Safety rails

  • Ask which groups/apps — never install a fixed list unprompted.
  • Report skipped/unavailable apps with the reason and an alternative; don't silently drop them.
  • Casks may prompt for the admin password (privileged helper installs — normal for VPNs/Parallels); tell the user to expect it.

Workflow

1. Offer the groups, install the chosen ones

Preflight any token you're unsure about — brew info --cask <token> catches renames/tombstones before a failed install:

# Browsers            brew install --cask google-chrome firefox
# Comms               brew install --cask slack zoom
# Terminal (pick one) brew install --cask ghostty     # recommended default: fast, native, open source
#                     brew install --cask warp        # AI-forward (account for AI features)
#                     brew install --cask iterm2      # mature, most configurable
# Launcher/windows    brew install --cask raycast     # subsumes Spotlight+window snapping for most
#                     brew install --cask rectangle   # standalone snapping, if not Raycast
#                     brew install --cask aerospace   # i3-style tiling (no SIP changes needed)
# Design/media        brew install --cask figma pika vlc spotify
# Databases           brew install --cask dbeaver-community   # or tableplus
# Files/storage       brew install --cask google-drive
# Git GUI             brew install --cask github      # GitHub Desktop
# VPN                 brew install --cask nordvpn openvpn-connect
# VMs                 brew install --cask parallels   # license required; parallels@18 etc. for owned versions
# JetBrains gateway   brew install --cask jetbrains-toolbox
# Passwords           brew install --cask 1password

Verified token table incl. renames/tombstones: references/app-catalog.md.

2. App Store apps via mas

brew install mas
mas install 937984704    # Amphetamine (keep-awake; App Store-exclusive, no cask)

User must already be signed into the App Store app; mas v7 has no signin command. If the app was never acquired on this Apple Account, mas install can fail — mas get <id> acquires free apps, or open the App Store page and click Get once, then retry. Xcode (mas install 497799835) belongs to mobile-dev-setup.

3. Flag the manual steps (per installed app)

General rule: every account-backed app needs its own sign-in (Slack, Zoom, GitHub Desktop, Google Drive, Spotify, 1Password, …) and every paid app its license (Parallels, TablePlus, JetBrains IDEs) — list each installed app's step, don't assume. Specific ones worth calling out:

  • Raycast: replace Spotlight — System Settings → Keyboard → Keyboard Shortcuts → Spotlight: untick ⌘Space, then set ⌘Space in Raycast. (Don't script symbolichotkeys — fragile.)
  • Warp: works without an account; sign-in unlocks AI/sync features.
  • NordVPN / OpenVPN / Parallels: sign-in or license key + a system-extension approval prompt in System Settings → Privacy & Security.
  • Ghostty/iTerm2: select the Nerd Font in the profile if a prompt theme is in use (→ zsh-setup).

4. Record and verify

Suggest refreshing the Brewfile afterwards (→ homebrew-setup dump workflow). Verify: brew list --cask matches the chosen set; apps launch.

Output spec

Done means: chosen apps installed with current tokens, mas items installed (or queued behind an App Store sign-in the user was told about), every manual step listed per app, unavailable requests reported with alternatives.

Gotchas

  • Renamed/defunct tokens bite old guides: docker→docker-desktop (container runtime → docker-on-mac anyway), messenger cask is deprecated+disabled (use messenger.com), filezilla has no cask (use cyberduck cask or direct download), fonts need no tap anymore.
  • GUI casks mostly ship their own updaters (auto_updates) — plain brew upgrade skips them intentionally; mac-maintenance covers --greedy semantics.
  • Parallels' unversioned cask tracks the newest major (subscription); owners of a perpetual license install their major: parallels@18.
  • From Sept 2026, official casks must be signed+notarized — very niche unsigned apps may vanish from brew; download from the vendor then.
  • Raycast vs Rectangle overlap: Raycast includes window management — installing both is fine but redundant; ask.