iTranslated by AI
My Ultimate Mac Productivity Setup
Introduction
I use a Mac for work and frequently introduce tools to improve efficiency, often switching and trying new things. Since my colleagues occasionally ask me things like "How do you do that?" or "What tool is that?", I've decided to write this article to reveal the tools and environment used by me—a notorious "punk" engineer.
I hope that both engineers and non-engineers can use this article to save fractions of a second through efficiency and enjoy their work more. That would truly be the greatest honor for a "punk" like me 🙄
Overview
There are various tools I currently use, and in many cases, I use them with personal customizations. I will list them in order of recommendation, explaining how they improve efficiency once introduced.
Whether introducing these tools actually leads to better efficiency requires getting used to them, and there are definitely individual differences. Please keep that in mind. 🤞
Recommendation Level: ★★★
This is essentially the "Efficiency 101" section. You can't go wrong with these.
Launcher App Efficiency: Raycast
First up is launcher app efficiency. While this isn't very common on Windows, it's a must-have for Mac. As far as launcher app options go, the following come to mind:
I used to use Alfred5 and loved it, but since Raycast is free, it's easy to recommend to everyone. It's definitely worth giving it a try. While Alfred often has similar features, its true power is unleashed only in the paid version, so I won't cover that here.
My usage of Raycast includes the following (in order of likely frequency):
- Quick searching
- Calling browser bookmarks
- Clipboard history
- Snippet feature
- App launching and window management
- Displaying time until scheduled events
- Simple calculations
- Raycast AI (Like ChatGPT)
- Extensions and various others...
The great thing is being able to do all of this with just this one application 🤩 I'll explain them in order.
Actual example
I call Raycast using ⌘command+space.
Quick Searching
When you want to look something up, do you open the Chrome app and search from the Google search bar?
Instead, search from Raycast.
Searching by typing "g + [search word]"
I search instantly by setting g as an alias.
A downside is that it's hard to read for Japanese text because the width doesn't expand.
Please support Japanese...!
I use an alias, but you can also search without one by customizing the settings.
(I specifically set it because it sometimes triggers other apps by mistake.)
Calling Browser Bookmarks
Within Raycast, it requires some initial setup like linking your Chrome account, but you can call bookmarks and navigate instantly.
You can jump to frequently used pages quickly by searching for them here.
Calling the bookmark list with command + shift + b
I call the bookmark list using command + shift + b.
I save especially frequent pages as bookmarks in Chrome, search for them when needed, and jump to the site instantly.
By the way, the paid version of Alfred has the advantage of allowing bookmark searches directly without a shortcut key. Raycast requires a shortcut key setting.
Clipboard History
Clipy and Alfred also offer clipboard history, but I switched with the mindset of "let's unify everything" 💪. It does almost exactly the same thing.
For those who haven't used it, this feature allows you to save your copy history.
This means you can reuse content you copied in the past without having to go back to the source every time.
Calling the clipboard history with command + shift + c
I call the clipboard history using command + shift + c.
I use it when I want to copy multiple items, or when I suddenly remember, "Oh, I copied that earlier" 🤔.
Snippet Feature
The snippet feature allows you to register frequently written text and call it up instantly.
Many engineers might already have snippets set up in VS Code, but you can also configure them in Raycast.
Examples of use cases:
- Navigating between multiple development domains that share the same path.
// The domains are different, but the path '/bar/foo/index' is the same, so you register it to call it up instantly.
http://hoge.com/bar/foo/index
http://piyo.com/bar/foo/index
- Saving and instantly calling up standard email templates.
Best regards,
[Name] from the Development Department, oo Company.
You can imagine many patterns where this would be very useful, not just for engineers but for anyone working in IT.
I call the snippet feature with command + shift + s.
Application Launching and Window Management
This also requires detailed Raycast configuration, but it's a highly recommended feature.
It allows you to switch between multiple applications instantly or change their sizes. It's useful when you want to split the screen and look at things side-by-side.
(Tools like Magnet can achieve similar results.)
When you want to call up VS Code and place it on the right, and put Chrome on the left
The setup is quite complex, but I make sure to set it up with specific reasons. My configuration is as follows:
Launching Applications
-
option + v: Launch VS Code -
option + n: Launch Notion -
option + s: Launch Slack -
option + g: Launch Google Chrome -
option + d: Launch Discord -
option + m: Launch Apple Music -
option + i: Launch iTerm2
Window Management
-
option + Enter: Maximize window -
option + h: Position on the left half of the screen -
option + l: Position on the right half of the screen -
option + j: Move focused window to the display below -
option + k: Move focused window to the display above
This arrangement is just my method, so you should customize it to your preference.
Displaying Time Until Scheduled Events
This is a quietly convenient feature. I mainly use it for meetings.
When a specified time approaches, it displays the contents of the calendar event and the time remaining until it starts.
By syncing Google Calendar with the native Mac Calendar app, it shows the countdown to the start of a meeting, and clicking it allows you to jump straight into that meeting.
It counts down to the next appointment
Additionally, by configuring settings within Raycast, you can also display a list of upcoming appointments.
Displays a list of upcoming calendar events
If you are currently in an appointment, it also shows how many minutes have passed.
Since it uses the menu bar, the Raycast position needs to be moved correctly for it to be visible.
Simple Calculations
You can perform simple calculations, similar to Alfred and other tools.
Please check the site above for more details, but it handles basic arithmetic as well as time calculations, discount calculations, and currency conversions like USD.
10% off 24 dollars in Japanese Yen
Raycast AI
You can access conversational AI, like the recently popular ChatGPT, directly from the launcher app.
To use it, simply type "ask ai".
Extensions and more...
There are many other extensions available, and the store has a massive collection. You can also create your own custom extensions.
I'll wrap up the Raycast section by listing the extensions I personally use:
-
speedtest: Performs a network environment speed test. -
Google Workspace: For those who link multiple accounts to Chrome; allows for instant account switching. -
Visual Studio Code - Project Manager: Opens VS Code projects. *Requires setup. -
docker: Allows you to control starting and stopping Docker. -
Random Data Generator: Generates random data.
There are also some interesting features for controlling the Mac itself:
- Bulk closing or restarting Mac applications.
- Floating note: A memo that always stays in the foreground.
- Try typing "confetti"...
The Famous Note-Taking App That Needs No Introduction: Notion
Is there anyone these days who doesn't know this note-taking app? It's Notion.
Since most people already know what features Notion has, I'll share a few tips on how I utilize it.
Personal Usage Examples for Notion
-
Creating a personal site based on a Notion DB.
Using Notion's database feature, I created something similar to a personal blog page. I achieved this by forking the following repository and deploying it to Vercel.
https://github.com/transitive-bullshit/nextjs-notion-starter-kit
Here is the actual page I created:
-
Managing a personal schedule in Notion.
By using the iPhone widget feature and placing it at the front, I can centrally manage everything by taking quick notes whenever an appointment comes up.
-
Workout logs
I record the results of my workouts to feel my daily growth. I specify what I did and record calorie calculations and exercise details.
(Ideally, it would be good to summarize body weight as well, but I use Notion in conjunction with a health management app called "Asuken.")
Master the Notion Shortcut Commands
It sounds obvious, but while many people memorize shortcuts for high-frequency apps like VS Code or Vim, I occasionally see people who don't use shortcuts for apps like Notion.
Detailed information is available on the following page, but I've picked out some of the most frequently used ones.
Shortcut Keys
-
command + p: Open the search window -
command + [: Go back to the previous page -
command + ]: Go forward to the next page -
(While selecting text) command + B: Make text bold -
tab: Indent and nest content -
shift + tab: Remove indentation and un-nest content
Markdown Syntax
-
-,*, or+followed by a space: Quickly add a bulleted list -
[]: Add a checkbox - Three backticks (```): Add an inline code block
- Number of
#symbols: Add a header (up to three levels of headers) -
>: Add a toggle block
The ones listed above are what I use most, but there are many other shortcut commands to learn. Aim to become a Notion Master!
The Definitive Todo App: TickTick
There are many types of Todo apps, but TickTick is my personal favorite.
I used to use Todoist as well, but I specifically chose TickTick for the following reasons:
- Account synchronization between iPhone and Mac for task sharing.
- Ability to display Todos in an iPhone widget.
- Support for writing Todo contents in Markdown.
- Ability to set Mac shortcut keys for instant access.
On a Mac, you can press command + control + l to bring up a mini window and add tasks immediately.
If your added information is synced, you can also register tasks on your smartphone and keep them in a widget. This way, if you remember something personal you want to do while working, you can just jot it down for later and stay focused on your work.
Recommendation Level: ★★☆
Contains more content for specific audiences or those it resonates with.
Browser Tab Organization: Workona
Does anyone ever have browser tabs that get so small they look like grains of rice?
That would be me.
This is limited to Chrome users, but I'll introduce the Workona Chrome extension, which is very handy.
This tool allows you to group tabs and "file" them based on purpose. For those handling multiple jobs or splitting tasks, you can work more efficiently by separating tab workspaces.
Also, if you have frequently used tab groups in the "resources" section, you can file them and call them up with a single tap.
Keep Screen Captures in the Foreground: Fuwari
Should I call this a floating screenshot tool? As you can see from the GitHub demo below, when you take a screenshot, that image stays displayed in the foreground at all times.
2 Recommended Ways to Use Fuwari
-
When you want to temporarily save code to compare.
I often use it when writing test code and needing to write several similar JSONs, and I want to isolate and compare those parts.
-
Temporarily displaying designs on a page to explain to others
This is a technique used during screen sharing when confirming actual designs on the frontend. You cut out a part to show and explain, "Wouldn't this look better over here? (pardon my lack of vocabulary)." It's very useful for design reviews.
Recommendation Level: ★☆☆
For those aiming for efficiency in fractions of a second. Niche content.
Operating your Mac like Vim: HomeRow & Vimium Edition
These are tools designed to discard mouse operations and complete everything using only the keyboard.
Highly recommended tools for breaking away from trackpads and mice along with your Mac.
If you're thinking, "No thanks, I'll just try it in Chrome first," check this out:
The bottom line is that I use both depending on the context, switching between them as needed.
(Even though I'm a low-level engineer who can't use Vim at all.)
Actual examples (the GIFs might be grainy and hard to see...):
Vimium Edition
HomeRow Edition
Frequently used shortcut groups (there are others, but I'll list only the patterns I use most often here).
Vimium Edition
| Shortcut Command | Description |
|---|---|
| j | Scroll down |
| k | Scroll up |
| gg (press twice) | Scroll to the very top |
| G (shift+g) | Scroll to the very bottom |
| J (shift+j) | Move to the previous tab |
| K (shift+k) | Move to the next tab |
| f | Display key assignments for clickable links and navigate (current tab) |
| F (shift+F) | Display key assignments for clickable links and navigate (new tab) |
| o | Open "Vomnibar" (history/bookmark list) and navigate (current tab) |
| O (shift+O) | Open "Vomnibar" (history/bookmark list) and navigate (new tab) |
HomeRow Edition
| Shortcut Command | Description |
|---|---|
| ctrl + shift + space | Display key assignments for clickable links |
| (When keys are displayed) Enter | Left click |
| (When keys are displayed) (Quickly twice) Enter | Double left click |
| (When keys are displayed) Shift + Enter | Right click |
| ctrl + shift + j | Scroll mode |
| (In scroll mode) h j k l | Move ← ↓ ↑ → respectively |
Try Changing Your Keyboard: Custom Keyboard Edition
Improve not just your software, but your hardware as well. I purchased and use a custom keyboard called Lily58.
(I purchased it at Yusha Kobo and built it myself in their DIY space using a soldering iron.)
Benefits of Custom Keyboards
- Relief from stiff shoulders. Perhaps because it keeps my shoulder blades spread apart? (*Personal opinion.)
- Infinite customization options for adjusting the feel and height of the keyboard.
- You can even change the key layout. (You can also create shortcut keys.)
Demerits of Custom Keyboards
- They are somewhat expensive.
- It's a "rabbit hole" (numa).
- Requires some adjustment (it usually takes about a week to get used to it).
I could go on forever about this, and to be honest, it's partly about self-satisfaction, so I don't necessarily recommend it to everyone. However, including the process of making it, it's a great experience, so it might be worth trying to build one.
By the way, recently there have been models called the "Keyball series"—custom keyboards that also include a trackball. They are attracting a lot of attention, and I'm seriously considering buying one (though they are so popular that they are currently hard to get).
(Available for purchase at Shirogane Lab. I want one!)
Recommended VS Code Extensions
For engineers, I frequently use the following VS Code extensions:
- Thunder Client: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=rangav.vscode-thunder-client
(Allows you to send requests within VS Code like Postman. It's very convenient with features to save past requests and create collections. This is a recommended extension I learned from my mentor.) - Console Ninja: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=WallabyJs.console-ninja
(An amazing extension that displays debugged content directly on your VS Code editor. It supports various frontend frameworks; as long as the server is running, it will show the contents ofconsole.logright in the code.) - ChatGPT - Genie AI: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=genieai.chatgpt-vscode
(Needs no introduction.)
Closing
I started writing this article in January, but it was already April by the time I finished. The passage of time is cruel.
The evolution of AI is staggering, and the tools I introduced this time might eventually become unnecessary. Nevertheless, I hope this resonates even a little with business professionals who are pushing forward on the path of efficiency to keep up with AI.
This article contains many subjective views and may include incorrect information. If you notice anything, please feel free to point it out in the comments, and I will correct it.
*Please exercise your own judgment when installing apps, considering security from the perspective of company regulations, etc.
Discussion