sensible_mac_os_x_defaults.sh

#!/bin/bash

# ~/.osx — http://mths.be/osx

# 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_US@currency=USD"
# defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleMeasurementUnits -string "Inches"
# defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleMetricUnits -bool false

# 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

# ###############################################################################
# # 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."