How to Automate macOS Operation System for Complete Control

In today's digital age, setting up a new Mac laptop can be a time-consuming task, especially for those who prefer to have their devices in a familiar and customized state. However, a solution is at hand, thanks to a process that automates the setup, including the installation of necessary software, applications, and configuration files.

The process begins with the installation of 'Oh My Zsh', a popular open-source framework for managing your terminal. This is followed by creating a file, which is crucial for customizing your terminal's behaviour.

Next, Mas comes into play. Mas is a tool that allows interaction with the Apple App Store using the Command Line Interface (CLI). To use Mas, run the command to output a list of all the app store applications installed on the laptop along with their IDs. Using these IDs, you can install apps using the command . Mas can be found on its Github repo for more information.

The heart of the automation lies in a bootstrap script, written in bash. This script will install necessary software such as Homebrew, Cask, and any desired applications. It will also configure the laptop using the config files stored in the cloud storage service, setting up key bindings, aliases, AWS profiles, and more.

To make the process even more efficient, the script checks if it has been executed before and exits if it has. This ensures that the setup process is not repeated unnecessarily.

The process requires signing into iCloud, having a cloud storage service (such as Dropbox, iCloud, Google Drive), and storing a bootstrap script and config files in the cloud storage service. The configuration step involves creating a symlink to the config files in the cloud storage service.

For an average user setting up a new MacBook for work, the full process including OS setup, application installation, and data transfer typically takes several hours, often ranging from 2 to 4 hours depending on the volume of data and software customization needed. The goal is to have the new laptop in the same state as the previous hardware.

By automating the setup process, users can save valuable time and ensure a consistent setup across their devices. For more information, you can visit the Github repositories of 'Oh My Zsh' and Mas. Happy automating!