My Favorite Mac Apps

Here are some of my favorite apps for Mac users. Hopefully, you find them useful too!

Table of contents

• Brewlist - Breakdown of my favorite Mac apps
  • Productivity & Utilities
  • AI Tools
  • Web Browsers
  • Communication & Collaboration
  • Design & Media
  • Entertainment
  • Development Tools
    • Markdown and docs tools
  • Fonts
• Brewfile - Quick installation

Brewlist - Breakdown of my favorite Mac apps

See my Brewfile to install these apps using Homebrew.

NOTE

The Brewfile also bundles my VS Code extensions and Go modules. Those are included in full at the bottom of this page but are not listed individually below.

Productivity & Utilities

• alfred - Alfred - Productivity app for launching applications, searching files, and automating workflows.
• grammarly-desktop - Grammarly - Desktop writing assistant for grammar, spelling, and style suggestions.
• iterm2 - iTerm2 - Advanced terminal emulator for macOS with split panes, hotkeys, and more.
• jordanbaird-ice - Ice - Menu bar manager for hiding, rearranging, and customizing menu bar items.
• karabiner-elements - Karabiner-Elements - Powerful keyboard customizer for remapping keys on macOS.
• keycastr - KeyCastr - Visualizes your keystrokes for demos, screencasts, and presentations.
• logi-options+ - Logi Options+ - Configuration software for Logitech mice and keyboards.
• macupdater - MacUpdater - Keeps your macOS apps up to date by checking for new versions.
• pareto-security - Pareto Security - Automatically audits your Mac for basic security hygiene.
• rocket - Rocket - System-wide emoji picker for quick emoji insertion anywhere.
• setapp - Setapp - Subscription-based app library offering a curated suite of Mac applications.
• taphouse - Taphouse - Native GUI for managing Homebrew packages.

AI Tools

• chatgpt - ChatGPT - OpenAI's official ChatGPT desktop app.
• chatgpt-atlas - ChatGPT Atlas - OpenAI's web browser with ChatGPT built in.
• claude - Claude - Anthropic's official Claude AI desktop app.
• claude-code - Claude Code - Terminal-based AI coding assistant from Anthropic.
• codex - Codex - OpenAI's coding agent that runs in your terminal.
• codex-app - Codex App - OpenAI's desktop app for managing Codex coding agents.
• cursor - Cursor - AI-powered code editor for writing, editing, and chatting about code.
• lm-studio - LM Studio - Discover, download, and run local LLMs on your machine.
• openvino - OpenVINO - Open Visual Inference and Optimization toolkit for AI inference.

Web Browsers

• firefox - Firefox - Open-source web browser focused on privacy and customization.
• google-chrome - Google Chrome - Fast, secure web browser developed by Google.

Communication & Collaboration

• discord - Discord - Voice, video, and text chat platform for communities and gaming.
• slack - Slack - Collaboration hub for messaging, file sharing, and integrations.
• google-drive - Google Drive - Desktop client for syncing and accessing files in Google Drive cloud storage.
• notion - Notion - All-in-one workspace to write, plan, collaborate, and get organized.

Design & Media

• figma - Figma - Collaborative interface design tool for UI/UX prototyping.

Entertainment

• spotify - Spotify - Music streaming application with a massive library of songs and podcasts.
• vlc - VLC media player - Versatile multimedia player supporting nearly all audio/video formats.

Development Tools

• visual-studio-code - Visual Studio Code - Feature-rich source-code editor with extensions and Git integration.
• github - GitHub Desktop - GUI client for managing Git repositories and GitHub workflows.
• gh - GitHub CLI - Command-line tool for interacting with GitHub from your terminal.
• bash - Bash - The GNU Bourne-Again SHell, a widely used UNIX command interpreter.
• curl - curl - Transfers data to or from a server over HTTP, HTTPS, FTP, and more.
• ffmpeg - FFmpeg - Records, converts, and streams audio and video in countless formats.
• fzf - fzf - Command-line fuzzy finder written in Go.
• go - Go - Open-source programming language for building simple, reliable, and efficient software.
• jq - jq - Lightweight and flexible command-line JSON processor.
• nodenv - nodenv - Manages and switches between multiple Node.js versions.
• node-build - node-build - nodenv plugin for installing Node.js versions.
• pyenv - pyenv - Installs and manages multiple Python versions seamlessly.
• pipx - pipx - Installs and runs Python command-line apps in isolated environments.
• uv - uv - Extremely fast Python package installer and resolver, written in Rust.
• rustup - rustup - Installer and version manager for the Rust toolchain.
• php - PHP - General-purpose scripting language for web development.
• pnpm - pnpm - Fast, disk-space-efficient package manager for Node.js.
• pre-commit - pre-commit - Framework for managing multi-language Git pre-commit hooks.
• tree - Tree - Displays directory structure in a tree-like format.
• csvkit - csvkit - Suite of command-line tools for converting to and working with CSV.
• phrase-cli - Phrase CLI - Command-line tool to interact with the Phrase localization API.
• cjson - cJSON - Ultralightweight JSON parser in ANSI C.
• nss - NSS - Network Security Services libraries for security-enabled applications.
• pkgconf - pkgconf - Package compiler and linker metadata toolkit.

Markdown and docs tools

• pandoc - Pandoc - Universal document converter supporting multiple markup formats.
• qlmarkdown - QuickLook Markdown - Enables live Quick Look previews of markdown files.
• macdown - MacDown - Markdown editor with live preview and syntax highlighting.
• lychee - Lychee Link Checker - Fast link checker for markdown and HTML files.
• markdownlint-cli2 - markdownlint-cli2 - Fast, config-based CLI for linting markdown files.
• github-markdown-toc - GitHub Markdown TOC - Generates tables of contents for markdown documents.
• vale - Vale - Syntax-aware linter for prose and documentation.

Fonts

• font-fira-code - Fira Code - Monospaced font with programming ligatures for clearer code.
• font-fira-code-nerd-font - Fira Code Nerd Font - Fira Code patched with Nerd Font glyphs and icons.
• font-hack-nerd-font - Hack Nerd Font - Patched font with additional glyphs for development.
• font-hackgen - HackGen - Japanese programming font combining Hack and Genshin Gothic.
• font-opendyslexic-nerd-font - OpenDyslexic Nerd Font - Dyslexia-friendly font with Nerd Font icons.

Brewfile - Quick installation

Import Brewfile to your Mac with bundle command

Save the following content into a file named Brewfile, then run the command below to install all listed apps. brew bundle install --file=path/to/Brewfile

My Brewfile:

# Bourne-Again SHell, a UNIX command interpreter
brew "bash"
# Ultralightweight JSON parser in ANSI C
brew "cjson"
# Suite of command-line tools for converting to and working with CSV
brew "csvkit"
# Get a file from an HTTP, HTTPS or FTP server
brew "curl"
# Play, record, convert, and stream select audio and video codecs
brew "ffmpeg"
# Command-line fuzzy finder written in Go
brew "fzf"
# GitHub command-line tool
brew "gh"
# Easy TOC creation for GitHub README.md (in go)
brew "github-markdown-toc"
# Open source programming language to build simple/reliable/efficient software
brew "go"
# Lightweight and flexible command-line JSON processor
brew "jq"
# Fast, async, resource-friendly link checker
brew "lychee"
# Fast, flexible, config-based cli for linting Markdown/CommonMark files
brew "markdownlint-cli2"
# Install NodeJS versions
brew "node-build"
# Node.js version manager
brew "nodenv"
# Libraries for security-enabled client and server applications
brew "nss"
# Open Visual Inference And Optimization toolkit for AI inference
brew "openvino"
# Swiss-army knife of markup format conversion
brew "pandoc"
# General-purpose scripting language
brew "php", restart_service: :changed
# Tool to interact with the Phrase API
brew "phrase-cli"
# Execute binaries from Python packages in isolated environments
brew "pipx"
# Package compiler and linker metadata toolkit
brew "pkgconf"
# Fast, disk space efficient package manager
brew "pnpm"
# Framework for managing multi-language pre-commit hooks
brew "pre-commit"
# Python version management
brew "pyenv"
# Rust toolchain installer
brew "rustup"
# Display directories as trees (with optional color/HTML output)
brew "tree"
# Extremely fast Python package installer and resolver, written in Rust
brew "uv"
# Syntax-aware linter for prose
brew "vale"
# Application launcher and productivity software
cask "alfred"
# OpenAI's official ChatGPT desktop app
cask "chatgpt"
# OpenAI's official browser with ChatGPT built in
cask "chatgpt-atlas"
# Anthropic's official Claude AI desktop app
cask "claude"
# Terminal-based AI coding assistant
cask "claude-code"
# OpenAI's coding agent that runs in your terminal
cask "codex"
# OpenAI's Codex desktop app for managing coding agents
cask "codex-app"
# Write, edit, and chat about your code with AI
cask "cursor"
# Voice and text chat software
cask "discord"
# Collaborative team software
cask "figma"
# Web browser
cask "firefox"
cask "font-fira-code"
cask "font-fira-code-nerd-font"
cask "font-hack-nerd-font"
cask "font-hackgen"
cask "font-opendyslexic-nerd-font"
# Desktop client for GitHub repositories
cask "github"
# Web browser
cask "google-chrome"
# Client for the Google Drive storage service
cask "google-drive"
# Grammarly for desktop
cask "grammarly-desktop"
# Terminal emulator as alternative to Apple's Terminal app
cask "iterm2"
# Menu bar manager
cask "jordanbaird-ice"
# Keyboard customiser
cask "karabiner-elements"
# Open-source keystroke visualiser
cask "keycastr"
# Discover, download, and run local LLMs
cask "lm-studio"
# Software for Logitech devices
cask "logi-options+"
# Open-source Markdown editor
cask "macdown"
# Track and update to the latest versions of installed software
cask "macupdater"
# App to write, plan, collaborate, and get organised
cask "notion"
# Security checklist app
cask "pareto-security"
# Quick Look generator for Markdown files
cask "qlmarkdown"
# Emoji picker optimised for blind people
cask "rocket"
# Collection of apps available by subscription
cask "setapp"
# Team communication and collaboration software
cask "slack"
# Music streaming service
cask "spotify"
# Native GUI for Homebrew package management
cask "taphouse"
# Open-source code editor
cask "visual-studio-code"
# Multimedia player
cask "vlc"
vscode "aaron-bond.better-comments"
vscode "alanwalk.markdown-navigation"
vscode "alefragnani.rtf"
vscode "andersliu.insert-line-number"
vscode "antfu.slidev"
vscode "anthropic.claude-code"
vscode "be5invis.toml"
vscode "bierner.github-markdown-preview"
vscode "bierner.markdown-checkbox"
vscode "bierner.markdown-emoji"
vscode "bierner.markdown-footnotes"
vscode "bierner.markdown-mermaid"
vscode "bierner.markdown-preview-github-styles"
vscode "bierner.markdown-yaml-preamble"
vscode "bodil.prettier-toml"
vscode "bpruitt-goddard.mermaid-markdown-syntax-highlighting"
vscode "burkeholland.simple-react-snippets"
vscode "christian-kohler.npm-intellisense"
vscode "christian-kohler.path-intellisense"
vscode "codedungeon.open-in-macdown"
vscode "csvlinter.csvlinter-vscode"
vscode "dart-code.dart-code"
vscode "dart-code.flutter"
vscode "davidanson.vscode-markdownlint"
vscode "dbaeumer.vscode-eslint"
vscode "dnicolson.binary-plist"
vscode "esbenp.prettier-vscode"
vscode "fabiospampinato.vscode-open-in-finder"
vscode "fasani.coding-in-the-sun"
vscode "figma.figma-vscode-extension"
vscode "fmoronzirfas.open-in-marked"
vscode "formulahendry.auto-close-tag"
vscode "formulahendry.auto-rename-tag"
vscode "foxundermoon.shell-format"
vscode "ginfuru.ginfuru-better-solarized-dark-theme"
vscode "github.github-vscode-theme"
vscode "github.vscode-github-actions"
vscode "github.vscode-pull-request-github"
vscode "golang.go"
vscode "google.arb-editor"
vscode "grapecity.gc-excelviewer"
vscode "humao.rest-client"
vscode "ics.japanese-proofreading"
vscode "idleberg.applescript"
vscode "idleberg.jxa"
vscode "jackytsu.text-transformer"
vscode "janisdd.vscode-edit-csv"
vscode "jannisx11.batch-rename-extension"
vscode "jebbs.plantuml"
vscode "jerriepelser.copy-markdown-as-html"
vscode "jianbingfang.dupchecker"
vscode "jinhyuk.replace-curly-quotes"
vscode "jock.svg"
vscode "jtr.vscode-position"
vscode "kirozen.wordcounter"
vscode "manuth.markdown-converter"
vscode "mechatroner.rainbow-csv"
vscode "mermaidchart.vscode-mermaid-chart"
vscode "mhcpnl.xcodestrings"
vscode "mosapride.zenkaku"
vscode "mousetraps.selected-character-count"
vscode "ms-azuretools.vscode-containers"
vscode "ms-azuretools.vscode-docker"
vscode "ms-playwright.playwright"
vscode "ms-python.black-formatter"
vscode "ms-python.debugpy"
vscode "ms-python.isort"
vscode "ms-python.pylint"
vscode "ms-python.python"
vscode "ms-python.vscode-pylance"
vscode "ms-python.vscode-python-envs"
vscode "ms-vscode-remote.remote-containers"
vscode "ms-vscode.vscode-chat-customizations-evaluations"
vscode "ms-vscode.vscode-websearchforcopilot"
vscode "ms-vscode.wordcount"
vscode "mushan.vscode-paste-image"
vscode "openai.chatgpt"
vscode "phplasma.csv-to-table"
vscode "pkief.material-icon-theme"
vscode "pwabuilder.pwa-studio"
vscode "qwtel.sqlite-viewer"
vscode "redhat.vscode-yaml"
vscode "ritwickdey.liveserver"
vscode "rogalmic.zsh-debug"
vscode "sandcastle.vscode-open"
vscode "satokaz.vscode-bs-ctrlchar-remover"
vscode "shd101wyy.markdown-preview-enhanced"
vscode "sifue.japanese-word-count"
vscode "sleistner.vscode-fileutils"
vscode "streetsidesoftware.code-spell-checker"
vscode "tamasfe.even-better-toml"
vscode "telesoho.vscode-markdown-paste-image"
vscode "thinker.sort-json"
vscode "tomoki1207.pdf"
vscode "tomoyukim.vscode-mermaid-editor"
vscode "tyriar.sort-lines"
vscode "unifiedjs.vscode-mdx"
vscode "usernamehw.remove-empty-lines"
vscode "viablelab.capitalize"
vscode "vincaslt.highlight-matching-tag"
vscode "vstirbu.vscode-mermaid-preview"
vscode "vue.volar"
vscode "wayou.vscode-todo-highlight"
vscode "wengerk.highlight-bad-chars"
vscode "wmaurer.change-case"
vscode "wraith13.open-in-github-desktop"
vscode "yogipatel.solarized-light-no-bold"
vscode "yzane.markdown-pdf"
vscode "yzhang.markdown-all-in-one"
vscode "zignd.html-css-class-completion"
go "golang.org/x/tools/gopls"