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Rajat V
Rajat V

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mac-init : Initial Setup for a Productivity Boost (No Fluff)

I’ll walk you through a few apps and tweaks that genuinely improved my productivity on Mac over time. Macs are great machines, but there are definitely some things I missed after switching from Windows.

1. Alt-Tab

Why I installed it:

  • I like using multiple desktops, each dedicated to a specific type of work. I don't use full-screen apps much - I prefer switching between desktops.

The problem? The native Command + Tab on macOS sometimes pulls up a window from another desktop, which completely breaks the flow.

Solution:

  • If you're looking for a proper Windows-style Alt + Tab that only switches between apps on the current desktop, this is exactly what you need.
  • Link: https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/

After installing, go to settings → controls and tweak it based on your preference.
I use below configuration -

2. AutoRaise

Problem:

  • Having to click twice just to focus a window gets annoying really fast.

Fix:

  • AutoRaise lets you simply hover over a window to focus it - no clicks needed. It sounds small, but it's a huge quality-of-life improvement.
  • Link: https://github.com/sbmpost/AutoRaise

3. AlDente

Problem:

  • I mostly use my Mac plugged in (lab/home setup). Charging to 100% constantly isn't great for battery health.
  • macOS does have optimized charging, but it's inconsistent - sometimes it stops at 80%, sometimes it goes all the way to 100%.

Fix:

4. Boring Notch

Think of it as a Dynamic Island for Mac - but actually useful.
It adds some neat features like:

5. Rectangle

Problem:

  • Window management on macOS is honestly limited - especially if you're used to Windows snapping.
  • On a 4K external monitor, being restricted to just split-screen halves feels like a waste of space.

Fix:

  • Rectangle unlocks proper window management:
    • Grid layouts
    • Custom shortcuts
    • Precise resizing

This one's a must-have if you multitask heavily.
Link: https://rectangleapp.com/

6. Built-in Gestures & Dock Tweaks

macOS already has some solid built-in features - you just need to use them properly.

  • Trackpad gestures (like three-finger selection) are super underrated.
  • I personally don't like the Dock always being visible - it wastes space.

So I enabled auto-hide with this command:

defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool true; killall Dock

Now:

  • Dock stays hidden
  • Apps use full screen space
  • Dock appears only when I hover over it

Clean and distraction-free.

Final Thoughts

Mac is powerful out of the box, but with a few tweaks, it becomes way more efficient - especially if you're coming from Windows and miss certain workflows.

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