Ask HN: What macOS apps/programs do you use daily and recommend?

1

iTerm2

* Homebrew - Package manager (kinda like apt/rpm on Linux). * Secretive - Stores SSH keys in the secure enclave [https://github.com/maxgoedjen/secretive] * Hazel - File automations [https://www.noodlesoft.com/] * Arq - Excellent backup software for local and/or remote backups [https://arqbackup.com/] * ChronoSync - File synchronization on steoroids [https://www.econtechnologies.com/chronosync/overview.html] * Launch Control - Easily edit and control those Launchctl files [https://www.soma-zone.com/LaunchControl/] * Sublime Text - Excellent and fast text editor [https://www.sublimetext.com/] * Sublime Merge - Excellent Git UI [https://www.sublimemerge.com/] * Zed - Currently evaluating if it can replace Sublime Text [https://zed.dev/] * Little Snitch - Network Monitor and Application Firewall [https://obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html] * KnockKnock/BlockBlock/Oversight - Various malware monitoring and detection [https://objective-see.org/index.html] * Draw.io - Diagramming tool [https://www.drawio.com/] * Iterm2 - Terminal Replacement [https://iterm2.com/] I use a bunch of other apps, but the above are probably the most broadly applicable :).

#Terminal #Developer Tools #SSH 105 social mentions

2

Homebrew

- Raycast (https://www.raycast.com/) there's also a free version, I just prefer to support the author with a Pro purchase. - Homebrew (https://brew.sh/) - Visual Studio Code - SyncThing (https://syncthing.net/) - Fantastical (https://flexibits.com/fantastical) - MonitorControl (<a href="https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl#readme">https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl#readme</a>).

#Package Manager #Windows Tools #Front End Package Manager 888 social mentions

3

Maccy

MicDrop - Add a global "mute microphone" button in the status bar (https://getmicdrop.com/) AltTab - Give the same (sane) behaviour to cmd+tab as alt+tab on Windows (https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/) Rectangle - Window snapping (https://rectangleapp.com/) Maccy - A clipboard history manager (https://maccy.app/) DropZone - Add a "shelf" zone in the same way as Dropover. It's less good than Dropover, but it's available in Homebrew (whereas Dropover is only available in the app store) (https://aptonic.com/) Notion Calendar (previously cron) - I love having my next meetings displayed in the status bar, and its notifications are very useful (eg. They have a "join google meet" button).

#Clipboard Manager #Mac #Productivity 50 social mentions

4

Rectangle

MicDrop - Add a global "mute microphone" button in the status bar (https://getmicdrop.com/) AltTab - Give the same (sane) behaviour to cmd+tab as alt+tab on Windows (https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/) Rectangle - Window snapping (https://rectangleapp.com/) Maccy - A clipboard history manager (https://maccy.app/) DropZone - Add a "shelf" zone in the same way as Dropover. It's less good than Dropover, but it's available in Homebrew (whereas Dropover is only available in the app store) (https://aptonic.com/) Notion Calendar (previously cron) - I love having my next meetings displayed in the status bar, and its notifications are very useful (eg. They have a "join google meet" button).

#Mac Tools #Window Manager #Developer Tools 451 social mentions

5

Karabiner

Besides the usual Firefox/Chrome, Spotify, etc I use the following: - Karabiner-Elements for key remapping, specifically, for making caps lock into ctrl/esc. I don't know of anything else that does this job. Everyone who remaps keys seems to use this. - Kitty as my terminal of choice. I spend most of my time logged in remotely to a server via ssh where I attach to a tmux session. Kitty was easy enough to configure/theme and seems well-documented. - Hammerspoon[2] for a DIY automation/keybinding/window management sys scriptable via lua. I use a private fork of this config: https://github.com/jasonrudolph/keyboard/tree/main [1] https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/ [2] https://www.hammerspoon.org/ [3] https://www.getvivid.app/.

#Mac Tools #Window Manager #Automation 271 social mentions

6

Kitty terminal

Besides the usual Firefox/Chrome, Spotify, etc I use the following: - Karabiner-Elements for key remapping, specifically, for making caps lock into ctrl/esc. I don't know of anything else that does this job. Everyone who remaps keys seems to use this. - Kitty as my terminal of choice. I spend most of my time logged in remotely to a server via ssh where I attach to a tmux session. Kitty was easy enough to configure/theme and seems well-documented. - Hammerspoon[2] for a DIY automation/keybinding/window management sys scriptable via lua. I use a private fork of this config: https://github.com/jasonrudolph/keyboard/tree/main [1] https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/ [2] https://www.hammerspoon.org/ [3] https://www.getvivid.app/.

#Terminal Tools #SSH #Server Management 90 social mentions

7

CotEditor

#Text Editors #IDE #Software Development 25 social mentions

8

Zed

* Homebrew - Package manager (kinda like apt/rpm on Linux). * Secretive - Stores SSH keys in the secure enclave [https://github.com/maxgoedjen/secretive] * Hazel - File automations [https://www.noodlesoft.com/] * Arq - Excellent backup software for local and/or remote backups [https://arqbackup.com/] * ChronoSync - File synchronization on steoroids [https://www.econtechnologies.com/chronosync/overview.html] * Launch Control - Easily edit and control those Launchctl files [https://www.soma-zone.com/LaunchControl/] * Sublime Text - Excellent and fast text editor [https://www.sublimetext.com/] * Sublime Merge - Excellent Git UI [https://www.sublimemerge.com/] * Zed - Currently evaluating if it can replace Sublime Text [https://zed.dev/] * Little Snitch - Network Monitor and Application Firewall [https://obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html] * KnockKnock/BlockBlock/Oversight - Various malware monitoring and detection [https://objective-see.org/index.html] * Draw.io - Diagramming tool [https://www.drawio.com/] * Iterm2 - Terminal Replacement [https://iterm2.com/] I use a bunch of other apps, but the above are probably the most broadly applicable :).

#Productivity #Code Editor #Text Editors 14 social mentions

9

Little Snitch

* Homebrew - Package manager (kinda like apt/rpm on Linux). * Secretive - Stores SSH keys in the secure enclave [https://github.com/maxgoedjen/secretive] * Hazel - File automations [https://www.noodlesoft.com/] * Arq - Excellent backup software for local and/or remote backups [https://arqbackup.com/] * ChronoSync - File synchronization on steoroids [https://www.econtechnologies.com/chronosync/overview.html] * Launch Control - Easily edit and control those Launchctl files [https://www.soma-zone.com/LaunchControl/] * Sublime Text - Excellent and fast text editor [https://www.sublimetext.com/] * Sublime Merge - Excellent Git UI [https://www.sublimemerge.com/] * Zed - Currently evaluating if it can replace Sublime Text [https://zed.dev/] * Little Snitch - Network Monitor and Application Firewall [https://obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html] * KnockKnock/BlockBlock/Oversight - Various malware monitoring and detection [https://objective-see.org/index.html] * Draw.io - Diagramming tool [https://www.drawio.com/] * Iterm2 - Terminal Replacement [https://iterm2.com/] I use a bunch of other apps, but the above are probably the most broadly applicable :).

#Firewall #Monitoring Tools #Cyber Security 6 social mentions

10

Arq

* Homebrew - Package manager (kinda like apt/rpm on Linux). * Secretive - Stores SSH keys in the secure enclave [https://github.com/maxgoedjen/secretive] * Hazel - File automations [https://www.noodlesoft.com/] * Arq - Excellent backup software for local and/or remote backups [https://arqbackup.com/] * ChronoSync - File synchronization on steoroids [https://www.econtechnologies.com/chronosync/overview.html] * Launch Control - Easily edit and control those Launchctl files [https://www.soma-zone.com/LaunchControl/] * Sublime Text - Excellent and fast text editor [https://www.sublimetext.com/] * Sublime Merge - Excellent Git UI [https://www.sublimemerge.com/] * Zed - Currently evaluating if it can replace Sublime Text [https://zed.dev/] * Little Snitch - Network Monitor and Application Firewall [https://obdev.at/products/littlesnitch/index.html] * KnockKnock/BlockBlock/Oversight - Various malware monitoring and detection [https://objective-see.org/index.html] * Draw.io - Diagramming tool [https://www.drawio.com/] * Iterm2 - Terminal Replacement [https://iterm2.com/] I use a bunch of other apps, but the above are probably the most broadly applicable :).

#Cloud Storage #File Sharing #Backup & Sync 15 social mentions

11

Syncthing

- Raycast (https://www.raycast.com/) there's also a free version, I just prefer to support the author with a Pro purchase. - Homebrew (https://brew.sh/) - Visual Studio Code - SyncThing (https://syncthing.net/) - Fantastical (https://flexibits.com/fantastical) - MonitorControl (<a href="https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl#readme">https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl#readme</a>).

#Cloud Storage #File Sharing #File Sharing And Backup 830 social mentions

12

Fantastical 2

- Raycast (https://www.raycast.com/) there's also a free version, I just prefer to support the author with a Pro purchase. - Homebrew (https://brew.sh/) - Visual Studio Code - SyncThing (https://syncthing.net/) - Fantastical (https://flexibits.com/fantastical) - MonitorControl (<a href="https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl#readme">https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl#readme</a>).

#Calendar #Appointments and Scheduling #Office & Productivity 27 social mentions

13

Cursorcerer

The <i>only</i> macOS app that is actually able to properly dim my monitor beneath the lowest brightness setting without hacks like painting an overlay above your desktop such that it blinds my eyes when ever I switch workspaces. Cursorcerer https://doomlaser.com/cursorcerer-hide-your-cursor-at-will/.

#Remote Monitoring And Management #Patch Management #Terminal 6 social mentions

14

Shortcat

Shortcat: https://shortcat.app/ It makes it VERY easy to keep your fingers on the keyboard almost all the time, which really helps things fly. It's an equivalent of the AceJump plugin for IntelliJ if you've used that, but it uses the accessibility tree instead of the contents of the editor.

#Web Browsers #Text Editors #Web Development Tools 27 social mentions

15

SigmaOS

Has anyone used the SigmaOS browser? I was surprised to learn that Orion isn't the only new WebKit browser project right now: <a href="https://sigmaos.com">https://sigmaos.com</a>.

#Web Browsers #Productivity #Web Development Tools 12 social mentions

16

TechniCalc

If I might add my own - TechniCalc - https://jacobdoescode.com/technicalc.

#Android #iPhone #Apple Watch 4 social mentions

17

Eagle App

Sketch (https://www.sketch.com/) they have brought back stand alone license without subscription hell. Handbrake - Video conversion Eagle (https://eagle.cool/) collecte and organize all design//visual inspiration at one place(this is also my default screengrab app) Monodraw - Flowchart, ASCII, Visual thinking app.

#Productivity #Digital Asset Management #Image Management 44 social mentions

18

AppCleaner

#Monitoring Tools #CRM #Utilities 303 social mentions

19

AltTab

MicDrop - Add a global "mute microphone" button in the status bar (https://getmicdrop.com/) AltTab - Give the same (sane) behaviour to cmd+tab as alt+tab on Windows (https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/) Rectangle - Window snapping (https://rectangleapp.com/) Maccy - A clipboard history manager (https://maccy.app/) DropZone - Add a "shelf" zone in the same way as Dropover. It's less good than Dropover, but it's available in Homebrew (whereas Dropover is only available in the app store) (https://aptonic.com/) Notion Calendar (previously cron) - I love having my next meetings displayed in the status bar, and its notifications are very useful (eg. They have a "join google meet" button).

#Mac #Note Taking #Window Manager 13 social mentions

20

Dropzone

MicDrop - Add a global "mute microphone" button in the status bar (https://getmicdrop.com/) AltTab - Give the same (sane) behaviour to cmd+tab as alt+tab on Windows (https://alt-tab-macos.netlify.app/) Rectangle - Window snapping (https://rectangleapp.com/) Maccy - A clipboard history manager (https://maccy.app/) DropZone - Add a "shelf" zone in the same way as Dropover. It's less good than Dropover, but it's available in Homebrew (whereas Dropover is only available in the app store) (https://aptonic.com/) Notion Calendar (previously cron) - I love having my next meetings displayed in the status bar, and its notifications are very useful (eg. They have a "join google meet" button).

#Note Taking #Information Organization #Image Optimisation 9 social mentions

21

Proxie

I'll try to point out some things I haven't seen in the list so far: - https://github.com/zorgiepoo/Komet for splitting a single (large) wallpaper over multiple displays - https://proxie.app for network traffic inspection - https://apps.apple.com/th/app/the-clock/id488764545?mt=12 for a multi timezone-aware clock - https://apps.apple.com/th/app/patterns-the-regex-app/id429449079?mt=12 for quickly writing/checking Regular Expressions - https://tableplus.com for an RDBMS client.

#Developer Tools #Security #Proxy 3 social mentions

22

TablePlus

I'll try to point out some things I haven't seen in the list so far: - https://github.com/zorgiepoo/Komet for splitting a single (large) wallpaper over multiple displays - https://proxie.app for network traffic inspection - https://apps.apple.com/th/app/the-clock/id488764545?mt=12 for a multi timezone-aware clock - https://apps.apple.com/th/app/patterns-the-regex-app/id429449079?mt=12 for quickly writing/checking Regular Expressions - https://tableplus.com for an RDBMS client.

#Database Management #Databases #MySQL Tools 58 social mentions

23

Stats

* MacPorts: Everything you need to make Apple Unix equivalent to a Linux box, plus more. Works with the Apple OS, not against it. Doesn't put things in weird places or expect to disable SIP etc. Updates the old versions of CLI stuff that is in the standard MacOS (eg bash, GNU utilities etc). * iTerm2: Awesome terminal. In terms of MacOS stuff to enhance the out-of-the-box: * Bartender to control what shows on the menu bar https://www.macbartender.com/ (note, it has recently changed hands and people are suggesting to use "Ice" instead) * Rectangle: To control windows and screens via the keyboard * Arq: Better than Time Machine, allows selective backups and supports multiple destinations (OneDrive, NAS, etc) * Monitor Control: Controls brightness across multi-screen setups https://github.com/MonitorControl/MonitorControl#readme.

#Monitoring Tools #Device Management #Mac Tools 95 social mentions

24

Soulver 3 for Mac

Soulver: https://soulver.app Back when I tried it, it felt less like a "magical calculating plaintext file" to me. But lots of people love it. The other option is something like a Jupyter notebook.

#Calculator #Advanced Calculator #Productivity 32 social mentions

25

Fork

Git Fork: a git client with a similar level of polish to Tower, but as a one-time purchase instead of a subscription product. https://git-fork.com/.

#Git #Git Tools #Git Client 86 social mentions

26

Things

Alfred - Productivity App for macOS [1] iTerm2 - macOS Terminal Replacement [2] Dropshare App - upload anything anywhere on macOS [3] Mimestream - A native macOS email client for Gmail [4] Things - To-Do List for Mac & iOS [5] [1] https://www.alfredapp.com [2] https://iterm2.com [3] https://dropshare.app [4] https://mimestream.com [5] https://culturedcode.com/things.

#Project Management #Task Management #Todos 55 social mentions

27

Dropshare

Alfred - Productivity App for macOS [1] iTerm2 - macOS Terminal Replacement [2] Dropshare App - upload anything anywhere on macOS [3] Mimestream - A native macOS email client for Gmail [4] Things - To-Do List for Mac & iOS [5] [1] https://www.alfredapp.com [2] https://iterm2.com [3] https://dropshare.app [4] https://mimestream.com [5] https://culturedcode.com/things.

#Cloud Storage #File Sharing #Encrypted Cloud Storage 11 social mentions

28

Mimestream

Alfred - Productivity App for macOS [1] iTerm2 - macOS Terminal Replacement [2] Dropshare App - upload anything anywhere on macOS [3] Mimestream - A native macOS email client for Gmail [4] Things - To-Do List for Mac & iOS [5] [1] https://www.alfredapp.com [2] https://iterm2.com [3] https://dropshare.app [4] https://mimestream.com [5] https://culturedcode.com/things.

#Enterprise Communication #Messaging #Email 59 social mentions

29

yabai

#Window Manager #OSX Tools #Mac Tools 133 social mentions