🖖 David's Dotfiles - "Engage!"

"Make it so!" - A complete macOS setup system inspired by Star Trek's efficiency and elegance.

From zero to fully configured macOS in minutes. This dotfiles repository provides a comprehensive, automated setup for developers, writers, and knowledge workers.

🚀 Quick Start

One command to rule them all:

# From GitHub
git clone https://github.com/davidglidden/dotfiles.git ~/dotfiles && ~/dotfiles/engage

# From Gitea (alternative mirror)
git clone git@git.davidglidden.eu:davidglidden/dotfiles.git ~/dotfiles && ~/dotfiles/engage

That's it! The engage script will guide you through a complete system setup.

✨ What This System Provides

📦 Software Management

• 120+ CLI tools via Homebrew (development, media, security)
• 40+ Applications via casks (productivity, creativity, utilities)
• 20+ Mac App Store apps via mas (native macOS apps)

🔧 Configuration Management

• Shell setup: Zsh with Antidote, Powerlevel10k, history sync
• Development tools: Git hooks, SSH templates, NPM config
• Application configs: LaunchBar, Hazel, Bartender, Karabiner
• Obsidian vault: Complete knowledge management system

🖥️ macOS System Configuration

• System preferences: Dock, Finder, keyboard, security
• Security hardening: Firewall, privacy, authentication
• Keyboard shortcuts: Mission Control, app shortcuts
• Developer settings: Safari dev tools, Terminal enhancements

🛡️ Backup & Security Strategy

• Encrypted backups for sensitive files (SSH keys, credentials)
• History management with daily snapshots and retention
• Git hooks for security and code quality
• Application data backup and restore scripts

📁 Repository Structure

dotfiles/
├── engage                     # 🖖 Master installation script
├── Brewfile                   # Package management (brew/cask/mas)
├── README.md                  # This file
├── .gitconfig                 # Git configuration
├── .npmrc                     # NPM defaults
├── .zshrc                     # Shell configuration
├── .vimrc                     # Vim configuration
├── bin/                       # Custom scripts
│   ├── backup-dotfiles        # Quick dotfiles backup
│   └── check-app-configs      # Configuration status checker
├── git/                       # Git configuration
│   └── hooks/                 # Global git hooks
├── macos/                     # macOS system configuration
│   ├── setup-macos.sh         # Master macOS setup
│   ├── defaults.sh            # System preferences
│   ├── security.sh            # Security hardening
│   └── keyboard-shortcuts.sh  # Custom shortcuts
├── macos-apps/                # macOS app configurations
│   └── backup-app-configs.sh  # App settings backup
├── obsidian/                  # Obsidian knowledge vault
│   ├── setup-obsidian.sh      # Vault configuration
│   └── community-plugins.json # Essential plugins
├── scripts/                   # Installation scripts
│   └── symlinks.sh            # Dotfile linking
├── shell/                     # Shell enhancements
│   └── history-sync.zsh       # History management
└── ssh/                       # SSH configuration
    ├── config.example         # SSH config template
    └── README.md              # SSH setup guide

🎯 Core Philosophy

This system balances automation with choice:

• Smart defaults that work out of the box
• Interactive modes for customization
• Modular design - use what you need
• Security first - encrypted backups, secure defaults
• Documentation - clear guides and examples

Inspired by the best dotfiles repositories but designed for real-world complexity.

📱 Essential Applications Included

Development

• iTerm2 + Kitty - Terminal emulators
• BBEdit - Text editor with deep macOS integration
• GitHub Desktop - Git GUI
• Docker - Containerization

Productivity

• Obsidian - Knowledge management powerhouse
• 1Password - Password management
• LaunchBar - Application launcher
• Hazel - Automated file organization
• Drafts - Quick capture and text processing

Utilities

• Karabiner-Elements - Keyboard customization
• Bartender - Menu bar organization
• Keka - Archive utility
• Oversight - Privacy monitoring
• Signal - Secure messaging

Creative & Media

• VLC - Media player
• HandBrake - Video transcoding
• Transmit - File transfer
• Calibre - E-book management

🛠️ Advanced Usage

Manual Installation Steps

If you prefer granular control:

# 1. Install packages only
brew bundle install --file=~/dotfiles/Brewfile

# 2. Set up dotfiles
~/dotfiles/scripts/symlinks.sh

# 3. Configure macOS
~/dotfiles/macos/setup-macos.sh

# 4. Set up applications
~/dotfiles/macos-apps/backup-app-configs.sh

Customization

Modify the Brewfile to add/remove applications:

# Add new CLI tool
brew "your-tool"

# Add new application
cask "your-app"

# Add Mac App Store app
mas "App Name", id: 123456789

Customize macOS defaults in macos/defaults.sh:

# Change dock position
defaults write com.apple.dock orientation -string "left"

# Adjust key repeat speed
defaults write NSGlobalDomain KeyRepeat -int 1

Backup Strategy

Before making changes:

# Backup current dotfiles
~/dotfiles/bin/backup-dotfiles

# Backup macOS settings  
~/dotfiles/macos/backup-defaults.sh

# Backup sensitive files (encrypted)
~/dotfiles/backup-scripts/backup-sensitive.sh

🔐 Security Features

• SSH keys encrypted with GPG
• Firewall enabled with stealth mode
• Privacy settings optimized
• Git hooks prevent secrets in commits
• Secure defaults for Safari and system
• Application permissions documented

🧠 Obsidian Knowledge System

Includes a sophisticated personal knowledge management setup:

• 13 essential plugins for advanced functionality
• Template system with Templater integration
• Daily/weekly/monthly review cycles
• Christopher Alexander pattern language philosophy
• Multilingual support (EN/ES/FR/CA)

🤝 Contributing

This is a personal dotfiles repository, but ideas and improvements are welcome:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch
3. Test thoroughly on a fresh macOS installation
4. Submit a pull request with clear description

📜 License

MIT License - Use, modify, and share freely.

🙏 Acknowledgments

Inspired by:

• Mathias Bynens' dotfiles
• ptb/mac-setup
• Homebrew Bundle
• The Star Trek universe for the best command ever: "Engage!"

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Live long and prosper! 🖖

Made with ❤️ for the macOS community