I’ve optimized my MacBook setup for DevOps and development to streamline my workflow. With a combination of powerful tools like Oh My Zsh, Homebrew, and cloud CLI tools, this setup enables me to manage Kubernetes clusters, cloud resources, and code development efficiently. This guide provides a breakdown of essential tools to enhance your own MacBook setup for DevOps and development.
1. Shell Setup: Oh My Zsh & NerdFonts
When setting up a MacBook for DevOps and development, having a well-configured terminal is crucial. That’s why I rely on Oh My Zsh and NerdFonts to make my terminal more efficient and visually appealing.
- Oh My Zsh: A delightful framework for managing your Zsh configuration.
- NerdFonts: I use NerdFonts with Oh My Zsh to make my terminal icons look better. It’s a collection of fonts that include extra glyphs (icons) for popular terminal tools.
I also added a few Zsh plugins like zsh-syntax-highlighting and zsh-autosuggestions to boost productivity.
2. Homebrew: Installing Tools for DevOps and Development on MacBook
Next up is Homebrew, the package manager for macOS. It makes it super easy to install and manage different tools.
Here are the key tools I installed via Homebrew:
- kubectl: To interact with my Kubernetes clusters.
- kubectx/kubens: Makes switching between Kubernetes clusters and namespaces a breeze.
- Helm: The Kubernetes package manager.
- tfenv: I use this to manage multiple versions of Terraform.
- pyenv: Python version manager that allows me to install and switch between different versions easily.
- Go: My go-to for writing small, efficient utilities.
- VSCode and Zed: I toggle between these two editors depending on the project.
- ExpressVPN: Essential for privacy and secure browsing.
Installing all these tools is super easy via Homebrew:
brew install kubectl kubectx helm tfenv pyenv go3. Cloud CLI Tools for DevOps on MacBook.
Managing cloud services directly from the command line is essential for my work. Here are the CLI tools I use for various platforms:
- AWS CLI: The official tool to manage AWS services from the command line.
- Azure CLI: The Azure command-line interface to manage resources on Microsoft Azure.
- Google Cloud CLI: The SDK for managing Google Cloud Platform services via terminal commands.
You can easily install them via Homebrew:
brew install awscli azure-cli google-cloud-sdkThese CLI tools allow me to deploy, manage, and scale cloud resources efficiently without leaving my terminal.
4. Terminal Experience: iTerm2
For a more advanced terminal experience, I use iTerm2. It supports split panes, better search, and extensive customizability, making it far superior to the default Terminal app.
5. Version Control: GitHub Desktop
I prefer the command line for Git, but I also use GitHub Desktop for a visual take on pull requests and code reviews. It integrates well with GitHub, making repository management easier.
Final Thoughts
This setup ensures that I’m ready to handle anything from Kubernetes management to cloud services with ease. Whether you’re setting up a new MacBook for DevOps or looking to enhance your existing environment, these tools will definitely boost your productivity.