Mac Build (using Ansible)

Artwork courtesy of Apple

Introduction

The goal of this project is fully automate macOS workstation using Ansible. I have currently implemented the following:

• macOS & Software Defaults: Updating of plist properties for various aspects of macOS and software configuration. This uses a custom plist module which allows for complex updates of plist files far beyond the defaults command. The plist module is a modified version of Matthias Neugebauer's plist module.
• Unix Package Installation: This is being accomplish with the use of homebrew.
• Development Setup: Installation and configuration of technologies such as Python, Node.js and Docker.
• Desktop Application Installation: This is being performed with the use of homebrew-cask.
• Appstore Application Check: Perform a check to see if the app is installed, and notify the user that they must install it from the App Store if it isn't.
• Configuration Files & Symlinks: Any files and folders that are to be copied or symlinked, including app settings, licenses and dotfiles.
• Dock Configuration: Automatic building of the Dock using dockutil.
• Launchpad Configuration: Automatic building of Launchpad layout using my own developed utility (see launchpad.py).
• Default Apps: File associations for various applications using duti.
• Startup Setup: Ensures that the required items start on startup using loginitems.
• Terminal Customisation: Setting up the Terminal using JXA.

Quick Start

Before you get started, you may wish to perform the following steps to save time and ensure everything works as expected:

1. Copy a Homebrew cache backup to ~/Library/Caches/Homebrew
2. Copy App Store apps that you have previously downloaded to /Applications
3. Copy System Automation containing various settings and licenses to ~/Documents
4. Install Apple's Command Line Tools manually to avoid them being re-downloaded

Now, run the following in your Terminal to use my configuration:

git clone https://github.com/fgimian/macbuild.git
cd macbuild
./macbuild.sh

It is strongly suggested that you reboot your Mac after the first run of this tool.

If you wish to install the various sample libraries and sound packs, connect one of your backup drives and run the following:

./extras/samples.py

Manual Tasks

The following tasks must be performed manually as I have yet to find a way to automate them.

Installation & Configuration (macOS)

• Finder: Setup sidebar containing favourites
• Services: In System Preferences / Keyboard / Services, enable 'New Terminal at Folder' and 'New Terminal Tab at Folder'
• Screen Saver: Set the screen saver to 'Flurry'
• Notification Centre: Set the order of items and allow permission
• Safari: Install extensions (1Password and Adblock Plus)
• App Store Login Items: Start App Store menubar apps and set them to start at login (AppCleaner and OneDrive)
• Keyboard Shortcuts: Under System Preferences / Keyboard:
  • Set 'Show Launchpad' to F14 under 'Launchpad & Dock'
  • Set 'Show Notification Center' to F15 under 'Mission Control'
  • Set 'Show Desktop' to F13 under 'Mission Control'
  • Disable 'Show Dashboard' under 'Mission Control'

Installation & Configuration (General)

• Audio Hijack: Start the app multiple times to dismiss welcome and mailing list alerts. You must also install Instant On to ensure the app works.
• Clear: Enable iCloud
• Focus: Start Focus manually as it won't initialise successfully with launchd starting it for the first time.
• Dropbox: Disable camera uploads
• Forklift: Sidebar containing favourites and view settings
• World Clock: Country selection settings

Installation & Configuration (Music Production)

• Ableton Live Suite: Preferences including skin selection
• Ableton Sample Packs: Installation of Ableton Live sounds
• Apple Logic Pro X: Preferences and key bindings
• Steinberg Cubase Pro: Preferences and key bindings
• Default Plug-in Presets: Setup default presets for your most used VST effects and instruments

Manual Licensing

• Microsoft Office
• Cytomic The Drop & The Glue
• LennarDigital Sylenth1
• Native Instruments Komplete
• Novation Bass Station

Software Deactivation

The following software should be deactivated before re-installing macOS:

• Celemony Melodyne Editor
• LennarDigital Sylenth1

References

Projects

• mac-dev-playbook
• ansible-modules-plist
• legacy-common
• custom-ansible-osx

Frameworks

• superlumic
• battleschool
• osxc

Blog Posts

• Automating your development environment with Ansible
• How to automate your Mac OS X setup with Ansible
• Using Ansible to automate OSX installs via Superlumic
• How to Bootstrap a new OS X Environment with Ansible
• Automation of Installation on Mac w/ Ansible

License

Mac Build is released under the MIT license. Please see the LICENSE file for more details. Feel free take what you like and use it in your own Ansible scripts.