Boosting macOS Efficiency: Practical Tips
Tags: webdev, productivity
Published: 2024-04-27 15:15:12

## 1. Hide the Dock
To maximize screen real estate, I prefer setting the Dock to auto-hide mode. This not only saves space at the bottom of the screen but also makes the Dock virtually unnecessary when introducing the next tip.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/0khniy0cx0v8btnjtamv.png)


Enjoy a distraction-free minimalist workspace.

### Steps to set the Dock to auto-hide

Go to System Preferences -> Select Desktop & Dock -> Check "Automatically hide and show the Dock"



![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/kkfgvv1w8fokrdlkijby.png)



I also recommend resizing the Dock and fine-tuning the magnification effect, which is more of a personal preference.

### Eliminating Dock Pop-up Animation Delay

After hiding the Dock, it only appears when the mouse is moved to the bottom of the screen.

**However, there's a minor issue: the pop-up animation is too slow.**

The Dock takes about 1.5 seconds to appear, which can be cumbersome.

What's the solution? Apple doesn't offer a graphical interface setting for this, but a simple terminal command does the trick.

### Here's how

Open your preferred terminal program

Paste the following command and hit enter:

```
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -float 0.15;killall Dock
```

This command adjusts the Dock's animation speed to about 0.15 seconds, which I find both fast and smooth.

To completely disable Dock animation:

```
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -int 0;killall Dock
```

To revert to default animation speed:

```
defaults delete com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier;killall Dock
```

This way, you can free up more space for any application without distractions.

## 2. Efficient App Switching

Working in a multi-tasking environment often requires switching between multiple apps.
Use Command + Tab to switch between open apps and launch new ones with [Alfred, which is entirely free](https://www.alfredapp.com/).



![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/pobqd0j4sa4r5ca7uspj.png)


While you could use Spotlight, Alfred beats Spotlight because:
- It offers richer functionality
- It has more visual customization options
- Most importantly, it supports custom searches.
Just set your search keywords in Alfred.



![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/guje1uav638bs764evoz.png)


Imagine searching for YouTube videos with a simple command:


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/hs7otxzbbjtvosn2kwvy.png)


Or searching on Google:



![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/m28bc239yxjrfnd4brlr.png)


Or using Command + 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 shortcuts for quick app access:



![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/6rqhop8fqiertoa3ebyr.png)


Once you start using Alfred, you'll be hooked, speaking from experience.
P.S. (Don't forget to use Command + TAB)


## 3. Mastering Shortcuts

Mastering basic shortcuts can significantly boost work efficiency.

**Though it takes time to get proficient with shortcuts, once mastered, they greatly enhance your efficiency across the macOS ecosystem.**

### Frequently used shortcuts

Command + Space / Command + Return — Activate Spotlight / Alfred.
Command + Q — Quit apps completely.
Command + Tab — Switch to the previous app.
Long press Command + Tab, then keep pressing Tab — Switch between all open apps.
Command + H — Hide the current app.
Command + Option + Q — Force quit apps (for unresponsive apps).
Command + , (comma) — Open settings for most apps.

### Screenshot shortcuts

Command + Shift + 5 — A new macOS feature for screenshots.
Command + Shift + 5 allows capturing perfect screenshots with rounded corners and shadows.
Create a GIF showcasing the screenshot feature
This is Apple's magic at work.

**Other quick screenshot options**
Command + Shift + 4 — Capture a specific area.
Command + Shift + 3 — Capture the entire screen.

### Browser shortcuts

**This is where real magic lies.**

Command + T — Open a new tab.
Command + L — Jump to the link input box of the current tab.
Command + Shift + T — Reopen the last closed tab.
Command + W — Close the current tab.
Command + 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 — Switch between tabs.
Command + arrow keys (left/right) — Navigate forward/backward.

### Text handling shortcuts

Shift + arrow keys (left/right) — Select text word by word.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/rrnwiroy94uo4n8mcze6.png)


Shift + Option + arrow keys (left/right) — Select text by words.
Shift + Command + arrow keys (left/right) — Select entire lines.
Shift + arrow keys (up/down) — Select text line by line.
Option + Delete — Delete the current word.

### Classic shortcuts

Command + c / command + v — Copy / Paste.
Command + a — Select all text.
Command + d — Delete the current line.

## 4. Improve Typing Speed

Like learning shortcuts, improving typing speed may initially seem challenging, but it's definitely worth it in the long run.
Two main websites for typing practice: monkeytype.com

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/kaena0h01ydgx8qkkffo.png)



An ideal place for tech enthusiasts to practice typing, track progress, and increase speed. The site offers stunning themes and allows custom theme creation. My love for this website knows no bounds.
typeracer.com

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/e4e73myqq7tfdofvh75x.png)


Practice typing with players worldwide. Competition is the best way to improve skills.

## 5. Use Local Web Environment

I personally prefer using [ServBay](https://www.servbay.com). It's an outstanding local [development environment](https://www.servbay.com) that's ready to be used with just a few clicks after downloading. It incorporates multiple versions of PHP from 5.6 to 8.4, along with a wide range of PHP modules and packages.

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/jjtc6w8stavrsz05ubw9.png)


Previously, I used MAMP, but unfortunately, MAMP only supports a single host. Meanwhile, the free version of ServBay supports up to five hosts, which is perfectly adequate for my needs.
ServBay has significantly boosted my coding efficiency by removing the need to focus on deploying development environments, allowing me to truly concentrate on coding development.

## 6. Using Arc Browser
After years of loyalty to Chrome, I switched to Arc for its additional features, visual customization options, and better performance.
(Arc is built on Chromium, so it supports all Chrome extensions)
**Arc offers users separate workspaces and a handy sidebar as an alternative to traditional tab management. Why settle for a row of ordinary tabs when you can have.**

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/yembeldv8koqnlw9o7gj.png)


- Continuous workspaces
- Persistent tabs
- Important tabs
- Temporary/Archived tabs
**Arc modernizes the browser concept, transforming it into a productivity tool.**
Forget traditional link rows. Embrace command-panel-like searches

![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/vpwo6w9jvufwe8qmy9u9.png)


One-click import to Arc.
One-click for a distraction-free, feature-enhanced Chrome experience.

**Truly focus on work.**

With no other tabs to distract, you can concentrate on the task at hand. To open the sidebar, just press Command + S.

**The rest of the time, you can focus on your current task. This is minimalism at its best.**

**Everything is accessible via shortcuts**

Arc encourages the use of shortcuts, making it one of the fastest and most convenient browsers.

[Download Arc here](https://arc.net/)

I highly recommend giving Arc a try, really.

## In conclusion

When it comes to boosting productivity on a Mac, the key lies in mastering basic operations.

Why settle for mastering a single app when you can master the entire macOS and improve efficiency in all areas?

These tips are the result of my years of using a Mac, and they have proven to be highly effective.

I hope this guide helps you achieve the same success in this magical system.