Every time I start a Mac from scratch I have a ritual: I grab a mate, open the checklist and start installing these five apps. They are not “cool apps” to fill out, they are the ones that save my day working, recording, programming and managing servers without the computer playing against me.
Here I tell you why they are in my setup, what I touched about the configuration and in what situations they changed my life.
1) Amphetamine — your Mac wakes up when needed
When I'm compiling, running migrations, recording screen, or leaving long processes over SSH, I don't want the Mac to go to sleep. Amphetamine is a “no-sleep” steroid.
* What it does: Keeps the Mac awake for a while, while an app runs or until a condition is met.
* How I use it:
+ “Until this app finishes” session for builds or renders.
+ Trigger via Wi-Fi network to prevent you from falling asleep when I'm at home.
+ Quick shortcut in the menu bar to activate 30/60 min before a call or demo.
* Tip: if you prefer something minimalist, there was Caffeine and there is the native caffeinate command, but Amphetamine gives you fine controls without opening Terminal.
It's free and light. I always install it.
2) TopNotch — flawless top bar (and invisible notch)
If you use dark mode, the top bar may look half “cut” around the notch. TopNotch fixes it by leaving everything even and, in the process, makes the notch visually disappear.
* What it does: Applies a solid, consistent black background to the menu bar.
* When you notice it: recording screen, presenting, or if the jagged line on macOS bothers you.
* It's set and forget. It consumes almost no resources.
Free and effective. It doesn't change your flow, but it gives you a neat setup.
3) BetterDisplay — full control of external monitors
If you work with external monitors, this app is a before and after. It allows you to adjust “real” HiDPI resolutions, create virtual displays and even manage brightness with keys on monitors that do not support it well.
* What I use most:
+ HiDPI scaling so everything looks sharp on 2K/4K monitors.
+ Brightness/contrast with external keyboard (DDC/CI).
+ Virtual displays to record or share screen with a clean “monitor”.
* When it shines: if your monitor looked “washed out” or too small/large, you can leave it ready here.
* Note: it has free functions and a Pro version. With the base you already solve a lot.
For devs and video/photo editors, it's a great goal.
4) AltTab — switch windows like in Windows (but good)
Native macOS app switching doesn't always show each individual window. AltTab brings you Windows-like previews and much more precise control.
* What I like:
+ One entry per window (not per app).
+ Large previews and search by name.
+ Rules to ignore apps or spaces.
* Personal settings:
+ Alt+Tab shortcut for everything, and I left Cmd+Tab native.
+ Hide minimized windows to clean up the view.
If you live with several IDE windows, browsers and terminals, it's your head in order.
5) Raycast — the Spotlight you need
The launcher that replaces Spotlight and becomes your command center. Open apps, files, run scripts, manage windows, extensions for GitHub/Linear/Jira/Docker... all from the keyboard.
* My basics:
+ Clipboard History and Snippets for faster pasting.
+ Window Management without touching the mouse.
+ Extensions: GitHub (PRs/issues), Homebrew (search and install), System (kill processes, empty caches).
+ Script Commands to automate day-to-day tasks.
* Golden tip: replace Spotlight and put it in Cmd+Space. It changes your post flow.
* It has a super complete free version and a Pro with extra features (AI, etc.).
If you program, Raycast shaves seconds off each action. That, added together, is a lot.
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My shortcut combo (in case you want to copy the setup)
* Cmd+Space → Raycast
* Alt+Tab → AltTab
* Fn+F1/F2 → brightness also on external monitors (via BetterDisplay)
* Amphetamine on the bar with 30 and 60 min presets
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Watch the video
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Closing
These five are fixed on all my Macs. Some add neatness, others control, and one redefines your flow with the keyboard. If you have another app that changed your life on macOS, throw it in the comments. I'm always trying new things as I build and row projects. See you next time, with another mate next to you.
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> Original article in Spanish: 5 Apps que instalo SIEMPRE en todas mis macs