PC Setup

General

Hardware, peripherals, and software configuration

Computer

Windows

macOS

  • TODO: add link to dotfile repo that uses chezmoi
  • Homebrew packages:
    Complete Package Reference

    This lists every application, tool, and package installed by this dotfiles setup.

    Homebrew Taps

    Taps are third-party repositories that extend Homebrew's default package collection.

    TapPurpose
    homebrew/cask-fontsProvides access to Nerd Fonts and other developer fonts with icons and glyphs
    espanso/espansoContains espanso, a cross-platform text expander written in Rust

    Homebrew Formulae (CLI Tools)

    Core Tools
    PackageDescription
    gitDistributed version control system.
    ghGitHub's official CLI. Create PRs, manage issues, browse repos, trigger workflows.
    ripgrepExtremely fast text search tool (rg). 10-100x faster than grep.
    fdModern replacement for find. Simple syntax, respects .gitignore.
    fzfGeneral-purpose fuzzy finder. Powers Ctrl+R for history search and Ctrl+T for file finding.
    batCat clone with syntax highlighting, line numbers, and git changes.
    ezaModern replacement for ls. Colorized output, git status integration, tree view.
    jqCommand-line JSON processor. Parse, filter, map, and transform JSON data.
    yqLike jq but for YAML/XML/TOML.
    treeDisplay directory structures as tree diagrams.
    wgetNetwork downloader. Retrieves files via HTTP/HTTPS/FTP.
    curlTransfer data with URLs. The Swiss Army knife of data transfer.
    httpieUser-friendly HTTP client (http). Intuitive syntax, colorized output.
    Git Enhancements
    PackageDescription
    git-deltaSyntax-highlighting pager for git diffs with side-by-side view.
    lazygitTerminal UI for git. Visual staging, branch management, interactive rebase.
    git-lfsGit Large File Storage. Handles large files efficiently.
    ghqRepository organizer. Clones repos into a structured directory layout.
    Editors
    PackageDescription
    neovimHyperextensible Vim-based text editor with full Lua-based setup.
    Shell Tools
    PackageDescription
    starshipCross-shell prompt. Shows git status, language versions, command duration.
    tmuxTerminal multiplexer. Multiple sessions, detach/reattach, split panes.
    direnvDirectory-specific environment variables. Loads .envrc files automatically.
    zoxideSmarter cd. Tracks directories and jumps with partial matches.
    atuinShell history database with sync across machines and fuzzy search.
    Version Managers
    PackageDescription
    fnmFast Node.js manager. 40x faster than nvm.
    pyenvPython version manager. Switch per-project with .python-version.
    juliaupJulia version manager and multiplexer.
    Container Tools
    PackageDescription
    dockerContainer CLI. Build, run, and manage containers (CLI only, uses Colima).
    docker-composeMulti-container orchestration with YAML.
    colimaLightweight Docker Desktop alternative. ~50% less RAM.
    lazydockerTerminal UI for Docker. Visual container management and logs.
    Security Tools
    PackageDescription
    ageModern file encryption. Used by chezmoi for encrypting sensitive dotfiles.
    gnupgGNU Privacy Guard. Encrypt files, sign commits, manage keys.
    sopsSecrets manager for config files. Encrypts values, not keys.
    macOS Automation
    PackageDescription
    masMac App Store CLI. Install and manage App Store apps from the terminal.
    Development Tools
    PackageDescription
    pre-commitGit hooks framework. Run linters and formatters before commits.
    shellcheckShell script static analyzer.
    shfmtShell script formatter.
    hadolintDockerfile linter.
    Rust Toolchain
    PackageDescription
    rustupRust toolchain installer. Manages versions, components, and targets.
    Go Toolchain
    PackageDescription
    goGo programming language.
    golangci-lintGo linter aggregator. Runs 50+ linters in parallel.
    Miscellaneous CLI Tools
    PackageDescription
    mkcertLocal HTTPS certificates for development.
    htopInteractive process viewer.
    btopResource monitor with CPU/memory/disk/network graphs.
    ncduInteractive disk usage analyzer.
    tldrSimplified man pages with practical examples.
    glowTerminal markdown viewer.

    Homebrew Casks (GUI Applications)

    Terminal Emulators
    ApplicationDescription
    GhosttyGPU-accelerated terminal emulator by Mitchell Hashimoto.
    Code Editors
    ApplicationDescription
    Visual Studio CodeMicrosoft's code editor. Huge extension ecosystem.
    ZedHigh-performance editor by Atom creators. Written in Rust.
    Web Browsers
    ApplicationDescription
    ZenPrivacy-focused Firefox fork. Vertical tabs, clean UI, built-in ad blocking.
    Productivity Apps
    ApplicationDescription
    Rectangle ProProfessional window management with keyboard shortcuts.
    1PasswordPassword manager. Stores passwords, SSH keys, secure notes.
    RaycastSpotlight replacement and launcher. Clipboard history, snippets, scripts.
    BetterTouchToolInput device customizer. Custom gestures, shortcuts, automation.
    YoinkDrag-and-drop shelf for file management workflows.
    Mouse Customization
    ApplicationDescription
    LinearMouseDisable mouse acceleration, adjust scroll speed, per-device settings.
    Automation Apps
    ApplicationDescription
    HammerspoonmacOS automation with Lua scripting.
    Karabiner-ElementsKeyboard customizer. Remap keys, create complex modifications (e.g. Hyper key).
    EspansoText expander. Type abbreviations that expand to full text.
    Fonts (Nerd Fonts)
    FontDescription
    JetBrains Mono NFJetBrains' monospace font optimized for code plus Nerd Font icons.
    Fira Code NFMonospace font with programming ligatures plus Nerd Font icons.
    Development Apps
    ApplicationDescription
    InsomniaAPI client for REST and GraphQL.
    TablePlusModern database GUI for PostgreSQL, MySQL, SQLite, Redis, etc.
    LaTeX Apps
    ApplicationDescription
    MacTeX (no GUI)Full TeX Live distribution for macOS (~4GB).
    Research, Communication & Media
    ApplicationDescription
    ZoteroReference manager for research sources.
    SlackTeam messaging platform.
    VLCUniversal media player. Plays virtually any format.
    MediaMateNow Playing widget and media controls.
    Cloud Storage & Utilities
    ApplicationDescription
    Google DriveCloud storage client. Syncs files to Finder.
    AppCleanerApplication uninstaller. Removes all associated files.
    The UnarchiverArchive extractor for ZIP, RAR, 7z, and more.
    StatsSystem monitor in menu bar.
    Cloud & CLI Tools (Cask Versions)
    ApplicationDescription
    gcloud CLIGoogle Cloud Platform CLI.
    1Password CLI1Password command line tool (op). Used for SSH agent and API keys.
    ngrokExpose localhost to the internet for testing webhooks and demos.

    Mac App Store Apps

    AppDescription
    XcodeApple's IDE. Required for iOS/macOS development and Command Line Tools.
    AdGuard for SafariSafari ad blocker. Blocks ads, trackers, and annoyances.
    YoinkDrag-and-drop shelf (App Store version).

    Global npm Packages

    PackageDescription
    @google/generative-ai-cliGemini CLI. Access Google's Gemini AI from the terminal.
    openaiOpenAI CLI. Interact with GPT-4 and other models.

    Python Tools (via pipx)

    PackageDescription
    poetryPython dependency management and packaging.
    blackPython code formatter.
    ruffExtremely fast Python linter. Written in Rust, 10-100x faster.
    mypyStatic type checker for Python.
    httpieUser-friendly HTTP client (pipx version).
    yt-dlpVideo downloader for YouTube and 1000+ sites.
    llmUniversal CLI for Large Language Models.

Steam

"Do you want to allow this app to make changes to your device?"

Are you tired of seeing the "Allow game launch?" pop-up every time you launch the game?

1. Open Steam and go to your Library.

2. Right-click on Marvel Rivals (or your game) and select Properties.

Steam Properties

3. Copy this command:

cmd /min /C "set __COMPAT_LAYER=RUNASINVOKER && start "" %command%"

4. Paste it into the Launch options box.

Steam Launch Options

5. Now the game will instantly open, bypassing the pop-up.

NVIDIA

  • GPU drivers updated to the latest version — download the NVIDIA App to update drivers

Monitor

Term Description
Resolution Your monitor's resolution is how many pixels there are, which determines how detailed things appear on-screen. Common resolutions are: 1080p, 1440p (aka 2K), or 3840p (aka 4K).
Refresh Rate How many frames are displayed per second. Most screens are 60Hz (aka 60fps). Mid-range monitor refresh rates are 100–240Hz and are sufficient for most games. High-end monitor refresh rates are around 360–540Hz, and are only useful for games where you move very fast and your surroundings change rapidly, such as Marvel Rivals or Overwatch.
HDR Check if your monitor supports HDR, and enable it if it does to make colours appear more vibrant.
Connections Make sure your monitors are connected directly to your GPU's HDMI or DisplayPort sockets. Make sure you know what standard your PC, monitor, and cable's specs are, and that they can support your monitor's resolution and refresh rate, e.g. DisplayPort 2.1 supports 4K @ 240Hz or 2K @ 480Hz.
  • 144Hz+ refresh rate (240Hz+ ideal)
  • G-Sync or FreeSync enabled

Higher refresh rates and proper sync dramatically improve visual clarity. Your visual clarity and motion fluidness depend heavily on your display configuration.

Refresh Rate

Ensure your monitor is actually set to its maximum refresh rate (144Hz, 240Hz, etc.) in Windows Display Settings.

How to set refresh rate in Windows

1. Open Windows Settings and go to System > Display.

Windows Display Settings - System Display

2. Scroll down and click on Advanced display.

Windows Display Settings - Advanced display

3. Under Choose a refresh rate, select the highest available frequency.

Windows Display Settings - Choose a refresh rate

Variable Refresh Rate

Enable G-Sync or FreeSync to eliminate screen tearing without the massive input lag of V-Sync.

Keyboard

  • Rapid Trigger enabled
  • Actuation point at 0.1mm–0.5mm

Wooting

Mouse

Term Meaning Description Where Default Do this
Enhance pointer precision Software acceleration Moving the mouse a fixed distance on your mousepad will move the on-screen cursor a distance that depends on how fast you moved the mouse. Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Mouse — DISABLE to ensure 1:1 mouse movement for muscle memory
Windows pointer speed Software sensitivity How Windows controls your mouse sensitivity. Settings > Bluetooth & Devices > Mouse 6/11 DO NOT CHANGE
macOS tracking speed Software sensitivity How macOS controls your mouse sensitivity. System Settings > Trackpad > Point & Click > Tracking Speed — —
DPI Dots per inch How many pixels the cursor moves on screen for every inch the mouse moves physically. Mouse manufacturer's software 800 Keep at 800, or increase to 1600 or 3200
Game sensitivity In-game aim sensitivity How the game controls your aim speed. Game-specific 4.00 Adjust based on preference
eDPI Effective dots per inch DPI × Game Sensitivity. The cumulative effect of your DPI and in-game sensitivity. Ensure this is the same in every game to make aiming feel the same. Your in-game FoV can affect eDPI. Use mouse-sensitivity.com to convert. — 800 × 4.00 = 3200 Keep consistent across all games
Polling Rate — How often mouse reports position. Increasing to 4kHz or 8kHz is CPU-intensive and drains mouse battery faster. Mouse manufacturer's software 1kHz Keep at 1kHz or increase to 8kHz if game supports it
  • Keep DPI at 800 — this is the default DPI set by every mouse manufacturer
  • Keep polling rate at 1000Hz
  • DO NOT touch Windows 11 mouse sensitivity — keep it at its default (6/11)
  • DISABLE mouse acceleration:
    Windows 11

    1. Settings > Bluetooth & devices > Mouse.

    2. Click Additional mouse settings.

    3. In Pointer Options tab, uncheck Enhance pointer precision.

    Windows 11 Mouse Settings
    macOS

    System Settings > Mouse > Advanced > Toggle off Pointer acceleration.

Tip: Once mouse acceleration is disabled, you can ensure consistent aiming by calculating your eDPI, which is DPI multiplied by in-game sensitivity, e.g. 800 DPI × 4.00 sens = 3200 eDPI.

Mouse Software Settings

Ensure acceleration is disabled in your mouse manufacturer's software as well.

WLMouse

1. Open the WLMouse software.

2. Go to the Sensor or DPI tab.

3. Ensure Angle Snapping is off and no acceleration curve is applied.

Redragon

1. Open Redragon Software.

2. Go to the DPI / Sensitivity section.

3. Ensure Acceleration and Angle Snapping are disabled.

Razer Synapse

1. Open Razer Synapse and select your mouse.

2. Go to Performance tab.

3. Ensure Acceleration is set to 0 or disabled.

Logitech G Hub

1. Open Logitech G Hub and select your mouse.

2. Go to Sensitivity (DPI) settings.

3. Ensure Acceleration is toggled off.

Corsair iCUE

1. Open Corsair iCUE and select your mouse.

2. Go to DPI settings.

3. Ensure Pointer Acceleration / Enhanced Precision is disabled.

SteelSeries GG / Engine

1. Open SteelSeries GG (or SteelSeries Engine) and select your mouse.

2. Go to Sensor settings.

3. Ensure Acceleration is set to off and Angle Snapping is disabled.

Stable DPI and consistent input are more important than raw sensitivity.

  • DPI (Dots Per Inch): This is your mouse sensitivity. The default is usually 800. Only change this if you need higher sensitivity outside games. Set to multiples of 800 (1600, 3200) in mouse software. DO NOT change this in Windows Mouse Settings.
  • Polling Rate: Rate at which mouse reports position. 1000Hz (1ms) is standard/minimum. 4000Hz+ is viable on modern CPUs.

Controller

  • Hall effect joysticks to never experience stick drift
  • Back buttons allow you to keep your thumb on the left and right sticks without having to move your thumb to the face buttons

If you prefer controller, minimizing input lag and fine-tuning stick behavior are the biggest wins.

  • Connection: Use a wired USB connection or the manufacturer's dedicated wireless dongle. Bluetooth adds noticeable input lag.
  • Dead Zone: Lower your stick dead zones in-game to the smallest value that doesn't cause drift. This makes aiming more responsive.
  • Trigger Dead Zones: Set trigger dead zones to 0 for instant ability/fire activation.

Recommended Products

Monitors

Brand Monitor Size Resolution Refresh Rate Panel Type Price
Sony INZONE M10S 27" 1440p 480Hz OLED $1,099

Keyboards

Brand Keyboard Image Layout Switch Type Polling Rate Rapid Trigger Price
Wooting 60HE v2 Wooting 60HE v2 60% Hall effect (Lekker Tikken) 8000Hz Yes (0.1mm precision) —
Wooting 80HE Wooting 80HE 80% Hall effect (Lekker L60 V2) 8000Hz Yes (0.1mm precision) —
Wooting Two HE Wooting Two HE 100% Hall effect (Lekker) 1000Hz Yes (0.1mm precision) —
MonsGeek FUN60 Max Nebula MonsGeek FUN60 Max Nebula 60% Magnetic (HE) 8000Hz Yes (0.01mm) —

Mice

Brand Mouse Image Weight Sensor Polling Rate Price
WLMOUSE Beast Miao WLMOUSE Beast Miao 31g PAW 3950HS 8000Hz $145
WLMOUSE Beast X Max WLMOUSE Beast X Max 42g PAW3395 8000Hz $145
Redragon INVADER M719 Pro Redragon INVADER M719 Pro — PAW3325 1000Hz $22

Controllers

Brand Controller Image Joystick Triggers Buttons Price
8BitDo Pro 3 8BitDo Pro 3 Controller TMR joysticks Hall effect triggers Swappable magnetic ABXY —