44 Tools an AI Builder Installs on a New Mac, From Terminal to Agent Workflows

Applicable platform: macOS, Apple Silicon preferred Applicable scenarios: frontend development, indie development, AI Agent, MCP, Cloudflare and multimodal workflows Environment constraints: model inference uses online services; local large model runtime environments are not included

This checklist is organized by layers: "Basic Development, AI Agent, Desktop Applications, Scenario Tools." The basic layer suits most developers; other tools are chosen according to actual workflows.

1. Basic Development Tools

Category	Recommended Software	Purpose
System Toolchain	Xcode Command Line Tools	Git, compilers, and system headers
Package Management	Homebrew	Unified management of macOS CLI and desktop applications
Version Control	Git / Git LFS	Source code and large file version management
Git GUI Client	Fork	Commit, branch, history viewing, rebase, and conflict resolution
GitHub	GitHub CLI	Repositories, Issues, PRs, and Actions
Node Version Management	NVM	Manage multiple Node.js versions
Node Runtime	Node.js LTS	Runtime for frontend, Node services, and Agent tools
Node Package Management	pnpm / Corepack	Dependency management and project version constraints
Python Toolchain	uv	Python, virtual environments, dependencies, and CLI management
Search & Data Processing	ripgrep / fd / jq	Text search, file finding, and JSON processing
Terminal Efficiency	fzf / bat / delta	Fuzzy search, file preview, and Git diff reading
API Debugging	HTTPie	HTTP API debugging
Shell Checking	ShellCheck	Static checking for shell scripts

Recommended Combinations

• Source Management: Git + Git LFS + GitHub CLI + Fork
• Node: NVM + Node.js LTS + pnpm
• Python: uv
• Terminal: ripgrep + fd + jq + fzf + bat + delta

Fork handles visual viewing and complex Git operations, while Git and GitHub CLI handle terminal and automation; the two complement each other.

2. AI Coding & Agent

Category	Recommended Software	Purpose
Coding Agent	Claude Code	Code understanding, modification, debugging, and automation
Coding Agent	OpenAI Codex CLI	Coding, code review, and terminal Agent workflows
Agent Terminal	cmux	Multi-Agent sessions, split screen, notifications, and browser collaboration
MCP Debugging	MCP Inspector	MCP Server connection and protocol debugging
Client Configuration	CC Switch	Configuration switching for Claude Code, Codex, and other clients
Feishu Automation	Lark CLI	Messages, documents, Base, calendar, and Agent Skills
Cloudflare	Wrangler	Workers, Pages, R2, D1, and KV

Recommended Combinations

• Coding: Claude Code + Codex CLI
• Multi-session Management: cmux
• MCP Development: MCP Inspector
• Cloudflare Projects: Wrangler + GitHub CLI
• Feishu Workflows: Lark CLI

Claude Code and Codex CLI can coexist, used for different models and tasks respectively. CC Switch only handles the clients it explicitly supports; keys should still be managed separately.

3. IDE & Desktop Applications

Category	Recommended Software	Purpose
AI IDE	Cursor	AI-assisted development and codebase understanding
General IDE	Visual Studio Code	General development and plugin ecosystem
Git GUI	Fork	Visual source code management
AI Desktop	Claude Desktop	Claude desktop workflow and MCP client
Browser	Google Chrome	Web development, Cloudflare, and Agent web debugging
Knowledge Base	Obsidian	Local Markdown knowledge management
Team Collaboration	Feishu / Lark	Messaging, documents, meetings, and collaboration

Selection Advice

• Cursor is suitable as the primary AI development tool; VS Code can serve as a compatible supplement.
• If you already have a mature VS Code workflow, there is no need to migrate immediately just for AI features.
• Choose Feishu or Lark based on your tenant; generally, you don't need to install both.

4. Browser Automation & Frontend Testing

Software	Purpose
Playwright	E2E testing, browser automation, and page verification
Chrome DevTools	Page, network, performance, and storage debugging
MCP Inspector	Service debugging for Web/MCP Agents

Playwright is better managed per project rather than installed as a default global tool on every Mac.

5. Containers & Deployment

Software	Purpose	Suitable Scenario
Docker Desktop	Full container desktop environment	When you want out-of-the-box usage and a GUI
Colima + Docker CLI	Lightweight, CLI-first local container environment	When you prefer open-source, Homebrew, and no persistent GUI
Docker Compose	Multi-container application orchestration	Projects including databases, caches, or multiple services
Docker Buildx	Multi-platform and advanced image building	Publishing container images or cross-architecture builds
Wrangler	Cloudflare development and deployment	Workers, Pages, R2, D1, KV

Projects not using Docker or Compose do not need a container environment prepared in advance. Generally, choose either Docker Desktop or Colima.

6. Multimodal & Content Processing

Software	Purpose
ffmpeg	Audio/video transcoding, frame extraction, cropping, and audio processing
ImageMagick	Image batch processing, format conversion, and resizing
1Capture	Screenshots, OCR, screen recording, and GIFs
Doubao Input Method	Voice input for prompts and long text

Add this layer only when working on video, images, courses, or social media content.

7. System Maintenance & Remote Access

Software	Purpose
Mole	Disk analysis, cache and build artifact cleanup
UU Remote	Mac Mini or remote workstation control

Mole involves file deletion; preview the results before applying. Remote control software should only be granted necessary accessibility, screen recording, and input permissions.

8. Final Recommended Combinations

General AI Builder

• IDE: Cursor
• Git: Git + GitHub CLI + Fork
• Coding Agent: Claude Code + Codex CLI
• Agent Terminal: cmux
• Node: NVM + Node.js LTS + pnpm
• Python: uv
• Browser: Chrome
• Knowledge Management: Obsidian

Cloudflare / Indie Development

Add to the general combination:

• Wrangler
• Playwright
• Docker Desktop or Colima + Docker CLI (when the project needs containers)

Multimodal Content Workflow

Add to the general combination:

• ffmpeg
• ImageMagick
• 1Capture
• Doubao Input Method