User Guide: Basic Mac Housekeeping 🧹✨

Keeping your Mac tidy and running smoothly doesn’t have to be complicated. Think of it like cleaning your room—just a few simple habits can make a big difference. Follow these steps to keep your Mac fast, secure, and clutter-free.

1. Keep Your Software Up-to-Date 🔄

Outdated software can slow down your Mac or leave it vulnerable to security issues. Here’s how to stay updated:

macOS Updates

  1. Click the Apple Menu () in the top-left corner of your screen.
  2. Select System Settings.
  3. Go to General > Software Update.
  4. Install any available updates.

Homebrew Updates (Command-Line Tools)

If you use Homebrew to install apps and tools, keep them updated regularly. Open your terminal (e.g., iTerm2 or Terminal) and run:

brew update && brew upgrade
  • brew update: Updates the list of available software.
  • brew upgrade: Updates all installed tools and apps to the latest versions.

App Store Updates

  1. Open the App Store.
  2. Click Updates in the sidebar.
  3. Install any available updates for your apps.

Alternatively, if you use the mas command-line tool (installed via Homebrew), you can update App Store apps directly from the terminal:

mas outdated  # Lists apps with updates available
mas upgrade   # Updates all outdated apps

2. Clean Up Files and Free Up Space 💾

Digital clutter can slow down your Mac. Here’s how to keep things organized:

Homebrew Cleanup

After updating Homebrew, remove old versions of software to free up space:

brew cleanup

Example output:

Removing: /opt/homebrew/Cellar/git/2.40.0... (150 files, 45.2MB)

Organize Your Downloads Folder

The ~/Downloads folder often collects unnecessary files. Here’s what to do:

  1. Open the Downloads folder in Finder.
  2. Delete .dmg files (disk images) after installing apps.
  3. Remove old installers, zip files, or anything you no longer need.
  4. Move important files to proper folders like Documents or project-specific directories.

(Tip: Your Dock includes a stack for quick access to Downloads!)

Empty the Trash

Files you delete aren’t gone until you empty the Trash:

  1. Right-click (or Ctrl-click) the Trash icon in your Dock.
  2. Select Empty Trash.

Find Large Files

If you’re running out of space, find and delete large files:

  1. Open Finder and press Cmd + F to start a search.
  2. Click the Kind dropdown and select Other....
  3. Search for File Size, check the box, and click OK.
  4. Set the search criteria to File Size | is greater than | 1 | GB (or 500 MB).
  5. Select Search: This Mac to find large files.

Be careful not to delete system files! If unsure, leave it alone.

(Optional: Use a disk visualizer like GrandPerspective to see what’s taking up space: brew install --cask grandperspective.)

3. Check Your Mac’s Performance 🩺

If your Mac feels slow, here’s how to troubleshoot:

Use Activity Monitor

  1. Open Activity Monitor (search for it using Cmd + Space).
  2. Check the % CPU and Memory tabs.
  3. Sort by usage to see which apps are using the most resources.
  4. If an app is unresponsive, select it and click the X button to Force Quit. (Save your work first if possible!)

(Advanced users can use the htop command in the terminal for more details: sudo htop.)

Restart Regularly

Restarting clears temporary memory and gives your Mac a fresh start. Aim to restart once a week:

  1. Click the Apple Menu ().
  2. Select Restart....

Manage Login Items

Too many apps starting automatically can slow down your Mac:

  1. Go to System Settings > General > Login Items.
  2. Under Open at Login, remove apps you don’t need by selecting them and clicking the - (minus) button.

4. Back Up Your Mac with Time Machine 🛡️

Backing up your Mac is essential to protect your data. Here’s how to set up Time Machine:

  1. Get an External Drive: Use a USB hard drive or SSD that’s at least 2-3 times the size of your Mac’s storage.
  2. Connect the Drive: Plug it into your Mac.
  3. Enable Time Machine:
    • macOS should ask if you want to use the drive for Time Machine. Click Yes.
    • If it doesn’t, go to System Settings > General > Time Machine, click Add Backup Disk..., and select your drive.
  4. Check Backups: Look for the Time Machine icon in the menu bar (top-right). Click it to see the last backup time or choose Back Up Now.

5. Keep Docker in Check (If You Use Docker) 🐳

Docker can take up a lot of disk space over time. Clean up unused containers, images, and volumes with this command:

docker system prune

(See the Docker guide for more details.)

6. Bonus Tips for a Happy Mac 😊

Keep Your Desktop Clean

A cluttered desktop can slow down your Mac. Move files into folders and keep only what you need visible.

Use Spotlight for Quick Searches

Press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight and quickly find files, apps, or even perform calculations.

Learn Keyboard Shortcuts

Shortcuts save time! Here are a few useful ones:

  • Cmd + Q: Quit an app.
  • Cmd + W: Close a window.
  • Cmd + Tab: Switch between open apps.
  • Cmd + Shift + 4: Take a screenshot of a selected area.

By following these simple steps, you’ll keep your Mac running smoothly and efficiently. A little maintenance goes a long way—happy housekeeping! 🧹✨