The Perfect Mac Setup for Mobile Development in 2026 | Code with Beto

I show my complete Mac setup optimized for mobile development, AI workflows, and content creation in 2026. I cover everything from system specs and essential apps to productivity tweaks and AI tools that speed up coding and video demos.

Whether you have a Mac Studio with M3 Ultra or an older MacBook, the setup principles apply. I share how to install and configure Git, Homebrew, NVM, Warp terminal, Raycast, and developer utilities like Quick Push and Cursor IDE. This setup will save you time and boost your productivity.

What's inside

Choosing Mac Studio specs for AI and video workloads
Installing Xcode and Git for iOS development
Using Magnet for window management shortcuts
Setting up Homebrew and NVM for package and Node version management
Configuring system preferences for keyboard and trackpad speed
Installing Warp terminal for a modern CLI experience
Using Raycast as a powerful Spotlight replacement
Quick Push app for testing push notifications easily
AI tools: Claude Code CLI, ChatGPT desktop, and Cursor IDE

Choosing Mac Studio specs for AI and video workloads

I use a Mac Studio with the M3 Ultra chip, 96 GB of RAM, and 4 TB of storage. These specs let me run AI models locally and handle heavy video workloads without performance worries. This setup is ideal if you want to push your Mac for demanding development and content creation tasks.

Even if you have a MacBook Air or Pro, the tools and workflow I show still apply. The key is balancing power and storage to support AI and mobile development smoothly.

Installing Xcode and Git for iOS development

Xcode is essential for iOS app development and includes Git and Apple developer tools. Installing Xcode from the App Store automatically installs Git, so you don’t need to install Git separately.

After installing Xcode, I recommend creating a simple “Hello World” project and running it on the iOS simulator to verify everything works. Also, set the command line tools in Xcode preferences under Locations to ensure Git and other tools function correctly.

Using Magnet for window management shortcuts

Magnet is a productivity app I’ve used for years to quickly organize windows with keyboard shortcuts. It lets you snap windows to halves, thirds, or full screen using Control + Option plus arrow keys.

For example, Control + Option + Left moves a window to the left half of the screen. Control + Option + T resizes a window to one-third of the screen. This avoids dragging windows manually and speeds up multitasking.

Setting up Homebrew and NVM for package and Node version management

Homebrew is the macOS package manager I use to install and manage developer tools. Installing it is as simple as running the official install script in the terminal.

After Homebrew, I install NVM (Node Version Manager) to easily switch between Node.js versions. I add the necessary load commands to my shell profile (like ) so Homebrew and NVM load automatically in the terminal.

Then I install the latest stable Node.js version (Node 24 at the time) and set it as default. This setup keeps Node versions clean and manageable for React Native and other JavaScript projects.

Configuring system preferences for keyboard and trackpad speed

I tweak macOS system preferences to speed up my workflow. For the keyboard, I set the key repeat rate to very fast and the delay until repeat to very short. This lets me delete and navigate text quickly by holding keys down.

For the trackpad, I increase the tracking speed slightly above medium for faster pointer movement. Other settings remain default. These small changes make typing and navigation more efficient during development.

Installing Warp terminal for a modern CLI experience

Warp is my terminal of choice because it’s fast, modern, and works out of the box on Mac. It offers autocomplete, command suggestions, and an AI assistant that can generate commands from natural language queries.

I install Warp via Homebrew and replace the default Terminal app. Warp’s UI is clean and helps me run commands faster with less typing. For example, typing “node version” shows autocomplete and lets me run the command with a single keypress.

Using Raycast as a powerful Spotlight replacement

Raycast replaces macOS Spotlight with a faster, more extendable launcher. It supports custom scripts, extensions, and developer-friendly features.

After installing Raycast, I disable the default Spotlight shortcut (Command + Space) and assign it to Raycast instead. This lets me open Raycast instantly and launch apps like Warp or run scripts with keyboard shortcuts.

Raycast boosts productivity by centralizing app launching and automation in one tool.

Quick Push app for testing push notifications easily

Quick Push is a lightweight macOS utility I built to quickly send and test push notifications on mobile apps. You paste your device token, customize title, description, priority, and even add custom key-value data.

It’s a simple drag-and-drop install from the GitHub releases page. Once running, Quick Push sits in the menu bar for quick access. This tool saves time testing push notifications without writing code or using complex tools.

AI tools: Claude Code CLI, ChatGPT desktop, and Cursor IDE

I install Claude Code CLI for AI-powered coding assistance. Warp helps fix any install issues automatically. I also use the ChatGPT desktop app for quick AI help with writing, debugging, and emails. I open it with Option + Space for fast access.

For my IDE, I prefer Cursor because it has the best UI and user experience for AI-assisted development with multiple agents. It’s great for React Native and Expo projects. You can also use VS Code, but Cursor shines for AI workflows.

I’m planning to explore running open-source models locally with Olama and may cover that in a future video.

Resources

LessonAnimations and Gestures

Reanimated, gesture-handler, and interactive UI patterns when Ease is not enough.

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