whothis

A macOS bootstrap and configuration management tool that automates the setup of a new MacBook from scratch. One script to install all development tools, applications, and personal dotfiles.

Quick Start

Run this single command on a fresh Mac:

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ethnhll/whothis/main/setup.sh)"

Or clone and run manually:

git clone https://github.com/ethnhll/whothis.git ~/whothis
cd ~/whothis
./setup.sh

The setup script will:

1. Install Xcode Command Line Tools (if not present)
2. Clone the repository to ~/whothis
3. Install Homebrew
4. Install uv (Python package manager)
5. Run an ansible playbook (via uvx)
6. Symlink dotfiles using GNU stow

What Gets Installed

Development Tools

• git, vim, stow
• Docker (via Colima)
• LocalStack
• act (GitHub Actions local testing)

Applications

• AI Tooling: Claude, Claude Code
• Browsers: Chromium, Firefox Developer Edition
• IDEs: JetBrains Toolbox
• Productivity: Obsidian, Proton Drive
• Security: KeePassXC, ProtonPass, ProtonVPN, Yubico Authenticator
• Terminal: iTerm2
• Utilities: Rectangle (window tiling)

Mac App Store

• Xcode
• Strongbox (password manager)
• iWork Suite (Keynote, Numbers, Pages)

Project Structure

whothis/
├── ansible/
│   ├── main.yml             # Main Ansible playbook
│   ├── default.config.yml   # Package and app configuration
│   ├── requirements.yml     # Ansible collection dependencies
│   └── inventory            # Local inventory
├── dotfiles/                # Stow-managed configuration files
│   ├── cache/               # dumping ground for various programs' temp files
│   ├── claude/              # Claude Code settings
│   ├── git/                 # Git configuration
│   ├── ssh/                 # SSH configuration
│   ├── vim/                 # Vim configuration
│   └── zsh/                 # zsh configuration 
├── Makefile                 # Build orchestration
├── setup.sh                 # Bootstrap script
└── README.md

Dotfiles

Dotfiles are managed using GNU stow. Each subdirectory in dotfiles/ mirrors the home directory structure and gets symlinked automatically.

To manually stow a specific config:

cd dotfiles
stow zsh   # Symlinks zsh config to ~
stow vim   # Symlinks vim config to ~

Makefile Targets

make version              # Display current version (from git tag)
make homebrew             # Install Homebrew
make uv                   # Install uv package manager
make playbook             # Run the Ansible playbook

Customization

Edit ansible/default.config.yml to customize:

• homebrew_packages - CLI tools to install
• homebrew_casks - GUI applications to install

Requirements

• macOS (tested on macOS Sequoia 15+)
• Internet connection
• Apple ID (for Mac App Store apps)