From e71962c89fb8bd0f24a2ba332a7c87beb81728db Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Christian Colglazier <christian@cacolglazier.com>
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 2026 21:19:38 -0400
Subject: [PATCH] feat(macos): configure system preferences

---
 README.md                          | 24 +++++++++++++
 home/.chezmoiignore                |  1 +
 home/bin/executable_setup-macos.sh | 58 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
 3 files changed, 83 insertions(+)
 create mode 100644 home/bin/executable_setup-macos.sh

diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 613c822..96ab277 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -64,6 +64,30 @@ To install newly added macOS dependencies later:
 brew bundle --file="$(chezmoi source-path ~/.brewfile)"
 ```
 
+### macOS system preferences
+
+After applying the dotfiles, review and run the optional setup script as your
+normal user (not with `sudo`):
+
+```bash
+~/bin/setup-macos.sh --dry-run
+~/bin/setup-macos.sh
+```
+
+It enables dark mode and Dock auto-hide; disables natural
+scrolling and swipe-to-navigate; and removes window-tiling margins (macOS Sequoia
+and later). It does not change animation settings: macOS does not provide a
+supported speed control for desktop-switching animations.
+
+These are curated preferences observed on the existing Mac, not an exhaustive
+comparison against factory defaults.
+App history, Dock contents, monitor/Spaces layouts, and other machine-specific
+state are deliberately excluded. The script is safe to rerun but does not back
+up previous values or run automatically during `chezmoi apply`.
+
+Close System Settings before running it. Log out and back in if changes are not
+visible; the script does not restart apps or your session.
+
 ### Hover window focus on macOS
 
 AutoRaise focuses and brings a window to the front on hover without an intentional delay or
diff --git a/home/.chezmoiignore b/home/.chezmoiignore
index d54b12d..19ef2f4 100644
--- a/home/.chezmoiignore
+++ b/home/.chezmoiignore
@@ -54,4 +54,5 @@ bin/video/cr3todng.sh
 {{ if ne .chezmoi.os "darwin" -}}
 .config/karabiner
 .config/AutoRaise
+bin/setup-macos.sh
 {{ end -}}
diff --git a/home/bin/executable_setup-macos.sh b/home/bin/executable_setup-macos.sh
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..53a45c4
--- /dev/null
+++ b/home/bin/executable_setup-macos.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+#!/bin/bash
+# Apply curated macOS preferences without copying machine-specific state.
+
+set -euo pipefail
+
+function usage {
+  echo "Usage: ${0##*/} [--dry-run]"
+  echo "Apply macOS preferences for the current user. Do not run with sudo."
+}
+
+dry_run=false
+case "${1:-}" in
+  --dry-run) dry_run=true ;;
+  --help|-h) usage; exit 0 ;;
+  "") ;;
+  *) usage >&2; exit 1 ;;
+esac
+if [[ $# -gt 1 ]]; then
+  usage >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+if [[ "$(uname -s)" != "Darwin" ]]; then
+  echo "This script only supports macOS." >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+if [[ "$EUID" -eq 0 ]]; then
+  echo "Run this script as your normal user, not with sudo." >&2
+  exit 1
+fi
+
+function write_preference {
+  if [[ "$dry_run" == true ]]; then
+    printf '%q ' defaults write "$@"
+    printf '\n'
+  elif ! defaults write "$@"; then
+    echo "Could not write preference: $1 $2" >&2
+    exit 1
+  fi
+}
+
+# Existing preferences observed on this Mac. This is not a full defaults export:
+# macOS also stores stock values, histories, and hardware-specific state there.
+
+# Use dark appearance and automatically hide the Dock.
+write_preference NSGlobalDomain AppleInterfaceStyle -string Dark
+write_preference com.apple.dock autohide -bool true
+
+# Use traditional scrolling and disable swipe-based back/forward navigation.
+write_preference NSGlobalDomain com.apple.swipescrolldirection -bool false
+write_preference NSGlobalDomain AppleEnableSwipeNavigateWithScrolls -bool false
+
+# Remove the gaps around tiled windows (macOS Sequoia and later).
+write_preference com.apple.WindowManager EnableTiledWindowMargins -bool false
+
+if [[ "$dry_run" == false ]]; then
+  echo "Preferences saved. Log out and back in if changes are not visible."
+fi