What would install on your brand-new Macbook? As a data professional here are the first apps I would install. Whether you are a data scientist, data analyst, or data engineer or just studying to become one, check these out.

1. Bitwarden extension – Password Manager
Setting up anything on my Mac and logging into websites requires me to remember all the passwords so I make my life easier with this password manager

2. Magnet on the app store
Being able to snap windows is key and was $2 and now I have used it on my last 2 Macbooks. You can snap the windows any way you would like with hotkeys

3. Chrome
While I love safari and use it for when I want to do things by default. Chrome allows me to get set up on my Google profile which has access to all of my quick links

4. Visual Studio Code – IDE of choice
Visual Studio Code is one of the many IDE’s I tried and it was the one I quickly got up and running on and fits the type of data development I do

5. iTerm2 – terminal replacement
I use the terminal so much that this is a must and will change my life

6. Oh my zsh – terminal enhancer
Enhancing the terminal with themes is part of the modern terminal experience

7. Git – Version Control
Before writing any code, I need to pull down my repos. version control has revolutionized development forever!
*I installed Xcode to get the git version but you can use homebrew for simplicity. I like homebrew but I have had my issues with it as well

8. Python – The programming language of choice
Out of habit, I installed this but it may not be needed if I can use a Python docker container

9. Docker – Containers
This is core software and is the new way to implement everything and will benefit any data professional the more they use it. It has changed my life!

10. Slack – Communication
Between communicating with clients as well as learning from various communities

I would love to hear your feedback!