Whether you just got your first Mac or upgraded to a brand-new machine, it’s always helpful to get started on the right set of tools. Here are the very first apps I usually install as soon as I get a new Mac.

Timery

I track every single second I spend working. I have been doing it for years, and this has been essential to help me better understand exactly how much time each task category demands. This allows me to better plan my days when new projects arise or when something unexpected comes up.

I landed on Toggl years ago, before they had their own iOS and Mac apps. Which is why I downloaded Timery, connected my Toggl account, and never looked back. Timery’s menu bar and widgets let me quickly select from Favorites and Saved Timers, adjust start and stop times, and keep an eye on the elapsed time of current tasks.

When it comes to time reports, your mileage may vary, but Timery offers exactly what I need to check daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly graphs and charts. Timery also offers an iOS app, which works in sync with the Mac app. Despite Toggl’s recent API limits, I haven’t noticed any significant impact on my use of Timery, and I can’t recommend this combination enough.

TextExpander

While macOS has evolved quite considerably in its keyboard shortcuts feature over the years, I still can’t quit TextExpander. Its support for variables alone makes TextExpander’s yearly subscription fee more than worth it for me, since it’s the best way to quickly reply to e-mails, fill out forms, prepare podcast outlines, pull sponsorship reads, etc.

If you’re just getting started with the Mac, check out the native macOS keyboard shortcuts feature. But if you feel like you need a more customizable set of features than what Apple’s native features offer, TextExpander will definitely have your back.

AirBuddy

Developer Gui Rambo’s AirBuddy was born as an AirPods companion for the Mac, but it has evolved to include shortcuts and automations for multiple Bluetooth-enabled devices, including non-Apple hardware, such as my Logitech MX Master mouse.

From low battery alerts to keyboard shortcuts that let me adjust Mac settings, including input selection even and toggling Night Shift, AirBuddy just makes my Mac feel broken when I’m not running it.

Keyboard Maestro

This is actually the first app I install, as soon as I need to configure a new Mac.

Most of my automations live on Keyboard Maestro, including starting a new QuickTime recording session whenever I plug in a specific USB-C microphone, grabbing chapter timestamps and titles from Ulysses and dropping them as multiple Adobe Audition markers, and quickly opening my clipboard history (which is now a native macOS tool, but old habits die hard).

Keyboard Maestro might feel a bit overwhelming at first, but if you feel like you need a hand to get a handle on everything it can do, I can’t recommend David Sparks’ Keyboard Maestro Field Guide enough. Keyboard Maestro also has a vibrant community that is always ready to help.

Ulysses

I have tried most old, new, classic, basic, and advanced writing tools and apps under the sun.

And while Drafts, Bear, Notion, Apple Notes, Obsidian, Evernote, iA Writer, Scrivener, DEVONthink, and many others offer very interesting tools and features, Ulysses is the only one that has ever truly clicked for me.

It gets out of the way exactly as I expect it to, and lets me focus on the writing task at hand. It offers a useful Dashboard, writing suggestions, Markdown support, style customization, and my preferred way to work on it is having it full screen, without a single top, side, or bottom bar in sight.

What is your Mac starter pack? Let us know in the comments.

Accessory deals on Amazon

• AirPods Pro 3 (currently just $199!)
• Beats USB-C to USB-C Woven Short Cable
• Wireless CarPlay adapter
• Logitech MX Master 4
• Apple AirTag 4 Pack

FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More.