Ask HN: New clean macOS install. Must-have apps? Best browser?
A Hacker News user asks the community for must-have apps and the best browser after performing a clean macOS install. The post invites recommendations for essential software and web browsers on a freshly set up Mac.
Background
- This is an "Ask HN" post, meaning a Hacker News user is asking the community for advice — in this case, what apps to install on a fresh macOS setup and which browser to use.
- Hacker News (HN) is a tech-focused social news site run by Y Combinator, widely read by developers, designers, and startup founders. Advice from HN commenters often reflects power-user and privacy-conscious perspectives, rather than mainstream consumer preferences.
- "Clean macOS install" refers to wiping a Mac's drive and reinstalling the operating system from scratch, typically done when setting up a new machine or troubleshooting persistent issues. The user is essentially asking for a curated list of essential software (e.g., window managers, text editors, utilities) and browser recommendations (e.g., Safari, Chrome, Firefox, or niche alternatives like Arc or Brave).
- The question is common on HN, and the responses often reveal what tools are currently popular in the developer community — making this post a snapshot of prevailing preferences among technical macOS users in early 2025.