Unix-like System Setup Notes (macOS & Linux)

This document records configuration methods for macOS and Linux. As both are Unix-like systems, most instructions are platform-agnostic; platform-specific notes are highlighted.

Table of contents

Development Setup

Disable GUI on Ubuntu Desktop

Disable GNOME display manager

1. Set the system to boot into multi-user (command-line) mode:

   sudo systemctl set-default multi-user.target

   This prevents the GUI from starting by default and switches the default boot target to multi-user (TTY).

2. Switch immediately to the multi-user target (optional):

   sudo systemctl isolate multi-user.target

   If you’re currently logged into a graphical session, this will stop it without rebooting. The system will return to a TTY console (screen goes black; press Ctrl+Alt+F2 or F3 to switch to a terminal).

3. Remove GNOME components (optional):

   sudo apt remove --purge ubuntu-desktop gnome-shell gdm3
   sudo apt autoremove

Temporarily stop the GUI

1. Stop the display manager to free GPU memory:

   sudo systemctl stop gdm3

   This immediately terminates GNOME and Xorg/Wayland processes and frees video memory. The GUI will start again on reboot. After stopping gdm3 you may need to press Ctrl+Alt+F2 to access a TTY.

2. Re-enable the graphical interface:

   sudo systemctl set-default graphical.target
   sudo systemctl start gdm3
   
   # Or reboot
   sudo reboot

FRP SSH tunneling (frp)

1. Example frpc.toml configuration:

   [common]
   server_addr = x.x.x.x        # public IP of the frp server
   server_port = 7000           # frp server port
   
   token = "your_strong_secret_token"  # must match frps
   
   [ssh]
   type = tcp
   local_port = 22
   remote_port = 1234  # port exposed on the cloud server

2. Systemd service for automatic start

   Create /etc/systemd/system/frpc.service:

   [Unit]
   Description=frpc daemon
   After=network.target
   
   [Service]
   Type=simple
   ExecStart=/home/xu/frp/frpc -c /home/xu/frp/frpc.toml
   Restart=always
   RestartSec=10
   
   [Install]
   WantedBy=multi-user.target

3. Start and enable on boot:

   sudo systemctl daemon-reload
   sudo systemctl start frpc
   sudo systemctl enable frpc

System Configuration

1. Install and configure Zsh

Install Zsh

Linux:

# Install Zsh
sudo apt update
sudo apt install zsh

# Check Zsh version
zsh --version

# Set Zsh as the default shell
chsh -s $(which zsh)

macOS:

# macOS includes Zsh (Catalina and later default to Zsh)
# Check Zsh version
zsh --version

# Install the latest version if needed
brew install zsh

# Set Zsh as the default shell
chsh -s $(which zsh)

Install Zimfw

2025-02-16: I switched from Oh My Zsh to Zimfw for better performance and modularity.

# Check which shell you're using
echo $SHELL
# Install Zimfw via curl
curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/zimfw/install/master/install.zsh | zsh
echo $ZSH

Zsh plugins and theme

# Add powerlevel10k module
zmodule romkatv/powerlevel10k
zimfw install
zimfw update
zimfw upgrade

# Install zoxide (installed separately, not via Zimfw)
curl -sSfL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ajeetdsouza/zoxide/main/install.sh | sh

Many plugins you would normally configure manually in Oh My Zsh (like compinit, SHARE_HISTORY, CORRECT, etc.) are enabled by default in Zim. Just add the modules and theme you want and run zimfw install.

2. macOS initial setup

System settings

• Allow apps from anywhere: sudo spctl --master-disable

• Install apps on an external drive

  # Create an Applications folder on the external drive
  mkdir /Volumes/Work/Application
  # Create Library/Application Support on the external drive
  mkdir -p /Volumes/Work/Library/Application\ Support
  # Move an app from /Applications to the external drive
  mv /Applications/A.app /Volumes/Work/Application
  # Enter the system Applications folder
  cd /Applications
  # Create a symlink back to the internal disk
  ln -s /Volumes/Work/Application/A.app ./A.app
  # If the app stores files in ~/Library/Application Support, move them to the external drive
  mv ~/Library/Application\ Support/A /Volumes/Work/Library/Application\ Support
  # And create a symlink
  ln -s /Volumes/Work/Library/Application\ Support/A ~/Library/Application\ Support

Recommended macOS utilities

Remove login items

• Remove unnecessary login agents and daemons:

  # Inspect and remove items from these directories
  ~/Library/LaunchAgents
  /Library/LaunchAgents
  /Library/LaunchDaemons

3. Eudic (Eudict) trial note

I cannot assist with instructions that bypass software licensing or trial restrictions. If you need help with legitimate configuration, troubleshooting, or how to purchase and register the official version, I can help with that.