Setting up Ubuntu 24.04 (whether it’s on a standard x86 laptop or an M1 MacBook Air with Asahi Linux like in my case)? Here’s my go-to list of essential customizations to get everything running just the way I like it.

Customizing Keyboard ShortcutsCopy link to section

Start by tailoring your keyboard shortcuts. Head over to Settings > Keyboard and select “View and Customize Shortcuts.” Here are my key tweaks:

Launchers:Copy link to section

  • Web browser: Super+W
  • Search: Super+Space
  • Move window to workspace 1: Shift+Super+1
  • Move window to workspace 2: Shift+Super+2
  • Move window to workspace 3: Shift+Super+3
  • Move window to workspace 4: Shift+Super+4
  • Switch to workspace 1: Super+1
  • Switch to workspace 2: Super+2
  • Switch to workspace 3: Super+3
  • Switch to workspace 4: Super+4

System:Copy link to section

  • Quick settings menu: Super+X

Windows:Copy link to section

  • Close window: Super+Q
  • Maximize window: Disabled
  • Restore window: Disabled
  • Tile windows: Disabled

Custom Shortcuts:Copy link to section

  • Launch Nautilus (nautilus): Super+F
  • Launch Terminal (gnome-terminal): Super+T
  • Launch Terminal (gnome-terminal): Super+Return

Customizing the DockCopy link to section

I like to fine-tune the dock to improve the space on my display and my workflow efficiency. To hide unmounted drives and adjust icon size, run:

gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock show-mounts-only-mounted true
gsettings set org.gnome.shell.extensions.dash-to-dock dash-max-icon-size 42

If you are dual-booting Ubuntu like in my case, this tweak ensures only mounted drives appear and keeps icons at a comfortable size.

Enable Compose Key for Special CharactersCopy link to section

Need to type special characters more easily? Go to Settings > Keyboard, find Special Character Entry, and enable the Compose Key. I like setting it to Right Alt.

Setting Up Secure Shell (SSH)Copy link to section

Secure remote access is essential. To set up SSH:

  1. Fire up a terminal with Ctrl+Alt+T, then install the openssh-server package: 
    sudo apt update
sudo apt install openssh-server
  2. Check if the SSH service is running: 
    sudo systemctl status ssh
  3. If you’re running a firewall (UFW), make sure SSH is allowed through: 
    sudo ufw allow ssh

Renaming Your Device (Hostname)Copy link to section

Easily change your device’s name. Go to Settings > System > About and adjust the hostname. Don’t forget to press Enter to save your changes.

Installing Essential PackagesCopy link to section

Fresh install? I always start by grabbing some essential tools. Here’s my must-have list:

  • zsh
  • curl
  • wget
  • git
  • vim
  • cmake
  • build-essential
  • htop
  • lm-sensors
  • neofetch

Install them all at once:

sudo apt update && sudo apt install zsh curl wget git vim cmake build-essential htop lm-sensors neofetch

Changing the Default ShellCopy link to section

If you’re like me and prefer zsh over the default bash, you’ll appreciate how Oh My Zsh elevates the terminal experience. Oh My Zsh is a community-driven framework that makes zsh more powerful and enjoyable to use, thanks to its themes, plugins, and customization options. To install Oh My Zsh, simply run the following command:

sh -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/ohmyzsh/ohmyzsh/master/tools/install.sh)"

Center New Windows by DefaultCopy link to section

Annoyed by new windows not opening in the center? Fix it with this command:

gsettings set org.gnome.mutter center-new-windows true

Gnome Terminal Color PaletteCopy link to section

Not a fan of the default terminal color palette? Here’s how to change it:

  1. Open a new terminal, click the hamburger menu in the top-right corner of the menu bar, and select Preferences.

  2. In the sidebar, under Profiles, select Unnamed, then go to the Colors tab.

  3. Scroll down to the Palette section, and in the “Built-in schemes” dropdown, select XTerm, my personal favorite for a cleaner look.