Step 1: Desktop Clean-up  

1. Remove all desktop icons and files  

2. Open Finder > Settings (⌘,)  

3. Disable "Show these items on desktop" options  

4. Clear any remaining files from the desktop by adding them to the original folders or dragging them to the bin (if a shortcut)  

5. Clean up Finder sidebar  

6. Remove unnecessary items (Pictures, Music, etc.)  

7. Keep only essential folders (Downloads, Documents)  

8. Install minimal wallpaper (here's mine: https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/6xjn0arrcsc21mzyvdiai/Memento-mori-background.png?rlkey=muofiyj0i6rwp5atgq3qao942&st=iat0ih3j&dl=0)  

Step 2: Remove Visual Distractions  

1. Remove all non-essential apps from Dock  

2. Right-click each app → Remove from Dock  

3. Enable automatic Dock hiding  

4. Right-click Dock → Turn Hiding On  

5. Configure Menu Bar  

6. System Settings → Control Center  

7. Enable "Automatically hide and show menu bar"  

8. Remove unnecessary menu bar items  

Step 3: Setup Raycast: https://raycast.com/?via=cellular  

1. Download Raycast from official website: https://raycast.com/?via=cellular  

2. Configure initial settings  

3. Enable "Launch at login"  

4. Disable native Spotlight (detailed guide provided)  

5. Set command space as primary shortcut  

6. Disable menu bar icon  

7. Watch Constructing Raycast setup video (optional but recommended)  

Step 4: Disable Notifications  

1. System Settings → Notifications  

2. Methodically disable notifications for each app  

3. Pay special attention to commonly distracting apps  

• Email clients  

• Messaging apps  

• Social media  

• Calendar notifications  

Step 5: Set Up Browser Extensions  

1. Improve YouTube: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/improve-youtube-%F0%9F%8E%A7-for-yo/bnomihfieiccainjcjblhegjgglakjdd  

2. Block homepage feed  

3. Remove recommendations  

4. Click to Remove Element: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/click-to-remove-element/jcgpghgjhhahcefnfpbncdmhhddedhnk  

5. Clean up remaining distracting UI elements  

6. Save configurations for persistence  

Additional protective extensions:  

1. Video Speed Controller: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/video-speed-controller/nffaoalbilbmmfgbnbgppjihopabppdk  

• Configure keyboard shortcuts  

• Set default playback speed  

1. AdBlock: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/adblock-%E2%80%94-block-ads-acros/gighmmpiobklfepjocnamgkkbiglidom  

2. YTBlock: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/ytblock-block-any-content/nedcanggplmbbgmlpcjiafgjcpdimpea  

• Add personal trigger keywords  

1. Power Cache: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/power-cache/famkodflhompmapangljedfdcfeligih  

Step 6: Social Media  

1. Remove feed elements with Click to Remove Element: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/click-to-remove-element/jcgpghgjhhahcefnfpbncdmhhddedhnk  

2. Block notifications  

3. Keep only search and profile access