diff --git a/modules/macos/system.nix b/modules/macos/system.nix
index 578dda9..44de3bf 100644
--- a/modules/macos/system.nix
+++ b/modules/macos/system.nix
@@ -59,6 +59,10 @@ in {
 
         # Autohide menu bar for tiling window manager
         _HIHideMenuBar = tiling;
+
+        # Use the expanded save dialog by default
+        NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode = true;
+        NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode2 = true;
       };
       # minimal dock
       dock = {
@@ -84,19 +88,37 @@ in {
         AppleShowAllExtensions = true;
         ShowPathbar = true;
         FXEnableExtensionChangeWarning = false;
-        # TODO: default to list view and not saving .DS_Store
+        FXPreferredViewStyle = "Nlsv"; # List View
+        ShowExternalHardDrivesOnDesktop = false;
+        ShowHardDrivesOnDesktop = false;
+        ShowRemovableMediaOnDesktop = false;
+        NewWindowTarget = "Home";
       };
       CustomSystemPreferences = {
+        NSGlobalDomain = {
+          NSStatusItemSelectionPadding = 1;
+          NSStatusItemSelectionSpacing = 1;
+        };
         "com.apple.universalaccess" = {
           closeViewTrackpadGestureZoomEnabled = 1;
+          # TODO: enable zoom. this doesn't do enough
+        };
+        "com.apple.desktopservices" = {
+          # Prevents the Finder from reading DS_Store files on network
+          # shares, potentially. See https://support.apple.com/en-us/102064
+          DSDontWriteNetworkStores = 1;
+        };
+        "com.apple.dock" = {
+          workspaces-edge-delay = 0.15;
         };
         "com.apple.symbolichotkeys" = {
           AppleSymbolicHotKeys = {
-            "64" = {
-              enabled = false;
-            };
+            "64".enabled = false;
           };
         };
+        "com.apple.CrashReporter" = {
+          DialogType = "developer"; # display crash reports when apps crash.
+        };
       };
     };
     # Bind caps to escape for better normal mode stuff
diff --git a/users/chloe/configuration.nix b/users/chloe/configuration.nix
index 4bbeb50..70550f6 100644
--- a/users/chloe/configuration.nix
+++ b/users/chloe/configuration.nix
@@ -4,6 +4,9 @@
   environment.systemPackages = with pkgs; [
     neovim
   ];
+  # services for all machines
+  # services.karabiner-elements.enable = true; # BROKEN
+
   # configuration for shared modules.
   # all custom options in 'shared' for clarity.
   shared.darwin = {
@@ -12,12 +15,16 @@
       "magnet"
     ];
   };
+
   # system preferences
   system.defaults = {
     NSGlobalDomain = {
       KeyRepeat = 1;
       InitialKeyRepeat = 10;
     };
+    dock = {
+      show-recents = false;
+    };
     CustomUserPreferences = {
       NSGlobalDomain = {
         # TODO: how to change system accent color