A curated list of shell commands and tools specific to OS X.
“You don’t have to know everything. You simply need to know where to find it when necessary.” (John Brunner)
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When you find something helpful in here, you could buy me a coffee. I spend a lot of time and effort on curating this list. Keeping me properly caffeinated accelerates things. And it would really make my day. Kindness of strangers and all that. If you can't or won't, no hard feelings. It's available completely free for a reason. Still, it would be awesome.
- Appearance
- Applications
- Backup
- Developer
- Dock
- Documents
- Files, Disks and Volumes
- Finder
- Fonts
- Functions
- Hardware
- Input Devices
- Launchpad
- Media
- Networking
- Package Managers
- Printing
- Security
- Search
- System
- AirDrop
- AppleScript
- Basics
- Clipboard
- Date and Time
- FileVault
- Information/Reports
- Install OS
- Kernel Extensions
- LaunchAgents
- LaunchServices
- Login Window
- Memory Management
- Notification Center
- QuickLook
- Remote Apple Events
- Root User
- Safe Mode Boot
- Save Dialogs
- Screenshots
- Software Installation
- Software Update
- Software Version
- Spotlight
- System Integrity Protection
- Terminal
- Glossary
# Reduce Transparency
defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool true
# Restore Default Transparency
defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool false# Up to Mountain Lion
osascript -e 'tell application "Finder" to set desktop picture to POSIX file "/path/to/picture.jpg"'
# Since Mavericks
sqlite3 ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock/desktoppicture.db "update data set value = '/path/to/picture.jpg'" && killall Dock# Via find
find /Applications -path '*Contents/_MASReceipt/receipt' -maxdepth 4 -print |\sed 's#.app/Contents/_MASReceipt/receipt#.app#g; s#/Applications/##'
# Via Spotlight
mdfind kMDItemAppStoreHasReceipt=1Works up to Yosemite.
# Enable
defaults write com.apple.appstore ShowDebugMenu -bool true
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.appstore ShowDebugMenu -bool falsesudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -help# Activate And Restart the ARD Agent and Helper
sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -activate -restart -agent -console
# Deactivate and Stop the Remote Management Service
sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -deactivate -stop# Allow Access for All Users and Give All Users Full Access
sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -configure -allowAccessFor -allUsers -privs -all
# Disable ARD Agent and Remove Access Privileges for All Users
sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -deactivate -configure -access -offsudo rm -rf /var/db/RemoteManagement ; \
sudo defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.RemoteDesktop.plist ; \
defaults delete ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.RemoteDesktop.plist ; \
sudo rm -r /Library/Application\ Support/Apple/Remote\ Desktop/ ; \
rm -r ~/Library/Application\ Support/Remote\ Desktop/ ; \
rm -r ~/Library/Containers/com.apple.RemoteDesktop# Enable
defaults write com.apple.addressbook ABShowDebugMenu -bool true
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.addressbook ABShowDebugMenu -bool false~/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/Resources/ksinstall --nukeThis works up to Yosemite. System Integrity Protection was introduced in El Capitan which prevents system Launch Agents from being unloaded.
# Stop Responding to Key Presses
launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.rcd.plist
# Respond to Key Presses (Default)
launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.rcd.plistFrom El Capitan onwards, you can either disable SIP or resort to a kind of hack, which will make iTunes inaccessible to any user, effectively preventing it from starting itself or its helpers. Be aware that for all intents and purposes this will trash your iTunes installation and may conflict with OS updates down the road.
sudo chmod 0000 /Applications/iTunes.appdefaults write com.apple.mail DisableInlineAttachmentViewing -bool yesThe AppleScript code below will quit Mail, vacuum the SQLite index, then re-open Mail. On a large email database that hasn't been optimized for a while, this can provide significant improvements in responsiveness and speed.
(*
Speed up Mail.app by vacuuming the Envelope Index
Code from: http://web.archive.org/web/20071008123746/http://www.hawkwings.net/2007/03/03/scripts-to-automate-the-mailapp-envelope-speed-trick/
Originally by "pmbuko" with modifications by Romulo
Updated by Brett Terpstra 2012
Updated by Mathias Törnblom 2015 to support V3 in El Capitan and still keep backwards compatibility
Updated by Andrei Miclaus 2017 to support V4 in Sierra
*)
tell application "Mail" to quit
set os_version to do shell script "sw_vers -productVersion"
set mail_version to "V2"
considering numeric strings
if "10.10" <= os_version then set mail_version to "V3"
if "10.12" <= os_version then set mail_version to "V4"
if "10.13" <= os_version then set mail_version to "V5"
if "10.14" <= os_version then set mail_version to "V6"
end considering
set sizeBefore to do shell script "ls -lnah ~/Library/Mail/" & mail_version & "/MailData | grep -E 'Envelope Index$' | awk {'print $5'}"
do shell script "/usr/bin/sqlite3 ~/Library/Mail/" & mail_version & "/MailData/Envelope\\ Index vacuum"
set sizeAfter to do shell script "ls -lnah ~/Library/Mail/" & mail_version & "/MailData | grep -E 'Envelope Index$' | awk {'print $5'}"
display dialog ("Mail index before: " & sizeBefore & return & "Mail index after: " & sizeAfter & return & return & "Enjoy the new speed!")
tell application "Mail" to activatedefaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2StandardFontFamily Georgia
defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2DefaultFontSize 16
defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2FixedFontFamily Menlo
defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2DefaultFixedFontSize 14defaults write com.apple.Safari IncludeInternalDebugMenu -bool true && \
defaults write com.apple.Safari IncludeDevelopMenu -bool true && \
defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitDeveloperExtrasEnabledPreferenceKey -bool true && \
defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2DeveloperExtrasEnabled -bool true && \
defaults write -g WebKitDeveloperExtras -bool trueOther options: get source, get text.
osascript -e 'tell application "Safari" to get URL of current tab of front window'# Enable
defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool YES
# Disable
defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool NOdefaults write com.bohemiancoding.sketch3 exportCompactSVG -bool yesRemoves the dialog and defaults to auto reload.
defaults write -app Skim SKAutoReloadFileUpdate -boolean true# Enable
defaults write com.apple.Terminal FocusFollowsMouse -string YES
# Disable
defaults write com.apple.Terminal FocusFollowsMouse -string NOdefaults write com.apple.TextEdit RichText -int 0defaults write com.microsoft.VSCode ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool falseThis changes the interval to 30 minutes. The integer value is the time in seconds.
sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.backupd-auto StartInterval -int 1800Whether Time Machine performs local backups while the Time Machine backup volume is not available.
# Status
defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine MobileBackups
# Enable (Default)
sudo tmutil enablelocal
# Disable
sudo tmutil disablelocalSince High Sierra, you cannot disable local snapshots. Time Machine now always creates a local APFS snapshot and uses that snapshot as the data source to create a regular backup, rather than using the live disk as the source, as is the case with HFS formatted disks.
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine DoNotOfferNewDisksForBackup -bool trueThis little script will output the last 12 hours of Time Machine activity followed by live activity.
#!/bin/sh
filter='processImagePath contains "backupd" and subsystem beginswith "com.apple.TimeMachine"'
# show the last 12 hours
start="$(date -j -v-12H +'%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S')"
echo ""
echo "[History (from $start)]"
echo ""
log show --style syslog --info --start "$start" --predicate "$filter"
echo ""
echo "[Following]"
echo ""
log stream --style syslog --info --predicate "$filter"# Status
sudo defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine RequiresACPower
# Enable (Default)
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine RequiresACPower -bool true
# Disable
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine RequiresACPower -bool falseBeginning in OS X 10.11, Time Machine records checksums of files copied into snapshots. Checksums are not retroactively computed for files that were copied by earlier releases of OS X.
sudo tmutil verifychecksums /path/to/backupCompiling MacVim via Homebrew with all bells and whistles, including overriding system Vim.
brew install macvim --HEADInstall the modern Vim drop-in alternative via Homebrew.
brew install neovimxcode-select --installxcrun simctl delete unavailabledefaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{ "tile-data" = { "list-type" = 1; }; "tile-type" = "recents-tile"; }' && \
killall Dockdefaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{ "tile-data" = {}; "tile-type"="small-spacer-tile"; }' && \
killall Dockdefaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array-add '{"tile-type"="spacer-tile";}' && \
killall Dockdefaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array-add '{"tile-type"="small-spacer-tile";}' && \
killall Dock# Enable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.dock mru-spaces -bool true && \
killall Dock
# Disable
defaults write com.apple.dock mru-spaces -bool false && \
killall Dock# Enable
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool true && \
killall Dock
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool false && \
killall DockGlobal setting whether Dock icons should bounce when the respective application demands your attention.
# Enable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.dock no-bouncing -bool true && \
killall Dock
# Disable
defaults write com.apple.dock no-bouncing -bool false && \
killall Dock# Enable
defaults write com.apple.Dock size-immutable -bool yes && \
killall Dock
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.Dock size-immutable -bool no && \
killall Dockdefaults delete com.apple.dock && \
killall DockFully resize your Dock's body. To resize change the 0 value as an integer.
defaults write com.apple.dock tilesize -int 0 && \
killall DockUse your touchpad or mouse scroll wheel to interact with Dock items. Allows you to use an upward scrolling gesture to open stacks. Using the same gesture on applications that are running invokes Exposé/Mission Control.
# Enable
defaults write com.apple.dock scroll-to-open -bool true && \
killall Dock
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.dock scroll-to-open -bool false && \
killall DockThe float number defines the show/hide delay in ms.
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -float 0.4 && \
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-delay -float 0 && \
killall DockShow Hidden App Icons
# Enable
defaults write com.apple.dock showhidden -bool true && \
killall Dock
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.dock showhidden -bool false && \
killall Dock# Enable
defaults write com.apple.dock static-only -bool true && \
killall Dock
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.dock static-only -bool false && \
killall DockWhen clicking an application icon in the Dock, the respective windows will come to the front, but all other application windows will be hidden.
# Enable
defaults write com.apple.dock single-app -bool true && \
killall Dock
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.dock single-app -bool false && \
killall DockSupported formats are plain text, rich text (rtf) and Microsoft Word (doc/docx).
textutil -convert html file.extCreates an empty 10 gigabyte test file.
mkfile 10g /path/to/fileLeaving this turned on is useless when you're using SSDs.
sudo pmset -a sms 0The only reliable way to do this is by sending an AppleScript command to Finder.
osascript -e 'tell application "Finder" to eject (every disk whose ejectable is true)'You don't have to use the Disk Utility GUI for this.
sudo diskutil repairPermissions /Beginning with OS X El Capitan, system file permissions are automatically protected. It's no longer necessary to verify or repair permissions with Disk Utility. (Source)
# Up to Yosemite
bless --mount "/path/to/mounted/volume" --setBoot
# From El Capitan
sudo systemsetup -setstartupdisk /System/Library/CoreServicesdiskutil listA continuous stream of file system access info.
sudo fs_usageAvailable since High Sierra. There is no central utility and usage is inconsistent as most functionality is rolled into tmutil.
/System/Library/Filesystems/apfs.fs/Contents/Resources/hfs_convert /path/to/file/system/System/Library/Filesystems/apfs.fs/Contents/Resources/newfs_apfs /path/to/devicetmutil localsnapshottmutil deletelocalsnapshots com.apple.TimeMachine.2018-01-26-044042tmutil listlocalsnapshots /Snapshots are read-only.
mkdir ~/mnt
/System/Library/Filesystems/apfs.fs/Contents/Resources/mount_apfs -s com.apple.TimeMachine.2018-01-26-044042 / ~/mnthdiutil create -volname "Volume Name" -srcfolder /path/to/folder -ov diskimage.dmgIf you'd like to encrypt the disk image:
hdiutil create -encryption -stdinpass -volname "Volume Name" -srcfolder /path/to/folder -ov encrypted.dmgBy default, you'll be prompted for a password. You can automate that by piping in a password:
echo -n YourPassword | hdiutil create -encryption -stdinpass -volname "Volume Name" -srcfolder /path/to/folder -ov encrypted.dmgThis command applies to .iso, .img and .dmg images.
hdiutil burn /path/to/image_filedefaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify -bool true && \
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify-locked -bool true && \
defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages skip-verify-remote -bool truebless --folder "/path/to/mounted/volume/System/Library/CoreServices" --bootinfo --bootefihdiutil attach /path/to/diskimage.dmghdiutil detach /dev/disk2s1Like the Disk Utility "Restore" function.
sudo asr -restore -noverify -source /path/to/diskimage.dmg -target /Volumes/VolumeToRestoreToExternal HDs, thumb drives, etc.
# Enable
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowExternalHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool true && \
killall Finder
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowExternalHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool false && \
killall FinderBuilt-in HDs or SSDs.
# Enable
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool true && \
killall Finder
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool false && \
killall FinderCDs, DVDs, iPods, etc.
# Enable
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowRemovableMediaOnDesktop -bool true && \
killall Finder
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowRemovableMediaOnDesktop -bool false && \
killall FinderAFP, SMB, NFS, WebDAV, etc.
# Enable
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowMountedServersOnDesktop -bool true && \
killall Finder
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowMountedServersOnDesktop -bool false && \
killall Findersudo chmod -RN /path/to/folderchflags hidden /path/to/folder/defaults write -g AppleShowAllExtensions -bool trueShow Hidden Files
# Show All
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true
# Restore Default File Visibility
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles falsesudo chflags -R nouchg /path/to/file/or/folderdefaults write com.apple.finder _FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool truechflags nohidden ~/Librarydefaults write -g NSNavRecentPlacesLimit -int 10 && \
killall FinderMakes possible to see Finder menu item "Quit Finder" with default shortcut Cmd + Q
# Enable
defaults write com.apple.finder QuitMenuItem -bool true && \
killall Finder
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.finder QuitMenuItem -bool false && \
killall FinderUseful if you’re on an older Mac that messes up the animation.
# Disable
defaults write -g NSScrollAnimationEnabled -bool false
# Enable (Default)
defaults write -g NSScrollAnimationEnabled -bool true# Disable
defaults write -g NSScrollViewRubberbanding -bool false
# Enable (Default)
defaults write -g NSScrollViewRubberbanding -bool truedefaults write -g NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode -bool true && \
defaults write -g NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode2 -bool true# Hide Icons
defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool false && \
killall Finder
# Show Icons (Default)
defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool true && \
killall Finder# Show
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowPathbar -bool true
# Hide (Default)
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowPathbar -bool falsePossible values: WhenScrolling, Automatic and Always.
defaults write -g AppleShowScrollBars -string "Always"# Show
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowStatusBar -bool true
# Hide (Default)
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowStatusBar -bool falseSets default save target to be a local disk, not iCloud.
defaults write -g NSDocumentSaveNewDocumentsToCloud -bool falsedefaults write com.apple.finder FXDefaultSearchScope -string "SCcf"defaults write com.apple.finder NewWindowTarget -string "PfLo" && \
defaults write com.apple.finder NewWindowTargetPath -string "file://${HOME}"Sets size to 'medium'.
defaults write -g NSTableViewDefaultSizeMode -int 2Avoids creation of .DS_Store and AppleDouble files.
defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores -bool trueAvoids creation of .DS_Store and AppleDouble files.
defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteUSBStores -bool trueIf multiple windows are open, it chooses the top-most one.
cd "$(osascript -e 'tell app "Finder" to POSIX path of (insertion location as alias)')"open https://github.com