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)
If you want to contribute, you are highly encouraged to do so. Please read the contribution guidelines.
For more terminal shell goodness, please also see this list's sister list Awesome Command Line Apps.
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.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/herrbischoff
- 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
- 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=1
Works up to Yosemite.
# Enable
defaults write com.apple.appstore ShowDebugMenu -bool true
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.appstore ShowDebugMenu -bool false
sudo /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 -off
sudo 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 --nuke
This 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.plist
From 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.app
defaults write com.apple.mail DisableInlineAttachmentViewing -bool yes
The 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 activate
defaults 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 14
defaults 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 true
Other 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 NO
defaults write com.bohemiancoding.sketch3 exportCompactSVG -bool yes
Removes 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 NO
defaults write com.apple.TextEdit RichText -int 0
defaults write com.microsoft.VSCode ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false
This 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 1800
Whether 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 disablelocal
Since 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 true
This 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 false
Beginning 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/backup
Compiling MacVim via Homebrew with all bells and whistles, including overriding system Vim.
brew install macvim --HEAD
Install the modern Vim drop-in alternative via Homebrew.
brew install neovim
xcode-select --install
xcrun simctl delete unavailable
defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{ "tile-data" = { "list-type" = 1; }; "tile-type" = "recents-tile"; }' && \
killall Dock
defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{ "tile-data" = {}; "tile-type"="small-spacer-tile"; }' && \
killall Dock
defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array-add '{"tile-type"="spacer-tile";}' && \
killall Dock
defaults 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
Global 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 Dock
defaults delete com.apple.dock && \
killall Dock
Fully resize your Dock's body. To resize change the 0
value as an integer.
defaults write com.apple.dock tilesize -int 0 && \
killall Dock
Use 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 Dock
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool true && \
killall Dock
The 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 Dock
Show 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 Dock
Supported formats are plain text, rich text (rtf) and Microsoft Word (doc/docx).
textutil -convert html file.ext
Creates an empty 10 gigabyte test file.
mkfile 10g /path/to/file
Leaving this turned on is useless when you're using SSDs.
sudo pmset -a sms 0
The 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/CoreServices
diskutil list
A continuous stream of file system access info.
sudo fs_usage
Available 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/device
tmutil localsnapshot
tmutil deletelocalsnapshots com.apple.TimeMachine.2018-01-26-044042
tmutil listlocalsnapshots /
Snapshots are read-only.
mkdir ~/mnt
/System/Library/Filesystems/apfs.fs/Contents/Resources/mount_apfs -s com.apple.TimeMachine.2018-01-26-044042 / ~/mnt
hdiutil create -volname "Volume Name" -srcfolder /path/to/folder -ov diskimage.dmg
If you'd like to encrypt the disk image:
hdiutil create -encryption -stdinpass -volname "Volume Name" -srcfolder /path/to/folder -ov encrypted.dmg
By 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.dmg
This command applies to .iso, .img and .dmg images.
hdiutil burn /path/to/image_file
defaults 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 true
bless --folder "/path/to/mounted/volume/System/Library/CoreServices" --bootinfo --bootefi
hdiutil attach /path/to/diskimage.dmg
hdiutil detach /dev/disk2s1
Like the Disk Utility "Restore" function.
sudo asr -restore -noverify -source /path/to/diskimage.dmg -target /Volumes/VolumeToRestoreTo
External 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 Finder
Built-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 Finder
CDs, 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 Finder
AFP, 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 Finder
sudo chmod -RN /path/to/folder
chflags hidden /path/to/folder/
defaults write -g AppleShowAllExtensions -bool true
Show Hidden Files
# Show All
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true
# Restore Default File Visibility
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles false
sudo chflags -R nouchg /path/to/file/or/folder
defaults write com.apple.finder _FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool true
chflags nohidden ~/Library
defaults write -g NSNavRecentPlacesLimit -int 10 && \
killall Finder
Makes 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 Finder
Useful 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 true
defaults 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 false
Possible 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 false
Sets default save target to be a local disk, not iCloud.
defaults write -g NSDocumentSaveNewDocumentsToCloud -bool false
defaults write com.apple.finder FXDefaultSearchScope -string "SCcf"
defaults write com.apple.finder NewWindowTarget -string "PfLo" && \
defaults write com.apple.finder NewWindowTargetPath -string "file://${HOME}"
Sets size to 'medium'.
defaults write -g NSTableViewDefaultSizeMode -int 2
Avoids creation of .DS_Store
and AppleDouble files.
defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores -bool true
Avoids creation of .DS_Store
and AppleDouble files.
defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteUSBStores -bool true
If multiple windows are open, it chooses the top-most one.
cd "$(osascript -e 'tell app "Finder" to POSIX path of (insertion location as alias)')"
open https://github.com
open README.md
You can open applications using -a
.
open -a "Google Chrome" https://github.com
open /path/to/folder/
open .
To clear font caches for all users, put sudo
in front of this command.
atsutil databases -removeUser && \
atsutil server -shutdown && \
atsutil server -ping
You need to download and install Xcode 8 beta for this to work. Afterwards they should be available in all applications.
cp -v /Applications/Xcode-beta.app/Contents/SharedFrameworks/DVTKit.framework/Versions/A/Resources/Fonts/SFMono-* ~/Library/Fonts
From Sierra onward, they are included in Terminal.app.
cp -v /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app/Contents/Resources/Fonts/SFMono-* ~/Library/Fonts
Please see this file.
# Status
defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth ControllerPowerState
# Enable (Default)
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth ControllerPowerState -int 1
# Disable
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth ControllerPowerState -int 0 && \
sudo killall -HUP blued
Enable Trim for non-Apple SSDs. This command is available since Yosemite.
forcetrim
networksetup -listallhardwareports
pmset -g batt | egrep "([0-9]+\%).*" -o --colour=auto | cut -f1 -d';'
pmset -g batt | egrep "([0-9]+\%).*" -o --colour=auto | cut -f3 -d';'
system_profiler SPUSBDataType | sed -n -e '/iPad/,/Serial/p' -e '/iPhone/,/Serial/p'
system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType | grep Resolution
sysctl -n machdep.cpu.brand_string
# Status
defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.driver.AppleIRController DeviceEnabled
# Enable (Default)
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.driver.AppleIRController DeviceEnabled -int 1
# Disable
defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.driver.AppleIRController DeviceEnabled -int 0
Prevent sleep for 1 hour:
caffeinate -u -t 3600
sudo pmset -g
sudo pmset displaysleep 15
sudo pmset sleep 30
sudo systemsetup -getcomputersleep
sudo systemsetup -setcomputersleep 60
sudo systemsetup -setcomputersleep Never
sudo systemsetup -setrestartfreeze on
Play iOS charging sound when MagSafe is connected.
# Enable
defaults write com.apple.PowerChime ChimeOnAllHardware -bool true && \
open /System/Library/CoreServices/PowerChime.app
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.PowerChime ChimeOnAllHardware -bool false && \
killall PowerChime
# Disable
defaults write -g NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled -bool false
# Enable (Default)
defaults write -g NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled -bool true
# Show Status
defaults read -g NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled
Enable Tab in modal dialogs.
# Text boxes and lists only (Default)
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleKeyboardUIMode -int 0
# All controls
defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleKeyboardUIMode -int 3
Disable the default "press and hold" behavior.
# Enable Key Repeat
defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false
# Disable Key Repeat
defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool true
Sets a very fast repeat rate, adjust to taste.
defaults write -g KeyRepeat -int 0.02
You need to restart Dock
because Launchpad is tied to it.
# Up to Yosemite
rm ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock/*.db && \
killall Dock
# From El Capitan
defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true && \
killall Dock
afconvert input.mp3 ringtone.m4r -f m4af
Uses "Alex" voice, a plain UTF-8 encoded text file for input and AAC output.
say -v Alex -f file.txt -o "output.m4a"
sudo nvram SystemAudioVolume=" "
osascript -e 'set volume output muted true'
osascript -e 'set volume 4'
You can play all audio formats that are natively supported by QuickTime.
afplay -q 1 filename.mp3
say 'All your base are belong to us!'
defaults write com.apple.QuickTimePlayerX MGPlayMovieOnOpen 1
# Disable
sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist ProgramArguments -array-add "-NoMulticastAdvertisements"
# Enable (Default)
sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist ProgramArguments -array "/usr/sbin/mDNSResponder" "-launchd"
sudo ipconfig set en0 DHCP
ipconfig getpacket en0
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache && \
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
sudo scutil --set ComputerName "newhostname" && \
sudo scutil --set HostName "newhostname" && \
sudo scutil --set LocalHostName "newhostname" && \
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.smb.server NetBIOSName -string "newhostname"
Switch between network locations created in the Network preference pane.
# Status
scselect
# Switch Network Location
scselect LocationNameFromStatus
networksetup -setmanual "Ethernet" 192.168.2.100 255.255.255.0 192.168.2.1
ping -o github.com
traceroute github.com
Prior to macOS Sierra, ssh would present a dialog asking for your passphrase and would offer the option to store it into the keychain. This UI was deprecated some time ago and has been removed.
Instead, a new UseKeychain option was introduced in macOS Sierra allowing users to specify whether they would like for the passphrase to be stored in the keychain. This option was enabled by default on macOS Sierra, which caused all passphrases to be stored in the keychain.
This was not the intended default behavior, so this has been changed in macOS 10.12.2. (Source)
ssh-add -K /path/to/private_key
Then add to ~/.ssh/config
:
Host server.example.com
IdentityFile /path/to/private_key
UseKeychain yes
# Enable remote login
sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ssh.plist
# Disable remote login
sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ssh.plist
This outputs all applications currently using port 80.
sudo lsof -i :80
Works if your ISP doesn't replace DNS requests (which it shouldn't).
dig +short myip.opendns.com @resolver1.opendns.com
Alternative that works on all networks.
curl -s https://api.ipify.org && echo
Files will be served from /private/tftpboot
.
sudo launchctl load -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist && \
sudo launchctl start com.apple.tftpd
networksetup -setairportnetwork en0 WIFI_SSID WIFI_PASSWORD
Create a symbolic link to the airport command for easy access:
sudo ln -s /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport /usr/local/bin/airport
Run a wireless scan:
airport -s
/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport -I | awk '/ SSID/ {print substr($0, index($0, $2))}'
ipconfig getifaddr en0
defaults read /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences | grep LastConnected -A 7
Exchange SSID with the SSID of the access point you wish to query the password from.
security find-generic-password -D "AirPort network password" -a "SSID" -gw
networksetup -setairportpower en0 on
- Fink - The full world of Unix Open Source software for Darwin. A little outdated.
- Homebrew - The missing package manager for OS X. The most popular choice.
- MacPorts - Compile, install and upgrade either command-line, X11 or Aqua based open-source software. Very clean, it's what I use.
cancel -a -
defaults write -g PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint -bool true && \
defaults write -g PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint2 -bool true
defaults write com.apple.print.PrintingPrefs "Quit When Finished" -bool true
# Show Status
sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --getglobalstate
# Enable
sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --setglobalstate on
# Disable (Default)
sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --setglobalstate off
sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --add /path/to/file
spctl --add /path/to/Application.app
spctl --remove /path/to/Application.app
# Status
spctl --status
# Enable (Default)
sudo spctl --master-enable
# Disable
sudo spctl --master-disable
LC_ALL=C tr -dc "[:alnum:]" < /dev/urandom | head -c 20 | pbcopy
# Up to Sierra
open /System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Versions/A/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.app
# From High Sierra
/System/Library/CoreServices/ScreenSaverEngine.app/Contents/MacOS/ScreenSaverEngine
/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu\ Extras/User.menu/Contents/Resources/CGSession -suspend
# Status
defaults read com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay
# Enable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay -int 0
# Disable (Integer = lock delay in seconds)
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay -int 10
# Status
defaults read com.apple.screensaver askForPassword
# Enable
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPassword -int 1
# Disable (Default)
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPassword -int 0
Note: The srm
command appears to have been removed on MacOS after 10.9. There is a note on an Apple support page hinting as to why:
With an SSD drive, Secure Erase and Erasing Free Space are not available in Disk Utility. These options are not needed for an SSD drive because a standard erase makes it difficult to recover data from an SSD.
srm /path/to/file
srm -r /path/to/folder/
srm -rf /path/to/complete/destruction
find . -type f -name '*.DS_Store' -ls -delete
sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.locate.plist
The -i
modifier makes the search case insensitive.
locate -i *.jpg
# Enable AirDrop over Ethernet and on Unsupported Macs
defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser BrowseAllInterfaces -bool true
# Enable (Default)
defaults remove com.apple.NetworkBrowser DisableAirDrop
# Disable
defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser DisableAirDrop -bool YES
osascript /path/to/script.scpt
diff -qr /path/to/folder1 /path/to/folder2
Make sure you have pv
installed and replace /dev/rdisk2
with the appropriate write device or file.
FILE=/path/to/file.iso pv -s $(du -h $FILE | awk '/.*/ {print $1}') $FILE | sudo dd of=/dev/rdisk2 bs=1m
In case your shell session went insane (some script or application turned it into a garbled mess).
stty sane
sudo reboot
sudo poweroff
sw_vers
How long since your last restart.
uptime
cat whatever.txt | pbcopy
pbpaste | textutil -convert txt -stdin -stdout -encoding 30 | pbcopy
pbpaste | expand | pbcopy
pbpaste > whatever.txt
pbpaste | sort | uniq | pbcopy
If FileVault is enabled on the current volume, it restarts the system, bypassing the initial unlock. The command may not work on all systems.
sudo fdesetup authrestart
# Status
sudo fdesetup status
# Enable
sudo fdesetup enable
# Disable (Default)
sudo fdesetup disable
sudo sysdiagnose -f ~/Desktop/
# Mojave
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --nointeraction --downloadassets
# High Sierra
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app
# Sierra
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app
# El Capitan
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app
# Yosemite
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ Yosemite.app
- For confirmation before erasing the drive, remove
–-nointeraction
from the command. - The optional
–-downloadassets
flag is new in Mojave. It downloads assets which may be required during installation, like updates. - The
–-applicationpath
flag is deprecated since Mojave and will throw an error if used.
sudo kextstat -l
sudo kextload -b com.apple.driver.ExampleBundle
sudo kextunload -b com.apple.driver.ExampleBundle
Please see this file.
To be independent of OS X version, this relies on locate
to find lsregister
. If you do not have your locate
database built yet, do it.
sudo $(locate lsregister) -kill -seed -r
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow LoginwindowText "Your text"
sudo purge
# One time
vm_stat
# Table of data, repeat 10 times total, 1 second wait between each poll
vm_stat -c 10 1
# Disable
launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.notificationcenterui.plist && \
killall -9 NotificationCenter
# Enable (Default)
launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.notificationcenterui.plist
qlmanage -p /path/to/file
# Status
sudo systemsetup -getremoteappleevents
# Enable
sudo systemsetup -setremoteappleevents on
# Disable (Default)
sudo systemsetup -setremoteappleevents off
# Enable
dsenableroot
# Disable
dsenableroot -d
# Status
nvram boot-args
# Enable
sudo nvram boot-args="-x"
# Disable
sudo nvram boot-args=""
Takes a screenshot as JPEG after 3 seconds and displays in Preview.
screencapture -T 3 -t jpg -P delayedpic.jpg
Sets location to ~/Desktop
.
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Desktop && \
killall SystemUIServer
Sets format to png
. Other options are bmp
, gif
, jpg
, jpeg
, pdf
, tiff
.
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type -string "png"
defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool true && \
killall SystemUIServer
Date and time remain unchanged.
defaults write com.apple.screencapture name "Example name" && \
killall SystemUIServer
installer -pkg /path/to/installer.pkg -target /
sudo softwareupdate -ia
Set to check daily instead of weekly.
defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ScheduleFrequency -int 1
sudo softwareupdate -l
This should only be done for testing purposes or unmanaged clients. To use network-wide, either correctly set up DNS along with Apple SUS service and bind your clients via OpenDirectory. Alternatively, use Reposado together with correct network DNS settings to make resolution transparent. Margarita looks nice to have as well.
# Use own SUS
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL http://su.example.com:8088/index.sucatalog
# Reset to Apple SUS
sudo defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL
sw_vers -productVersion
# Disable
mdutil -i off -d /path/to/volume
# Enable (Default)
mdutil -i on /path/to/volume
mdutil -E /path/to/volume
mdfind -name 'searchterm'
mdls /path/to/file
Reboot while holding Cmd + R, open the Terminal application and enter:
csrutil disable && reboot
Reboot while holding Cmd + R, open the Terminal application and enter:
csrutil enable && reboot
sudo systemsetup -listtimezones
sudo systemsetup -settimezone Europe/Berlin
# Status
sudo systemsetup getusingnetworktime
# Enable (Default)
sudo systemsetup setusingnetworktime on
# Disable
sudo systemsetup setusingnetworktime off
Rings the terminal bell (if enabled) and puts a badge on it.
tput bel
Install the latest version and set as current user's default shell:
brew install bash && \
echo $(brew --prefix)/bin/bash | sudo tee -a /etc/shells && \
chsh -s $(brew --prefix)/bin/bash
- Homepage - The default shell for OS X and most other Unix-based operating systems.
- Bash-it - Community Bash framework, like Oh My Zsh for Bash.
Install the latest version and set as current user's default shell:
brew install fish && \
echo $(brew --prefix)/bin/fish | sudo tee -a /etc/shells && \
chsh -s $(brew --prefix)/bin/fish
- Homepage - A smart and user-friendly command line shell for OS X, Linux, and the rest of the family.
- The Fishshell Framework - Provides core infrastructure to allow you to install packages which extend or modify the look of your shell.
- Installation & Configuration Tutorial - How to Setup Fish Shell with Fisherman, Powerline Fonts, iTerm2 and Budspencer Theme on OS X.
Install the latest version and set as current user's default shell:
brew install zsh && \
sudo sh -c 'echo $(brew --prefix)/bin/zsh >> /etc/shells' && \
chsh -s $(brew --prefix)/bin/zsh
- Homepage - Zsh is a shell designed for interactive use, although it is also a powerful scripting language.
- Oh My Zsh - An open source, community-driven framework for managing your Zsh configuration.
- Prezto - A speedy Zsh framework. Enriches the command line interface environment with sane defaults, aliases, functions, auto completion, and prompt themes.
- zgen - Another open source framework for managing your zsh configuration. Zgen will load oh-my-zsh compatible plugins and themes and has the advantage of both being faster and automatically cloning any plugins used in your configuration for you.
- Anonymous Pro - A family of four fixed-width fonts designed with coding in mind.
- Codeface - A gallery and repository of monospaced fonts for developers.
- DejaVu Sans Mono - A font family based on the Vera Fonts.
- Hack - Hack is hand groomed and optically balanced to be your go-to code face.
- Inconsolata - A monospace font, designed for code listings and the like.
- Input - A flexible system of fonts designed specifically for code.
- Meslo - Customized version of Apple's Menlo font.
- Operator Mono - A surprisingly usable alternative take on a monospace font (commercial).
- Powerline Fonts - Repo of patched fonts for the Powerline plugin.
- Source Code Pro - A monospaced font family for user interfaces and coding environments.
Version | Codename | Release Date | Most Recent Version |
---|---|---|---|
Rhapsody Developer Release | Grail1Z4 / Titan1U | August 31, 1997 | DR2 (May 14, 1998) |
Mac OS X Server 1.0 | Hera | March 16, 1999 | 1.2v3 (October 27, 2000) |
Mac OS X Developer Preview | n/a | March 16, 1999 | DP4 (April 5, 2000) |
Mac OS X Public Beta | Kodiak | September 13, 2000 | n/a |
Mac OS X 10.0 | Cheetah | March 24, 2001 | 10.0.4 (June 22, 2001) |
Mac OS X 10.1 | Puma | September 25, 2001 | 10.1.5 (June 6, 2002) |
Mac OS X 10.2 | Jaguar | August 24, 2002 | 10.2.8 (October 3, 2003) |
Mac OS X 10.3 | Panther | October 24, 2003 | 10.3.9 (April 15, 2005) |
Mac OS X 10.4 | Tiger | April 29, 2005 | 10.4.11 (November 14, 2007) |
Mac OS X 10.5 | Leopard | October 26, 2007 | 10.5.8 (August 5, 2009) |
Mac OS X 10.6 | Snow Leopard | August 28, 2009 | 10.6.8 v1.1 (July 25, 2011) |
Mac OS X 10.7 | Lion | July 20, 2011 | 10.7.5 (September 19, 2012) |
OS X 10.8 | Mountain Lion | July 25, 2012 | 10.8.5 (12F45) (October 3, 2013) |
OS X 10.9 | Mavericks | October 22, 2013 | 10.9.5 (13F1112) (September 18, 2014) |
OS X 10.10 | Yosemite | October 16, 2014 | 10.10.5 (14F27) (August 13, 2015) |
OS X 10.11 | El Capitan | September 30, 2015 | 10.11.6 (15G31) (July 18, 2016) |
macOS 10.12 | Sierra | September 20, 2016 | 10.12.6 (16G29) (July 19, 2017) |
macOS 10.13 | High Sierra | September 25, 2017 | 10.13.6 (17G65) (July 9, 2018) |
macOS 10.14 | Mojave | September 24, 2018 | 10.14 (18A391) (September 24, 2018) |
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