macOS commands

Appearance

Transparency in Menu and Windows

• Reduce Transparency

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defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool true

• Restore Default Transparency

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defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool false

Wallpaper

Set Wallpaper

• Up to Mountain Lion

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osascript -e 'tell application "Finder" to set desktop picture to POSIX file "/path/to/picture.jpg"'

• Since Mavericks

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sqlite3 ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock/desktoppicture.db "update data set value = '/path/to/picture.jpg'" && killall Dock

Applications

App Store

List All Apps Downloaded from App Store

• Via find

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find /Applications -path '*Contents/_MASReceipt/receipt' -maxdepth 4 -print |\sed 's#.app/Contents/_MASReceipt/receipt#.app#g; s#/Applications/##'

• Via Spotlight

mdfind kMDItemAppStoreHasReceipt=1

Show Debug Menu

Works up to Yosemite.

• Enable

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defaults write com.apple.appstore ShowDebugMenu -bool true

• Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.appstore ShowDebugMenu -bool false

Apple Remote Desktop

Kickstart Manual Pages

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sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -help

Activate And Deactivate the ARD Agent and Helper

• Activate And Restart the ARD Agent and Helper

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sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -activate -restart -agent -console

• Deactivate and Stop the Remote Management Service

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sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -deactivate -stop

Enable and Disable Remote Desktop Sharing

• Allow Access for All Users and Give All Users Full Access

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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

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sudo /System/Library/CoreServices/RemoteManagement/ARDAgent.app/Contents/Resources/kickstart -deactivate -configure -access -off

Remove Apple Remote Desktop Settings

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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

Contacts

Debug Mode

• Enable

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defaults write com.apple.addressbook ABShowDebugMenu -bool true

• Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.addressbook ABShowDebugMenu -bool false

Google

Uninstall Google Update

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~/Library/Google/GoogleSoftwareUpdate/GoogleSoftwareUpdate.bundle/Contents/Resources/ksinstall --nuke

iTunes

Keyboard Media Keys

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

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launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.rcd.plist

Respond to Key Presses (Default)

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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.

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sudo chmod 0000 /Applications/iTunes.app

Mail

Show Attachments as Icons

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defaults write com.apple.mail DisableInlineAttachmentViewing -bool yes

Vacuum Mail Index

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.

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(*
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

Safari

Change Default Fonts

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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

Enable Develop Menu and Web Inspector

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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

Get Current Page Data

Other options: get source, get text.

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osascript -e 'tell application "Safari" to get URL of current tab of front window'

Use Backspace/Delete to Go Back a Page

Enable

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defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool YES

Disable

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defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool NO

Sketch

Export Compact SVGs

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defaults write com.bohemiancoding.sketch3 exportCompactSVG -bool yes

Skim

Turn Off Auto Reload Dialog

Removes the dialog and defaults to auto reload.

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defaults write -app Skim SKAutoReloadFileUpdate -boolean true

Terminal

Focus Follows Mouse

Enable

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defaults write com.apple.Terminal FocusFollowsMouse -string YES

Disable

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defaults write com.apple.Terminal FocusFollowsMouse -string NO

TextEdit

Use Plain Text Mode as Default

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defaults write com.apple.TextEdit RichText -int 0

Visual Studio Code

Fix VSCodeVim Key Repeat

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defaults write com.microsoft.VSCode ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false

Backup

Time Machine

Change Backup Interval

This changes the interval to 30 minutes. The integer value is the time in seconds.

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sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.backupd-auto StartInterval -int 1800

Local Backups

Whether Time Machine performs local backups while the Time Machine backup volume is not available.

Status

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine MobileBackups

Enable (Default)

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sudo tmutil enablelocal

Disable

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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.

Prevent Time Machine from Prompting to Use New Hard Drives as Backup Volume

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine DoNotOfferNewDisksForBackup -bool true

Show Time Machine Logs

This little script will output the last 12 hours of Time Machine activity followed by live activity.

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#!/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"

Toggle Backup While on Battery

Status

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sudo defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine RequiresACPower

Enable (Default)

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine RequiresACPower -bool true

Disable

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.TimeMachine RequiresACPower -bool false

Verify Backup

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.

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sudo tmutil verifychecksums /path/to/backup

Developer

Vim

Compile Sane Vim

Compiling MacVim via Homebrew with all bells and whistles, including overriding system Vim.

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brew install macvim --HEAD

Neovim

Install the modern Vim drop-in alternative via Homebrew.

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brew install neovim

Xcode

Install Command Line Tools without Xcode

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xcode-select --install

Remove All Unavailable Simulators

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xcrun simctl delete unavailable

Dock

Add a Stack with Recent Applications

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defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{ "tile-data" = { "list-type" = 1; }; "tile-type" = "recents-tile"; }' && \
killall Dock

Add a Nameless Stack Folder and Small Spacer

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defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{ "tile-data" = {}; "tile-type"="small-spacer-tile"; }' && \
killall Dock

Add a Space

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defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array-add '{"tile-type"="spacer-tile";}' && \
killall Dock

Add a Small Space

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defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array-add '{"tile-type"="small-spacer-tile";}' && \
killall Dock

Auto Rearrange Spaces Based on Most Recent Use

Enable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.dock mru-spaces -bool true && \
killall Dock

Disable

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defaults write com.apple.dock mru-spaces -bool false && \
killall Dock

Autohide

Enable

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defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool true && \
killall Dock

Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool false && \
killall Dock

Icon Bounce

Global setting whether Dock icons should bounce when the respective application demands your attention.

Enable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.dock no-bouncing -bool true && \
killall Dock

Disable

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defaults write com.apple.dock no-bouncing -bool false && \
killall Dock

Lock the Dock Size

Enable

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defaults write com.apple.Dock size-immutable -bool yes && \
killall Dock

Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.Dock size-immutable -bool no && \
killall Dock

Reset Dock

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defaults delete com.apple.dock && \
killall Dock

Resize

Fully resize your Dock's body. To resize change the 0 value as an integer.

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defaults write com.apple.dock tilesize -int 0 && \
killall Dock

Scroll Gestures

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

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defaults write com.apple.dock scroll-to-open -bool true && \
killall Dock

Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.dock scroll-to-open -bool false && \
killall Dock

Set Auto Show/Hide Delay

The float number defines the show/hide delay in ms.

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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

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defaults write com.apple.dock showhidden -bool true && \
killall Dock

Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.dock showhidden -bool false && \
killall Dock

Show Only Active Applications

Enable

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defaults write com.apple.dock static-only -bool true && \
killall Dock

Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.dock static-only -bool false && \
killall Dock

Single App Mode

When clicking an application icon in the Dock, the respective windows will come to the front, but all other application windows will be hidden.

Enable

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defaults write com.apple.dock single-app -bool true && \
killall Dock

Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.dock single-app -bool false && \
killall Dock

Documents

Convert File to HTML

Supported formats are plain text, rich text (rtf) and Microsoft Word (doc/docx).

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textutil -convert html file.ext

Files, Disks and Volumes

Create an Empty File

Creates an empty 10 gigabyte test file.

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mkfile 10g /path/to/file

Disable Sudden Motion Sensor

Leaving this turned on is useless when you're using SSDs.

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sudo pmset -a sms 0

Eject All Mountable Volumes

The only reliable way to do this is by sending an AppleScript command to Finder.

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osascript -e 'tell application "Finder" to eject (every disk whose ejectable is true)'

Repair File Permissions

You don't have to use the Disk Utility GUI for this.

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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)

Set Boot Volume

Up to Yosemite

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bless --mount "/path/to/mounted/volume" --setBoot

From El Capitan

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sudo systemsetup -setstartupdisk /System/Library/CoreServices

Show All Attached Disks and Partitions

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diskutil list

View File System Usage

A continuous stream of file system access info.

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sudo fs_usage

APFS

Available since High Sierra. There is no central utility and usage is inconsistent as most functionality is rolled into tmutil.

Convert Volume from HFS+ to APFS

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/System/Library/Filesystems/apfs.fs/Contents/Resources/hfs_convert /path/to/file/system

Create New APFS Filesystem

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/System/Library/Filesystems/apfs.fs/Contents/Resources/newfs_apfs /path/to/device

Create Snapshot

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tmutil localsnapshot

Delete Snapshot

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tmutil deletelocalsnapshots com.apple.TimeMachine.2018-01-26-044042

List Snapshots

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tmutil listlocalsnapshots /

Mount Snapshot

Snapshots are read-only.

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mkdir ~/mnt
/System/Library/Filesystems/apfs.fs/Contents/Resources/mount_apfs -s com.apple.TimeMachine.2018-01-26-044042 / ~/mnt

Disk Images

Create Disk Image From Folder Contents

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hdiutil create -volname "Volume Name" -srcfolder /path/to/folder -ov diskimage.dmg

If you'd like to encrypt the disk image:

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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:

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echo -n YourPassword | hdiutil create -encryption -stdinpass -volname "Volume Name" -srcfolder /path/to/folder -ov encrypted.dmg

Burn Disk Images to DVD

This command applies to .iso, .img and .dmg images.

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hdiutil burn /path/to/image_file

Disable Disk Image Verification

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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

Make Volume OS X Bootable

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bless --folder "/path/to/mounted/volume/System/Library/CoreServices" --bootinfo --bootefi

Mount Disk Image

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hdiutil attach /path/to/diskimage.dmg

Unmount Disk Image

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hdiutil detach /dev/disk2s1

Write Disk Image to Volume

Like the Disk Utility "Restore" function.

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sudo asr -restore -noverify -source /path/to/diskimage.dmg -target /Volumes/VolumeToRestoreTo

Finder

Desktop

Show External Media

External HDs, thumb drives, etc.

Enable

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defaults write com.apple.finder ShowExternalHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool true && \
killall Finder

Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.finder ShowExternalHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool false && \
killall Finder

Show Internal Media

Built-in HDs or SSDs.

Enable

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defaults write com.apple.finder ShowHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool true && \
killall Finder

Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.finder ShowHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool false && \
killall Finder

Show Removable Media

CDs, DVDs, iPods, etc.

Enable

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defaults write com.apple.finder ShowRemovableMediaOnDesktop -bool true && \
killall Finder

Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.finder ShowRemovableMediaOnDesktop -bool false && \
killall Finder

Show Network Volumes

AFP, SMB, NFS, WebDAV, etc.

Enable

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defaults write com.apple.finder ShowMountedServersOnDesktop -bool true && \
killall Finder

Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.finder ShowMountedServersOnDesktop -bool false && \
killall Finder

Files and Folders

Clear All ACLs

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sudo chmod -RN /path/to/folder

Hide Folder in Finder

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chflags hidden /path/to/folder/

Show All File Extensions

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defaults write -g AppleShowAllExtensions -bool true

Show Hidden Files

Show All

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defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true

Restore Default File Visibility

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defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles false

Remove Protected Flag

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sudo chflags -R nouchg /path/to/file/or/folder

Show Full Path in Finder Title

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defaults write com.apple.finder _FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool true

Unhide User Library Folder

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chflags nohidden ~/Library

Increase Number of Recent Places

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defaults write -g NSNavRecentPlacesLimit -int 10 && \
killall Finder

Layout

Show "Quit Finder" Menu Item

Makes possible to see Finder menu item "Quit Finder" with default shortcut Cmd + Q

Enable

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defaults write com.apple.finder QuitMenuItem -bool true && \
killall Finder

Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.finder QuitMenuItem -bool false && \
killall Finder

Smooth Scrolling

Useful if you’re on an older Mac that messes up the animation.

Disable

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defaults write -g NSScrollAnimationEnabled -bool false

Enable (Default)

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defaults write -g NSScrollAnimationEnabled -bool true

Rubberband Scrolling

Disable

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defaults write -g NSScrollViewRubberbanding -bool false

Enable (Default)

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defaults write -g NSScrollViewRubberbanding -bool true

Expand Save Panel by Default

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defaults write -g NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode -bool true && \
defaults write -g NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode2 -bool true

Desktop Icon Visibility

Hide Icons

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defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool false && \
killall Finder

Show Icons (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool true && \
killall Finder

Path Bar

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# Show
defaults write com.apple.finder ShowPathbar -bool true

Hide (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.finder ShowPathbar -bool false

Scrollbar Visibility

Possible values: WhenScrolling, Automatic and Always.

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defaults write -g AppleShowScrollBars -string "Always"

Status Bar

Show

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defaults write com.apple.finder ShowStatusBar -bool true

Hide (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.finder ShowStatusBar -bool false

Save to Disk by Default

Sets default save target to be a local disk, not iCloud.

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defaults write -g NSDocumentSaveNewDocumentsToCloud -bool false

Set Current Folder as Default Search Scope

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defaults write com.apple.finder FXDefaultSearchScope -string "SCcf"

Set Default Finder Location to Home Folder

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defaults write com.apple.finder NewWindowTarget -string "PfLo" && \
defaults write com.apple.finder NewWindowTargetPath -string "file://${HOME}"

Set Sidebar Icon Size

Sets size to 'medium'.

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defaults write -g NSTableViewDefaultSizeMode -int 2

Metadata Files

Disable Creation of Metadata Files on Network Volumes

Avoids creation of .DS_Store and AppleDouble files.

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defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores -bool true

Disable Creation of Metadata Files on USB Volumes

Avoids creation of .DS_Store and AppleDouble files.

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defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteUSBStores -bool true

Opening Things

Change Working Directory to Finder Path

If multiple windows are open, it chooses the top-most one.

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cd "$(osascript -e 'tell app "Finder" to POSIX path of (insertion location as alias)')"

Open File

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open README.md

Open Applications

You can open applications using -a.

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open -a "Google Chrome" https://github.com

Open Folder

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open /path/to/folder/

Open Current Folder

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open .

Fonts

Clear Font Cache for Current User

To clear font caches for all users, put sudo in front of this command.

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atsutil databases -removeUser && \
atsutil server -shutdown && \
atsutil server -ping

Get SF Mono Fonts

You need to download and install Xcode 8 beta for this to work. Afterwards they should be available in all applications.

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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.

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cp -v /Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app/Contents/Resources/Fonts/SFMono-* ~/Library/Fonts

Starting in Catalina, the Utilities apps (including Terminal.app) are now found in the /System folder.

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cp -v /System/Applications/Utilities/Terminal.app/Contents/Resources/Fonts/SFMono-* ~/Library/Fonts

Functions

Please see this file.

Hardware

Bluetooth

Status

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth ControllerPowerState

Enable (Default)

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth ControllerPowerState -int 1

Disable

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sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.Bluetooth ControllerPowerState -int 0 && \
sudo killall -HUP blued

Harddisks

Force Enable Trim

Enable Trim for non-Apple SSDs. This command is available since Yosemite.

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forcetrim

Hardware Information

List All Hardware Ports

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networksetup -listallhardwareports

Remaining Battery Percentage

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pmset -g batt | egrep "([0-9]+\%).*" -o --colour=auto | cut -f1 -d';'

Remaining Battery Time

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pmset -g batt | egrep "([0-9]+\%).*" -o --colour=auto | cut -f3 -d';'

Show Connected Device's UDID

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system_profiler SPUSBDataType | sed -n -e '/iPad/,/Serial/p' -e '/iPhone/,/Serial/p'

Show Current Screen Resolution

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system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType | grep Resolution

Show CPU Brand String

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sysctl -n machdep.cpu.brand_string

Infrared Receiver

Status

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defaults read /Library/Preferences/com.apple.driver.AppleIRController DeviceEnabled

Enable (Default)

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defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.driver.AppleIRController DeviceEnabled -int 1

Disable

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defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.driver.AppleIRController DeviceEnabled -int 0

Power Management

Prevent System Sleep

Prevent sleep for 1 hour:

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caffeinate -u -t 3600

Show All Power Management Settings

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sudo pmset -g

Put Display to Sleep after 15 Minutes of Inactivity

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sudo pmset displaysleep 15

Put Computer to Sleep after 30 Minutes of Inactivity

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sudo pmset sleep 30

Check System Sleep Idle Time

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sudo systemsetup -getcomputersleep

Set System Sleep Idle Time to 60 Minutes

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sudo systemsetup -setcomputersleep 60

Turn Off System Sleep Completely

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sudo systemsetup -setcomputersleep Never

Automatic Restart on System Freeze

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sudo systemsetup -setrestartfreeze on

Chime When Charging

Play iOS charging sound when MagSafe is connected.

Enable

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defaults write com.apple.PowerChime ChimeOnAllHardware -bool true && \
open /System/Library/CoreServices/PowerChime.app

Disable (Default)

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defaults write com.apple.PowerChime ChimeOnAllHardware -bool false && \
killall PowerChime

Input Devices

Keyboard

Auto-Correct

Disable

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defaults write -g NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled -bool false

Enable (Default)

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defaults write -g NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled -bool true

Show Status

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defaults read -g NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled

Full Keyboard Access

Enable Tab in modal dialogs.

Text boxes and lists only (Default)

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defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleKeyboardUIMode -int 0

All controls

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defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleKeyboardUIMode -int 3

Key Repeat

Disable the default "press and hold" behavior.

Enable Key Repeat

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defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false

Disable Key Repeat

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defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool true

Key Repeat Rate

Sets a very fast repeat rate, adjust to taste.

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defaults write -g KeyRepeat -int 0.02

Launchpad

Reset Launchpad Layout

You need to restart Dock because Launchpad is tied to it.

Up to Yosemite

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rm ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock/*.db && \
killall Dock

From El Capitan

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defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool true && \
killall Dock

Media

Audio

Convert Audio File to iPhone Ringtone

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afconvert input.mp3 ringtone.m4r -f m4af

Create Audiobook From Text

Uses "Alex" voice, a plain UTF-8 encoded text file for input and AAC output.

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say -v Alex -f file.txt -o "output.m4a"

Disable Sound Effects on Boot

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sudo nvram SystemAudioVolume=" "

Mute Audio Output

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osascript -e 'set volume output muted true'

Set Audio Volume

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osascript -e 'set volume 4'

Play Audio File

You can play all audio formats that are natively supported by QuickTime.

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afplay -q 1 filename.mp3

Speak Text with System Default Voice

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say 'All your base are belong to us!'

Startup Chime

Older Macs:

Enable (Default)

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sudo nvram BootAudio=%01

Disable

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sudo nvram BootAudio=%00

From 2016 models onwards:

Enable

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sudo nvram StartupMute=%00

Disable (Default)

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sudo nvram StartupMute=%01

Video

Auto-Play Videos in QuickTime Player

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defaults write com.apple.QuickTimePlayerX MGPlayMovieOnOpen 1

Networking

Bonjour

Bonjour Service

Disable

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sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist ProgramArguments -array-add "-NoMulticastAdvertisements"

Enable (Default)

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sudo defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder.plist ProgramArguments -array "/usr/sbin/mDNSResponder" "-launchd"

DHCP

Renew DHCP Lease

Copy
sudo ipconfig set en0 DHCP

Show DHCP Info

Copy
ipconfig getpacket en0

DNS

Clear DNS Cache

Copy
sudo dscacheutil -flushcache && \
sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

Hostname

Set Computer Name/Host Name

Copy
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"

Network Preferences

Network Locations

Switch between network locations created in the Network preference pane.

Status

Copy
scselect

Switch Network Location

Copy
scselect LocationNameFromStatus

Set Static IP Address

Copy
networksetup -setmanual "Ethernet" 192.168.2.100 255.255.255.0 192.168.2.1

Networking Tools

Ping a Host to See Whether It’s Available

Copy
ping -o github.com

Troubleshoot Routing Problems

Copy
traceroute github.com

SSH

Permanently Add Private Key Passphrase to SSH Agent

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)

Copy
ssh-add -K /path/to/private_key

Then add to ~/.ssh/config:

Copy
Host server.example.com
    IdentityFile /path/to/private_key
    UseKeychain yes

Remote Login

Enable remote login

Copy
sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ssh.plist

Disable remote login

Copy
sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/ssh.plist

TCP/IP

Show Application Using a Certain Port

This outputs all applications currently using port 80.

Copy
sudo lsof -i :80

Show External IP Address

Works if your ISP doesn't replace DNS requests (which it shouldn't).

Copy
dig +short myip.opendns.com @resolver1.opendns.com

Alternative that works on all networks.

Copy
curl -s https://api.ipify.org && echo

Show Network Interface Information

Undocumented flag of the scutil command.

Copy
scutil --nwi

TFTP

Start Native TFTP Daemon

Files will be served from /private/tftpboot.

Copy
sudo launchctl load -F /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/tftp.plist && \
sudo launchctl start com.apple.tftpd

Wi-Fi

Join a Wi-Fi Network

Copy
networksetup -setairportnetwork en0 WIFI_SSID WIFI_PASSWORD

Scan Available Access Points

Create a symbolic link to the airport command for easy access:

Copy
sudo ln -s /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport /usr/local/bin/airport

Run a wireless scan:

Copy
airport -s

Show Current SSID

Copy
/System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport -I | awk '/ SSID/ {print substr($0, index($0, $2))}'

Show Local IP Address

Copy
ipconfig getifaddr en0

Show Wi-Fi Connection History

Copy
defaults read /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences | grep LastConnected -A 7

Show Wi-Fi Network Passwords

Exchange SSID with the SSID of the access point you wish to query the password from.

Copy
security find-generic-password -D "AirPort network password" -a "SSID" -gw

Turn on Wi-Fi Adapter

Copy
networksetup -setairportpower en0 on

Package Managers

• 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.

Homebrew

Full Uninstall

Copy
ruby -e "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/master/uninstall)"

Printing

Clear Print Queue

Copy
cancel -a -

Expand Print Panel by Default

Copy
defaults write -g PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint -bool true && \
defaults write -g PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint2 -bool true

Quit Printer App After Print Jobs Complete

Copy
defaults write com.apple.print.PrintingPrefs "Quit When Finished" -bool true

Security

Application Firewall

Firewall Service

Show Status

Copy
sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --getglobalstate

Enable

Copy
sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --setglobalstate on

Disable (Default)

Copy
sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --setglobalstate off

Add Application to Firewall

Copy
sudo /usr/libexec/ApplicationFirewall/socketfilterfw --add /path/to/file

Gatekeeper

Add Gatekeeper Exception

Copy
spctl --add /path/to/Application.app

Remove Gatekeeper Exception

Copy
spctl --remove /path/to/Application.app

Manage Gatekeeper

Especially helpful with the annoying Catalina system popup blocking execution of non-signed apps.

Status

Copy
spctl --status

Enable (Default)

Copy
sudo spctl --master-enable

Disable

Copy
sudo spctl --master-disable

Passwords

Generate Secure Password and Copy to Clipboard

Copy
LC_ALL=C tr -dc "[:alnum:]" < /dev/urandom | head -c 20 | pbcopy

Physical Access

Launch Screen Saver

Up to Sierra

Copy
open /System/Library/Frameworks/ScreenSaver.framework/Versions/A/Resources/ScreenSaverEngine.app

From High Sierra

Copy
/System/Library/CoreServices/ScreenSaverEngine.app/Contents/MacOS/ScreenSaverEngine

Lock Screen

Copy
/System/Library/CoreServices/Menu\ Extras/User.menu/Contents/Resources/CGSession -suspend

Screensaver Immediate Lock

Status

Copy
defaults read com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay

Enable (Default)

Copy
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay -int 0

Disable (Integer = lock delay in seconds)

Copy
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay -int 10

Screensaver Password

Status

Copy
defaults read com.apple.screensaver askForPassword

Enable

Copy
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPassword -int 1

Disable (Default)

Copy
defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPassword -int 0

Wiping Data

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.

Securely Remove File

Copy
srm /path/to/file

Securely Remove Folder

Copy
srm -r /path/to/folder/

Securely Remove Path (Force)

Copy
srm -rf /path/to/complete/destruction

Search

Find

Recursively Delete .DS_Store Files

Copy
find . -type f -name '*.DS_Store' -ls -delete

Locate

Build Locate Database

Copy
sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.locate.plist

Search via Locate

The -i modifier makes the search case insensitive.

Copy
locate -i *.jpg

System

AirDrop

Enable AirDrop over Ethernet and on Unsupported Macs

Copy
defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser BrowseAllInterfaces -bool true

Enable (Default)

Copy
defaults remove com.apple.NetworkBrowser DisableAirDrop

Disable

Copy
defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser DisableAirDrop -bool YES

AppleScript

Execute AppleScript

Copy
osascript /path/to/script.scpt

Basics

Compare Two Folders

Copy
diff -qr /path/to/folder1 /path/to/folder2

Copy Large File with Progress

Make sure you have pv installed and replace /dev/rdisk2 with the appropriate write device or file.

Copy
FILE=/path/to/file.iso pv -s $(du -h $FILE | awk '/.*/ {print $1}') $FILE | sudo dd of=/dev/rdisk2 bs=1m

Restore Sane Shell

In case your shell session went insane (some script or application turned it into a garbled mess).

Copy
stty sane

Restart

Copy
sudo reboot

Shutdown

Copy
sudo poweroff

Show Build Number of OS

Copy
sw_vers

Uptime

How long since your last restart.

Copy
uptime

Clipboard

Copy data to Clipboard

Copy
cat whatever.txt | pbcopy

Convert Clipboard to Plain Text

Copy
pbpaste | textutil -convert txt -stdin -stdout -encoding 30 | pbcopy

Convert Tabs to Spaces for Clipboard Content

Copy
pbpaste | expand | pbcopy

Copy data from Clipboard

Copy
pbpaste > whatever.txt

Sort and Strip Duplicate Lines from Clipboard Content

Copy
pbpaste | sort | uniq | pbcopy

FileVault

Automatically Unlock FileVault on Restart

If FileVault is enabled on the current volume, it restarts the system, bypassing the initial unlock. The command may not work on all systems.

Copy
sudo fdesetup authrestart

FileVault Service

Status

Copy
sudo fdesetup status

Enable

Copy
sudo fdesetup enable

Disable (Default)

Copy
sudo fdesetup disable

Information/Reports

Generate Advanced System and Performance Report

Copy
sudo sysdiagnose -f ~/Desktop/

Installation

Create Bootable Installer

Catalina

Copy
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Catalina.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --nointeraction --downloadassets

Mojave

Copy
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Mojave.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --nointeraction --downloadassets

High Sierra

Copy
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ High\ Sierra.app

Sierra

Copy
sudo /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ macOS\ Sierra.app

El Capitan

Copy
sudo /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app/Contents/Resources/createinstallmedia --volume /Volumes/USB --applicationpath /Applications/Install\ OS\ X\ El\ Capitan.app

Yosemite

Copy
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.

Download Older OS Versions

Kernel Extensions

Display Status of Loaded Kernel Extensions

Copy
sudo kextstat -l

Load Kernel Extension

Copy
sudo kextload -b com.apple.driver.ExampleBundle

Unload Kernel Extensions

Copy
sudo kextunload -b com.apple.driver.ExampleBundle

LaunchAgents

Please see this file.

LaunchServices

Rebuild LaunchServices Database

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.

Copy
sudo $(locate lsregister) -kill -seed -r

Login Window

Set Login Window Text

Copy
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow LoginwindowText "Your text"

Memory Management

Purge memory cache

Copy
sudo purge

Show Memory Statistics

One time

Copy
vm_stat

Table of data, repeat 10 times total, 1 second wait between each poll

Copy
vm_stat -c 10 1

Notification Center

Notification Center Service

Disable

Copy
launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.notificationcenterui.plist && \
killall -9 NotificationCenter

Enable (Default)

Copy
launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.notificationcenterui.plist

QuickLook

Preview via QuickLook

Copy
qlmanage -p /path/to/file

Remote Apple Events

Status

Copy
sudo systemsetup -getremoteappleevents

Enable

Copy
sudo systemsetup -setremoteappleevents on

Disable (Default)

Copy
sudo systemsetup -setremoteappleevents off

Root User

Enable

Copy
dsenableroot

Disable

Copy
dsenableroot -d

Safe Mode Boot

Status

Copy
nvram boot-args

Enable

Copy
sudo nvram boot-args="-x"

Disable

Copy
sudo nvram boot-args=""

Save Dialogs

Significantly improve the now rather slow animation in save dialogs.

Copy
defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSWindowResizeTime .001

Screenshots

Take Delayed Screenshot

Takes a screenshot as JPEG after 3 seconds and displays in Preview.

Copy
screencapture -T 3 -t jpg -P delayedpic.jpg

Save Screenshots to Given Location

Sets location to ~/Desktop.

Copy
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Desktop && \
killall SystemUIServer

Save Screenshots in Given Format

Sets format to png. Other options are bmp, gif, jpg, jpeg, pdf, tiff.

Copy
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type -string "png"

Disable Shadow in Screenshots

Copy
defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool true && \
killall SystemUIServer

Set Default Screenshot Name

Date and time remain unchanged.

Copy
defaults write com.apple.screencapture name "Example name" && \
killall SystemUIServer

Software Installation

Install PKG

Copy
installer -pkg /path/to/installer.pkg -target /

Sidecar

Use on Incompatible Macs

This may or may not work, depending on the age of the machine.

Enable

Copy
defaults write com.apple.sidecar.display AllowAllDevices -bool true && \
defaults write com.apple.sidecar.display hasShownPref -bool true

Disable (Default)

Copy
defaults delete com.apple.sidecar.display

Software Update

Ignore Specific Software Update

The identifier can be found via softwareupdate --list. In the example below, being on Mojave, will ignore all update prompts to Catalina, since the latter removes 32-bit support.

Copy
sudo /usr/sbin/softwareupdate --ignore "macOS Catalina"

Install All Available Software Updates

Copy
sudo softwareupdate -ia

Set Software Update Check Interval

Set to check daily instead of weekly.

Copy
defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ScheduleFrequency -int 1

Show Available Software Updates

Copy
sudo softwareupdate --list

Set Software Update Server

Use own SUS

Copy
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL http://su.example.com:8088/index.sucatalog

Reset to Apple SUS

Copy
sudo defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CatalogURL

Software Version

Show System Software Version

Copy
sw_vers -productVersion

Spotlight

Spotlight Indexing

Disable

Copy
mdutil -i off -d /path/to/volume

Enable (Default)

Copy
mdutil -i on /path/to/volume

Erase Spotlight Index and Rebuild

Copy
mdutil -E /path/to/volume

Search via Spotlight

Copy
mdfind -name 'searchterm'

Show Spotlight Indexed Metadata

Copy
mdls /path/to/file

System Integrity Protection

Disable System Integrity Protection

Reboot while holding Cmd + R, open the Terminal application and enter:

Copy
csrutil disable && reboot

Enable System Integrity Protection

Reboot while holding Cmd + R, open the Terminal application and enter:

Copy
csrutil enable && reboot

Date and Time

List Available Timezones

Copy
sudo systemsetup -listtimezones

Set Timezone

Copy
sudo systemsetup -settimezone Europe/Berlin

Set Clock Using Network Time

Status

Copy
sudo systemsetup getusingnetworktime

Enable (Default)

Copy
sudo systemsetup setusingnetworktime on

Disable

Copy
sudo systemsetup setusingnetworktime off

Terminal

Ring Terminal Bell

Rings the terminal bell (if enabled) and puts a badge on it.

Copy
tput bel

Alternative Terminals

• Alacritty
• iTerm2 - A better Terminal.app.
• kitty - Modern, GPU-accelerated terminal emulator.

Shells

Bash

Install the latest version and set as current user's default shell:

Copy
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

fish

Install the latest version and set as current user's default shell:

Copy
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

Zsh

Install the latest version and set as current user's default shell:

Copy
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
• zgen

Terminal Fonts

• Anonymous Pro - A family of four fixed-width fonts designed with coding in mind.
• Codeface
• 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
• Operator Mono - A surprisingly usable alternative take on a monospace font (commercial).
• Powerline Fonts
• Source Code Pro

Glossary

Mac OS X, OS X, and macOS Version Information