> 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)_ [](https://github.com/sindresorhus/awesome) If you want to contribute, you are highly encouraged to do so. Please read the [contribution guidelines](contributing.md). ## Table of Contents - [Appearance](#appearance) - [Transparency](#transparency) - [Wallpaper](#wallpaper) - [Applications](#applications) - [App Store](#app-store) - [Apple Remote Desktop](#apple-remote-desktop) - [Safari](#safari) - [Sketch](#sketch) - [TextEdit](#textedit) - [Backup](#backup) - [Time Machine](#time-machine) - [Developer](#developer) - [App Icons](#app-icons) - [Vim](#vim) - [Xcode](#xcode) - [Disks and Volumes](#disks-and-volumes) - [Disk Images](#disk-images) - [Documents](#documents) - [Finder](#finder) - [Files and Folders](#files-and-folders) - [Layout](#layout) - [Metadata Files](#metadata-files) - [Opening Things](#opening-things) - [Fonts](#fonts) - [Hardware](#hardware) - [Hardware Information](#hardware-information) - [Power Management](#power-management) - [Input Devices](#input-devices) - [Keyboard](#keyboard) - [Media](#media) - [Audio](#audio) - [Video](#video) - [Networking](#networking) - [Bonjour](#bonjour) - [DHCP](#dhcp) - [DNS](#dns) - [Hostname](#hostname) - [Networking Tools](#networking-tools) - [TCP/IP](#tcpip) - [Wi-Fi](#wi-fi) - [Package Managers](#package-managers) - [Printing](#printing) - [Security](#security) - [Gatekeeper](#gatekeeper) - [Passwords](#passwords) - [Physical Access](#physical-access) - [Wiping Data](#wiping-data) - [Search](#search) - [Find](#find) - [Locate](#locate) - [System](#system) - [AirDrop](#airdrop) - [AppleScript](#applescript) - [Basics](#basics) - [Clipboard](#clipboard) - [FileVault](#filevault) - [Information/Reports](#informationreports) - [Kernel Extensions](#kernel-extensions) - [LaunchAgents](#launchagents) - [LaunchServices](#launchservices) - [Memory Management](#memory-management) - [Notification Center](#notification-center) - [QuickLook](#quicklook) - [Root User](#root-user) - [Safe Mode Boot](#safe-mode-boot) - [Software Installation](#software-installation) - [Software Update](#software-update) - [Spotlight](#spotlight) - [Terminal](#terminal) - [Alternative Terminals](#alternative-terminals) - [Terminal Fonts](#terminal-fonts) ## Appearance ### Transparency #### Disable Transparency in Menu and Windows ```bash defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool true ``` #### Enable Transparency in Menu and Windows ```bash defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool false ``` ### Wallpaper #### Set Wallpaper ```bash osascript -e 'tell application "Finder" to set desktop picture to POSIX file "/path/to/picture.jpg"' ``` ## Applications ### App Store #### List All Apps Downloaded from App Store ```bash find /Applications -path '*Contents/_MASReceipt/receipt' -maxdepth 4 -print |\sed 's#.app/Contents/_MASReceipt/receipt#.app#g; s#/Applications/##' ``` ### Apple Remote Desktop #### Remove Apple Remote Desktop Settings ```bash sudo rm -rf /var/db/RemoteManagement sudo rm /Library/Preferences/com.apple.RemoteDesktop.plist rm ~/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 ``` ### Safari #### Enable Develop Menu and Web Inspector ```bash 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 NSGlobalDomain WebKitDeveloperExtras -bool true ``` ### Sketch #### Export Compact SVGs ```bash defaults write com.bohemiancoding.sketch3 exportCompactSVG -bool yes ``` ### TextEdit #### Use Plain Text Mode as Default ```bash defaults write com.apple.TextEdit RichText -int 0 ``` ## Backup ### Time Machine #### Change Backup Interval This changes the interval to 30 minutes. The integer value is the time in seconds. ```bash sudo defaults write /System/Library/Launch Daemons/com.apple.backupd-auto StartInterval -int 1800 ``` #### Disable Local Time Machine Backups ```bash hash tmutil &> /dev/null && sudo tmutil disablelocal ``` #### Prevent Time Machine From Prompting to Use New Hard Drives as Backup Volume ```bash defaults write com.apple.TimeMachine DoNotOfferNewDisksForBackup -bool true ``` ## Developer ### App Icons #### Create App Icon Function to quickly create an application icon from 1024px master file. ```bash function mkicns() { if [[ -z "$@" ]]; then echo "Input file missing" else filename=${1%.*} mkdir $filename.iconset sips -z 16 16 $1 --out $filename.iconset/icon_16x16.png sips -z 32 32 $1 --out $filename.iconset/icon_16x16@2x.png sips -z 32 32 $1 --out $filename.iconset/icon_32x32.png sips -z 64 64 $1 --out $filename.iconset/icon_32x32@2x.png sips -z 128 128 $1 --out $filename.iconset/icon_128x128.png sips -z 256 256 $1 --out $filename.iconset/icon_128x128@2x.png sips -z 256 256 $1 --out $filename.iconset/icon_256x256.png sips -z 512 512 $1 --out $filename.iconset/icon_256x256@2x.png sips -z 512 512 $1 --out $filename.iconset/icon_512x512.png cp $1 $filename.iconset/icon_512x512@2x.png iconutil -c icns $filename.iconset rm -r $filename.iconset fi } ``` ### Vim #### Compile Sane Vim Compiling MacVim via Homebrew with all bells and whistles, including overriding system Vim. ```bash brew install macvim --HEAD --with-cscope --with-lua --with-override-system-vim --with-luajit --with-python ``` ### Xcode #### Install Command Line Tools Without Xcode ```bash xcode-select --install ``` #### Remove All Unavailable Simulators ```bash xcrun simctl delete unavailable ``` ## Disks and Volumes #### Disable Sudden Motion Sensor Leaving this turned on is useless when you're using SSDs. ```bash sudo pmset -a sms 0 ``` #### Eject All Mountable Volumes The only reliable way to do this is by sending an AppleScript command to Finder. ```bash 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. ```bash 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](https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT201560)) #### Set Boot Volume ```bash bless --mount "/path/to/mounted/volume" --setBoot ``` #### Show All Attached Disks and Partitions ```bash diskutil list ``` ### Disk Images #### Disable Disk Image Verification ```bash 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 ```bash bless --folder "/path/to/mounted/volume/System/Library/CoreServices" --bootinfo --bootefi ``` #### Mount Disk Image ```bash hdiutil attach /path/to/diskimage.dmg ``` #### Unmount Disk Image ```bash hdiutil detach /dev/disk2s1 ``` ## Documents #### Convert File to HTML Supported formats are plain text, rich text (rtf) and Microsoft Word (doc/docx). ```bash textutil -convert html file.ext ``` ## Finder ### Files and Folders #### Hide Folder in Finder ```bash chflags hidden /path/to/folder/ ``` #### Show All File Extensions ```bash defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleShowAllExtensions -bool true ``` #### Show All Hidden Files ```bash defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true ``` #### Restore Default File Visibility ```bash defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles false ``` #### Show Full Path in Finder Title ```bash defaults write com.apple.finder _FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool true ``` #### Unhide User Library folder ```bash chflags nohidden ~/Library ``` ### Layout #### Disable Smooth Scrolling Useful if you’re on an older Mac that messes up the animation. ```bash defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSScrollAnimationEnabled -bool false ``` #### Enable Smooth Scrolling Revert back to standard behavior. ```bash defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSScrollAnimationEnabled -bool true ``` #### Expand Save Panel by Default ```bash defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode -bool true defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode2 -bool true ``` #### Expand Print Panel by Default ```bash defaults write NSGlobalDomain PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint -bool true defaults write NSGlobalDomain PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint2 -bool true ``` #### Hide All Desktop Icons ```bash defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool false && killall Finder ``` #### Show All Desktop Icons ```bash defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool true && killall Finder ``` #### Show Path Bar ```bash defaults write com.apple.finder ShowPathbar -bool true ``` #### Scrollbar Visibility Possible values: `WhenScrolling`, `Automatic` and `Always`. ```bash defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleShowScrollBars -string "Always" ``` #### Show Status Bar ```bash defaults write com.apple.finder ShowStatusBar -bool true ``` #### Save to Disk by Default Sets default save target to be a local disk, not iCloud. ```bash defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSDocumentSaveNewDocumentsToCloud -bool false ``` #### Set Current Directory as Default Search Scope ```bash defaults write com.apple.finder FXDefaultSearchScope -string "SCcf" ``` #### Set Default Finder Location to Home Folder ```bash 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'. ```bash defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSTableViewDefaultSizeMode -int 2 ``` ### Metadata Files #### Disable Creation of Metadata Files on Network Volumes Disables creation of .DS_Store and ._filename files. ```bash defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores -bool true ``` #### Disable Creation of Metadata Files on USB Volumes Disables creation of .DS_Store and ._filename files. ```bash defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteUSBStores -bool true ``` ### Opening Things #### Open URL ```bash open http://www.github.com ``` #### Open File ```bash open README.md ``` #### Open Applications You can open applications using `-a`. ```bash open -a "Google Chrome" http://www.github.com ``` #### Open Directory ```bash open /path/to/directory ``` #### Open Current Directory ```bash open . ``` ## Fonts #### Clear Font Cache for Current User To clear font caches for all users, put `sudo` in front of this command. ```bash atsutil databases -removeUser && atsutil server -shutdown && atsutil server -ping ``` ## Hardware ### Hardware Information #### List All Hardware Ports ```bash networksetup -listallhardwareports ``` #### Show Current Screen Resolution ```bash system_profiler SPDisplaysDataType | grep Resolution ``` #### Show CPU Brand String ```bash sysctl -n machdep.cpu.brand_string ``` ### Power Management #### Prevent System Sleep Prevent sleep for 1 hour: ```bash caffeinate -u -t 3600 ``` #### Show All Power Management Settings ```bash sudo pmset -g ``` #### Put Display to Sleep After 15 Minutes of Inactivity ```bash sudo pmset displaysleep 15 ``` #### Put Computer to Sleep After 30 Minutes of Inactivity ```bash sudo pmset sleep 30 ``` #### Check System Sleep Idle Time ```bash sudo systemsetup -getcomputersleep ``` #### Set System Sleep Idle Time to 60 Minutes ```bash sudo systemsetup -setcomputersleep 60 ``` #### Turn Off System Sleep Completely ```bash sudo systemsetup -setcomputersleep Never ``` ## Input Devices ### Keyboard #### Disable Auto-Correct ```bash defaults write -g NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled -bool false ``` #### Enable Auto-Correct ```bash defaults write -g NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled -bool true ``` #### Show Auto-Correct Setting ```bash defaults read -g NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled ``` #### Enable Key Repeat Disable the default "press and hold" behavior. ```bash defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false ``` #### Set Key Repeat Rate Sets a very fast repeat rate, adjust to taste. ```bash defaults write NSGlobalDomain KeyRepeat -int 0.02 ``` ## Media ### Audio #### Convert Audio File to iPhone Ringtone ```bash afconvert input.mp3 ringtone.m4r -f m4af ``` #### Disable Sound Effects on Boot ```bash sudo nvram SystemAudioVolume=" " ``` #### Mute Audio Output ```bash osascript -e 'set volume output muted true' ``` #### Set Audio Volume ```bash osascript -e 'set volume 4' ``` #### Play Audio File You can play all audio formats that are natively supported by QuickTime. ```bash afplay -q 1 filename.mp3 ``` #### Speak Text with System Default Voice ```bash say 'All your base are belong to us!' ``` ### Video #### Auto-Play Videos in QuickTime Player ```bash defaults write com.apple.QuickTimePlayerX MGPlayMovieOnOpen 1 ``` ## Networking ### Bonjour #### Disable Bonjour ```bash defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder ProgramArguments -array "/usr/sbin/mDNSResponder" "-launchd" ``` #### Enable Bonjour ```bash defaults write /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.mDNSResponder ProgramArguments -array-add "-NoMulticastAdvertisements" ``` ### DHCP #### Renew DHCP Lease ```bash sudo ipconfig set en0 DHCP ``` #### Show DHCP Info ```bash ipconfig getpacket en0 ``` ### DNS #### Clear DNS Cache ```bash sudo dscacheutil -flushcache && sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder ``` ### Hostname #### Set Computer Name/Host Name You need to run all of the commands since the hostname needs to be changed in three places. ```bash 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" ``` ### Networking Tools #### Ping a Host to See Whether It’s Available ```bash ping -o github.com ``` #### Troubleshoot Routing Problems ```bash traceroute github.com ``` ### TCP/IP #### Show Application Using a Certain Port This outputs all applications currently using port 80. ```bash sudo lsof -i :80 ``` ### Wi-Fi #### Scan Available Access Points Create a symbolic link to the airport command for easy access: ```bash sudo ln -s /System/Library/PrivateFrameworks/Apple80211.framework/Versions/Current/Resources/airport /usr/local/bin/airport ``` Run a wireless scan: ```bash airport -s ``` #### Show Wi-Fi Connection History ```bash defaults read /Library/Preferences/SystemConfiguration/com.apple.airport.preferences | grep LastConnected -A 7 ``` #### Show Wi-Fi Network Passwords ```bash security find-generic-password -ga "ROUTERNAME" | grep "password:" ``` ## Package Managers - [Fink](http://www.finkproject.org) - The full world of Unix Open Source software for Darwin. - [Homebrew](http://brew.sh) - The missing package manager for OS X. - [MacPorts](https://www.macports.org) - Compile, install and upgrade either command-line, X11 or Aqua based open-source software. ## Printing #### Clear Print Queue ```bash cancel -a - ``` #### Quit Printer app After Print Jobs Complete ```bash defaults write com.apple.print.PrintingPrefs "Quit When Finished" -bool true ``` ## Security ### Gatekeeper #### Add Gatekeeper Exception ```bash spctl --add /path/to/Application.app ``` #### Remove Gatekeeper Exception ```bash spctl --remove /path/to/Application.app ``` ### Passwords #### Generate Secure Password and Copy to Clipboard First, install `pwgen` via Homebrew, etc. ```bash pwgen -Cs 20 1 | tr -d ' ' | tr -d '\n' | pbcopy ``` ### Physical Access #### Lock Screen ```bash /System/Library/CoreServices/Menu\ Extras/User.menu/Contents/Resources/CGSession -suspend ``` ### Wiping Data #### Securely Remove File ```bash srm /path/to/file ``` #### Securely Remove Directory ```bash srm -r /path/to/directory/ ``` #### Securely Remove Path (Force) ```bash srm -rf /path/to/complete/destruction ``` ## Search ### Find #### Recursively Delete .DS_Store Files ```bash find . -type f -name '*.DS_Store' -ls -delete ``` ### Locate #### Build Locate Database ```bash sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.locate.plist ``` #### Search via Locate The `-i` modifier makes the search case insensitive. ```bash locate -i *.jpg ``` ## System ### AirDrop #### Enable AirDrop over Ethernet and on Unsupported Macs ```bash defaults write com.apple.NetworkBrowser BrowseAllInterfaces -bool true ``` ### AppleScript #### Execute AppleScript ```bash osascript /path/to/script.scpt ``` ### Basics #### Restart ```bash sudo reboot ``` #### Shutdown ```bash sudo poweroff ``` #### Show Build Number of OS ```bash sw_vers ``` ### Clipboard #### Copy data to Clipboard ```bash cat whatever.txt | pbcopy ``` #### Convert Tabs to Spaces for Clipboard Content ```bash pbpaste | expand | pbcopy ``` #### Copy data from Clipboard ```bash pbpaste > whatever.txt ``` #### Sort and Strip Duplicate Lines from Clipboard Content ```bash pbpaste | sort | uniq | pbcopy ``` ### FileVault #### Check FileVault Status ```bash sudo fdesetup status ``` ### Information/Reports #### Generate Advanced System and Performance Report ```bash sudo sysdiagnose -f ~/Desktop/ ``` ### Kernel Extensions #### Load Kernel Extension ```bash sudo kextload -b com.apple.driver.ExampleBundle ``` #### Unload Kernel Extensions ```bash sudo kextunload -b com.apple.driver.ExampleBundle ``` ### LaunchAgents #### Periodical Job Template Run job every 5 minutes. ```xml Label com.example.touchsomefile ProgramArguments touch /tmp/helloworld StartInterval 300 ``` #### Periodical via Calendar Interval Job Template ```xml Label com.example.touchsomefile ProgramArguments touch /tmp/helloworld StartCalendarInterval Minute 45 Hour 13 Day 7 ``` #### Monitoring Directory Job Template ```xml Label com.example.watchhostconfig ProgramArguments syslog -s -l notice somebody touched /etc/hostconfig WatchPaths /etc/hostconfig ``` ### 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](#build-locate-database). ```bash sudo $(locate lsregister) -kill -seed -r ``` ### Memory Management #### Purge memory cache ```bash sudo purge ``` ### Notification Center #### Disable Notification Center ```bash launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.notificationcenterui.plist && killall -9 NotificationCenter ``` #### Enable Notification Center ```bash launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.notificationcenterui.plist ``` ### QuickLook #### Preview via QuickLook ```bash qlmanage -p /path/to/file ``` ### Root User #### Enable Root User ```bash dsenableroot ``` #### Disable Root User ```bash dsenableroot -d ``` ### Safe Mode Boot #### Check Safe Mode Setting ```bash nvram boot-args ``` #### Enable Safe Mode ```bash sudo nvram boot-args="-x" ``` #### Disable Safe Mode ```bash sudo nvram boot-args="" ``` ### Software Installation #### Install PKG ```bash installer -pkg /path/to/installer.pkg -target / ``` ### Software Update #### Set Software Update Check Interval Set to check daily instead of weekly. ```bash defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ScheduleFrequency -int 1 ``` ### Spotlight #### Disable Indexing ```bash mdutil -i off -d /path/to/volume ``` #### Enable Indexing ```bash mdutil -i on /path/to/volume ``` #### Erase Spotlight Index and Rebuild ```bash mdutil -E /path/to/volume ``` #### Search via Spotlight ```bash mdfind -name 'searchterm' ``` ## Terminal #### Ring Terminal Bell Rings the terminal bell (if enabled) and puts a badge on it. ```bash tput bel ``` ### Alternative Terminals - [iTerm 2](https://iterm2.com) - A better Terminal.app. - [TotalTerminal](http://totalterminal.binaryage.com) - A system-wide terminal available on a hot-key. ### Terminal Fonts - [Anonymous Pro](http://www.marksimonson.com/fonts/view/anonymous-pro) - A family of four fixed-width fonts designed with coding in mind. - [Hack](http://sourcefoundry.org/hack/) - Hack is hand groomed and optically balanced to be your go-to code face. - [Inconsolata](http://levien.com/type/myfonts/inconsolata.html) - A monospace font, designed for code listings and the like. - [Input](http://input.fontbureau.com) - Input is a flexible system of fonts designed specifically for code. - [Meslo](https://github.com/andreberg/Meslo-Font) - Customized version of Apple's Menlo font. ## License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.