usage
- commands
- usage
  - basic usage
  - list all domains
defaults
- programming
  - xCode
  - iTerm2
  - terminal
- utilities
- screenshot
- finder
  - quit via ⌘ + Q
  - default location
  - extension
  - view
  - icon
  - bars
  - panel
  - hidden file
  - others
- desktop
- menu bar
- trackpad
- dock
  - show
  - icon
  - animation
  - autohide
  - others
- mission control
- keyboard & trackpad
- battery
- browser
  - chrome
  - safari
- system
- others
backup & restore
- Moon
- vscode

reference:

* defaults-write.com

10 terminal commands to speed up macOS High Sierra on your Mac

* macOS defaults list

macOS defaults

How To Change Preferences From The Command Line On MacOS?

mac defaults

uson1x/hack.sh

Maya/mac settings.sh

dotfiles/mac/mac_settings.sh

osx-for-hackers.sh

brandonb927/osx-for-hackers.sh

mathiasbynens/dotfiles

.macos

akachrislee/osx

usage

commands

commands	comments
`read`	prints the user’s settings to standard output
`read-type`	prints the plist type for a given key
`write`	write a value for the given key
`rename`	rename a key
`import`	import a plist to a given domain
`export`	export a domain and all the keys as a plist
`delete`	delete a given key or a domain / all keys for a given domain
`domains`	prints the name of all domains
`find`	search all domains, keys, and values for a given word

usage

basic usage

# gets all
$ defaults read DOMAIN

# gets
$ defaults read DOMAIN PROPERTY_NAME

# find
$ defaults find <KEYWORD>

# get type
$ defaults read-type <DOMAIN> <KEY>

# rename
$ defaults rename <DOMAIN> <OLD_KEY> <NEW_KEY>

# sets
$ defaults write DOMAIN PROPERTY_NAME VALUE

# resets a property
$ defaults delete DOMAIN PROPERTY_NAME

# resets preferences
$ defaults delete DOMAIN

list all domains

$ defaults domains

i.e.

$ defaults domains | tr ',' '\n' | head
ContextStoreAgent
 MobileMeAccounts
 com.100hps.captin
 com.ScooterSoftware.BeyondCompare
 com.app77.pwsafemac
 com.apple.AMPLibraryAgent
 com.apple.ATS
 com.apple.Accessibility
 com.apple.AdLib
 com.apple.AddressBook

defaults

programming

xCode

add additional Counterpart Suffixes

# `"ViewModel" "View"`
$ defaults write com.apple.dt.Xcode IDEAdditionalCounterpartSuffixes -array-add "ViewModel" "View" && killall Xcode

# `"Router" "Interactor" "Builder"`
$ defaults write com.apple.dt.Xcode IDEAdditionalCounterpartSuffixes -array-add "Router" "Interactor" "Builder" && killall Xcode

show build durations

$ defaults write com.apple.dt.Xcode ShowBuildOperationDuration -bool true && killall Xcode

add additional counterpart suffixes

# add "ViewModel" and "View"
$ defaults write com.apple.dt.Xcode "IDEAdditionalCounterpartSuffixes" -array-add "ViewModel" "View" && killall Xcode

# add "Router", "Interactor" and "Builder"
$ defaults write com.apple.dt.Xcode "IDEAdditionalCounterpartSuffixes" -array-add "Router" "Interactor" "Builder" && killall Xcode

show build durations

$ defaults write com.apple.dt.Xcode "ShowBuildOperationDuration" -bool "true" && killall Xcode

iTerm2

profile

# reset
$ cd ~/Library/Preferences/com.googlecode.iterm2.plist
$ defaults delete com.googlecode.iterm2

prompt when quitting

# disable
$ defaults write com.googlecode.iterm2 PromptOnQuit -bool false

terminal

# UTF-8 encoding
$ defaults write com.apple.terminal StringEncodings -array 4

# theme
$ defaults write com.apple.Terminal "Default Window Settings" -string "gruvbox-dark"
$ defaults write com.apple.Terminal "Startup Window Settings" -string "gruvbox-dark"

# more
$ defaults read com.apple.Terminal

modify theme

$ osascript <<EOD

tell application "Terminal"

  local allOpenedWindows
  local initialOpenedWindows
  local windowID
  set themeName to "Solarized Dark xterm-256color"

  (* Store the IDs of all the open terminal windows. *)
  set initialOpenedWindows to id of every window

  (* Open the custom theme so that it gets added to the list
     of available terminal themes (note: this will open two
     additional terminal windows). *)
  do shell script "open '$HOME/init/" & themeName & ".terminal'"

  (* Wait a little bit to ensure that the custom theme is added. *)
  delay 1

  (* Set the custom theme as the default terminal theme. *)
  set default settings to settings set themeName

  (* Get the IDs of all the currently opened terminal windows. *)
  set allOpenedWindows to id of every window

  repeat with windowID in allOpenedWindows

    (* Close the additional windows that were opened in order
       to add the custom theme to the list of terminal themes. *)
    if initialOpenedWindows does not contain windowID then
      close (every window whose id is windowID)

    (* Change the theme for the initial opened terminal windows
       to remove the need to close them in order for the custom
       theme to be applied. *)
    else
      set current settings of tabs of (every window whose id is windowID) to settings set themeName
    end if

  end repeat
end tell
EOD

enable security keyboard

[!NOTE|label:references:]

How secure is "Secure Keyboard Entry" in Mac OS X's Terminal?

$ defaults write com.apple.terminal SecureKeyboardEntry -bool true

line marks

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.Terminal ShowLineMarks -int 0

utilities

startup sounds

# disable
$ sudo nvram StartupMute=%01
# or
$ sudo nvram SystemAudioVolume=" "

# enable
$ sudo nvram StartupMute=%00

forbidden spell automatic correction

$ defaults write -g NSAutomaticQuoteSubstitutionEnabled  -bool false
$ defaults write -g NSAutomaticDashSubstitutionEnabled   -bool false
$ defaults write -g NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled -bool false

disable notification centers

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

are you sure you want to open this application?

$ defaults write com.apple.LaunchServices LSQuarantine -bool false

# or
$ sudo spctl --master-disable

avoid install resource validation

references:

How to fix: This is an application downloaded from the Internet. Are you sure you want to open it?

disable application quarantine message

$ sudo spctl --master-disable
$ defaults write com.apple.LaunchServices LSQuarantine -bool false

none warning for unknown resource open

$ defaults write com.apple.LaunchServices LSQuarantine -bool false

enable the hidden file

$ defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles TRUE && killall Finder

# or
$ defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles YES

screenshot

set screenshot location

# `~/Picture/Screenshots`
$ defaults write com.apple.iphonesimulator ScreenShotSaveLocation -string ~/Pictures/Screenshots

# `~/Picture/Simulator Screenshots`
$ defaults write com.apple.iphonesimulator ScreenShotSaveLocation -string ~/Pictures/Simulator Screenshots

shadow

# show
$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool false && killall SystemUIServer

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow -bool true && killall SystemUIServer

include date

# include
$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture include-date -bool true && killall SystemUIServer

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture include-date -bool false && killall SystemUIServer

save location

# `~/Desktop`
$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture location -string ~/Desktop && killall SystemUIServer

# `~/Pictures`
$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture location -string ~/Pictures && killall SystemUIServer

thumbnail

# display
$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture show-thumbnail -bool true

# disable thumbnail
$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture show-thumbnail -bool false

screenshot format

# `png`
$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture type -string png

# `jpg`
$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture type -string jpg

finder

quit via ⌘ + Q

# hidden quite
$ defaults write com.apple.finder QuitMenuItem -bool false && killall Finder

# enable quite
$ defaults write com.apple.finder QuitMenuItem -bool true && killall Finder

default location

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

extension

# show
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleShowAllExtensions -bool true && killall Finder
# disable
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleShowAllExtensions -bool false && killall Finder

# show warning when change file extension warning
$ defaults write com.apple.finder FXEnableExtensionChangeWarning -bool true && killall Finder
# silent when change file extension warning
$ defaults write com.apple.finder FXEnableExtensionChangeWarning -bool false && killall Finder

view

$ defaults write com.apple.finder _FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool true

column view

[!TIP]

view modes

Default view style

icnv : Icon View

clmv : Column View

Flwv : Cover Flow View

Nlsv : List View

$ defaults write com.apple.finder FXPreferredViewStyle clmv && killall Finder

keep folder on top

$ defaults write com.apple.finder "_FXSortFoldersFirst" -bool "true" && killall Finder

# for desktop
$ defaults write com.apple.finder "_FXSortFoldersFirstOnDesktop" -bool "true" && killall Finder

icon

# small: 1
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSTableViewDefaultSizeMode -int 1 && killall Finder

# medium: 2
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSTableViewDefaultSizeMode -int 2 && killall Finder

# large: 3
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSTableViewDefaultSizeMode -int 3 && killall Finder

show item info near icons

$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:showItemInfo true" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:showItemInfo true" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:showItemInfo true" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

show item info to right of icons

$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:labelOnBottom false" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

snap-to-grid for icons

$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:arrangeBy grid" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:arrangeBy grid" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:arrangeBy grid" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

increase grid spacing for icons

$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:gridSpacing 100" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:gridSpacing 100" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:gridSpacing 100" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

increase the size of icons

$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :DesktopViewSettings:IconViewSettings:iconSize 80" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :FK_StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:iconSize 80" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist
$ /usr/libexec/PlistBuddy -c "Set :StandardViewSettings:IconViewSettings:iconSize 80" ~/Library/Preferences/com.apple.finder.plist

bars

show path bar

$ defaults write com.apple.finder ShowPathbar -bool true

show status bar

$ defaults write com.apple.finder ShowStatusBar -bool true

show icon in the title bar

$ defaults write com.apple.universalaccess "showWindowTitlebarIcons" -bool "true" && killall Finder

# `0.5`
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSToolbarTitleViewRolloverDelay -float 0.5 && killall Finder
# `0`
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSToolbarTitleViewRolloverDelay -float 0 && killall Finder
# `1`
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSToolbarTitleViewRolloverDelay -float 1 && killall Finder

panel

# expand save panel by default
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode -bool true
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSNavPanelExpandedStateForSaveMode2 -bool true

# expand print panel by default
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint -bool true
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint2 -bool true

hidden file

show hidden files

# show
$ defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true && killall Finder

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool false && killall Finder

disable the `.DS_Store` and `._*`

[!NOTE|label:references:]
Junk files created by macOS (or Finder)...
You can disable MDS on a specific volume, but you need to create a hidden file to do it
$ sudo touch /Volumes/{drive name}/.metadata_never_index
more details

.DS_Store – The name of a file in the Apple OS X operating system for storing custom attributes of a folder such as the position of icons or the choice of a background image (Read more)

.Spotlight-V100 – This file holds information to speed up the 'Spotlight Search' feature. Deleting would simply force this information to be re-indexed if you performed another Spotlight Search for an item in this folder.

.apDisk – This file holds information about shared folders and can be safely removed as it will be automatically re-created if Apple needs it.

.VolumeIcon.icns – This file is used to store the icon of the volume (USB device) if the volume uses a custom icon and not the default icon. If you want the device to continue using this default icon, or if the folder/device you want to clean contains an application, you might want to keep this file in your system. As a side note, if you wanted to create a custom icon for your device you could create/download an .icns file and rename it .VolumeIcon.icns and place in your folder/device.

.fseventsd – This file is used as a buffer for the File System Events daemon. If you are using a program that is monitoring this folder/device, this file might be used to store temporary data.

.Trash & .Trashes – These folders are used to hold deleted items the same way that the 'Trash' icon from the dock works. If you don't need this feature on your folder/device, you can clean this folder to save space.

.TemporaryItems – This file is used by the OS to hold temporary data when files are being copied/moved/appended. If you are running any programs that are accessing the folder/device you want to clean, and you aren't copying or moving any files, then this file can simply hold old data for caching.

# Network drives
$ defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores -bool true
# USB drives
$ defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteUSBStores -bool true

enable

$ defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteNetworkStores -bool false
$ defaults write com.apple.desktopservices DSDontWriteUSBStores -bool false

result

$ defaults read com.apple.desktopservices
{
    DSDontWriteNetworkStores = 1;
    DSDontWriteUSBStores = 1;
}

others

search scope

[!TIP]

default search scope

SCcf : Search the current folder

SCsp : Use the previous search scope

SCev : Search this Mac

# use current directory as default search scope
$ defaults write com.apple.finder FXDefaultSearchScope -string "SCcf"

empty trashcan after 30 days

$ defaults write com.apple.finder "FXRemoveOldTrashItems" -bool "true" && killall Finder

disk image verification

# disable
$ 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

silent quiet

# quit printer app once the print jobs complete
$ defaults write com.apple.print.PrintingPrefs "Quit When Finished" -bool true

save to disk or iCloud

# yes: save to iCloud
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSDocumentSaveNewDocumentsToCloud -bool true

# no: save to disk by default
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSDocumentSaveNewDocumentsToCloud -bool false

select && copy from quicklook

$ defaults write com.apple.finder QLEnableTextSelection -bool TRUE; killall Finder

spring loading

# enable spring loading
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.springing.enabled -bool true

# disable spring loading delay
defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.springing.delay -float 0

volume mounted

# open finder automatically
$ defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages auto-open-ro-root -bool true
$ defaults write com.apple.frameworks.diskimages auto-open-rw-root -bool true
$ defaults write com.apple.finder OpenWindowForNewRemovableDisk -bool true

desktop

keep folders on top

$ defaults write com.apple.finder "_FXSortFoldersFirstOnDesktop" -bool "true" && killall Finder

quick hidden desktop icons

$ defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop -bool FALSE && killall Finder

# revert back
$ defaults write com.apple.finder CreateDesktop TRUE && killall Finder

icons

show external disk

$ defaults write com.apple.finder ShowExternalHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool true

show hard drive

$ defaults write com.apple.finder ShowHardDrivesOnDesktop -bool false

show connected servers

$ defaults write com.apple.finder ShowMountedServersOnDesktop -bool true

show removeable media ( CDs, DVDs and iPods )

$ defaults write com.apple.finder ShowRemovableMediaOnDesktop -bool true

transparency

# disable transparency
$ defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool true

highlight color

# green
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleHighlightColor -string "0.764700 0.976500 0.568600"

# black
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleHighlightColor -string "0.500000 0.500000 0.500000"

flash clock time separators

# stay solid
$ defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock FlashDateSeparators -bool false && killall SystemUIServer

# separator flashes
$ defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock FlashDateSeparators -bool true && killall SystemUIServer

[!NOTE|label:region settings:]

ss for seconds.

HH for 24-hour clock.

EEE for 3-letter day of the week.

d MMM for day of the month and 3-letter month.

# `EEE d MMM HH:mm:ss`
$ defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock DateFormat -string "EEE d MMM HH:mm:ss"

# `EEE h:mm:ss`
$ defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock DateFormat -string "EEE h:mm:ss"

# `EEE HH:mm:ss`
$ defaults write com.apple.menuextra.clock DateFormat -string "EEE HH:mm:ss"

# disable transparency
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleEnableMenuBarTransparency -bool false

trackpad

[!TIP]

* Access Trackpad settings from macOS UI

click weight

# light: 0
$ defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad "FirstClickThreshold" -int "0"

# medium: 1
$ defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad "FirstClickThreshold" -int "1"

# firm: 2
$ defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad "FirstClickThreshold" -int "2"

enable dragging with drag lock

$ defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad "DragLock" -bool "true"

Enable dragging without drag lock

$ defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad "Dragging" -bool "true"

enable dragging with three finger drag

$ defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad "TrackpadThreeFingerDrag" -bool "true"

dock

[!NOTE|label:references:]
Dock performance setup
revert dock to default
$ defaults delete com.apple.dock && killall Dock

show

add a blank space

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

group window by app

$ defaults write com.apple.dock "expose-group-apps" -bool "true" && killall Dock

position

[!TIP]

* Access Dock settings from macOS UI

# `left`
$ defaults write com.apple.dock orientation -string left && killall Dock

# `right`
$ defaults write com.apple.dock orientation -string right && killall Dock

# `bottom`
$ defaults write com.apple.dock orientation -string bottom && killall Dock

disable delay of dock displaying

$ defaults write com.apple.Dock autohide-delay -float 0 && killall Dock

show recently

# show
$ defaults write com.apple.dock show-recents -bool true && killall Dock

# disable show
$ defaults write com.apple.dock show-recents -bool false && killall Dock

recent use rearrange space

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.dock mru-spaces -bool false && killall Dock

icon

highlight icon

$ defaults write com.apple.dock mouse-over-hilite-stack -bool TRUE && killall Dock

# revert
$ defaults delete com.apple.dock mouse-over-hilite-stack && killall Dock

icon size

tilesize

# `48`
$ defaults write com.apple.dock tilesize -int 48 && killall Dock

# read current value
$ defaults read com.apple.dock tilesize
46

largesize

# 72
$ defaults write com.apple.dock largesize -float 72 && killall Dock

remove none-opened apps

$ defaults write com.apple.dock static-only -boolean true && killall Dock

# revert
$ defaults delete com.apple.dock static-only && killall Dock

hidden icon

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

# revert
$ defaults delete com.apple.Dock showhidden && killall Dock

animation

opening applications animation

# enable
$ defaults write com.apple.dock launchanim -bool true

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.dock launchanim -bool false

animation of minimize windows

# * `suck`
$ defaults write com.apple.dock mineffect suck && killall Dock

# `genie`
$ defaults write com.apple.dock mineffect genie && killall Dock

# `scale`
$ defaults write com.apple.dock mineffect -string scale && killall Dock

autohide

# auto hide
$ defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool true && killall Dock

# always show
$ defaults write com.apple.dock autohide -bool false && killall Dock

autohide animation delay

[!NOTE|label:precondition]

setup autohide to true

# `0.5`
$ defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -float 0.5 && killall dock

# `2`
$ defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -float 2 && killall dock

# `0`
$ defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -float 0 && killall dock

# read current value
$ defaults read com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier
1

autohide delay

[!NOTE|label:precondition]

setup autohide to true

# `0.5`
$ defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-delay -float 0.5 && killall Dock

# `0`
$ defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-delay -float 0 && killall Dock

# read current value
$ defaults read com.apple.dock autohide-delay
0

others

2D Dock

$ defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -bool true

enable iTunes track notifications in the dock

$ defaults write com.apple.dock itunes-notifications -bool true

highlight hover effect

# enable highlight
$ defaults write com.apple.dock mouse-over-hilte-stack -bool true

speeding up mission control animations

$ defaults write com.apple.dock expose-animation-duration -float 0.1
$ defaults write com.apple.dock "expose-group-by-app" -bool true

spring loading for all Dock items

$ defaults write com.apple.dock enable-spring-load-actions-on-all-items -bool true

indicator lights for open apps

# show indicators lights
$ defaults write com.apple.dock show-process-indicators -bool true

mission control

rearrange automatically

# base on most of recent use
$ defaults write com.apple.dock mru-spaces -bool true && killall Dock

# keep space arrangement
$ defaults write com.apple.dock mru-spaces -bool false && killall Dock

switch to space with open windows

$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain "AppleSpacesSwitchOnActivate" -bool "true" && killall Dock

displays have separate spaces

$ defaults write com.apple.spaces "spans-displays" -bool "true" && killall SystemUIServer

keyboard & trackpad

[!NOTE|label:references:]

Key repeat in GitHub Codespaces

How can I disable ApplePressAndHoldEnabled for a specific application

#31919: Characters don't repeat when ApplePressAndHoldEnabled is disabled for VSCode

key repeat

$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -boolean false

# or
$ defaults write -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false

restore

$ defaults delete -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled

key repeat for in specific apps

# chrome
$ defaults delete -g ApplePressAndHoldEnabled
$ defaults write "com.google.Chrome" ApplePressAndHoldEnabled 0

# vscode
$ defaults delete com.microsoft.VSCode ApplePressAndHoldEnabled
$ defaults write com.microsoft.VSCode ApplePressAndHoldEnabled -bool false

fast keyboard response

$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain KeyRepeat -int 0.02

reduce key repeat delay

$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain InitialKeyRepeat -int 12

enable full keyboard access

[!TIP] Enable full keyboard access for all controls (e.g. enable Tab in modal dialogs)

$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleKeyboardUIMode -int 3

auto-correct

# disable
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticSpellingCorrectionEnabled -bool false

keyboard illumination

# turn off keyboard illumination when computer is not used for 5 minutes
$ defaults write com.apple.BezelServices kDimTime -int 300

increasing sound quality for bluetooth

$ defaults write com.apple.BluetoothAudioAgent "Apple Bitpool Min (editable)" -int 40

enable tap to click

$ defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad Clicking -int 1
$ defaults -currentHost write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.mouse.tapBehavior -int 1
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.mouse.tapBehavior -int 1

enable three finger to drag

$ defaults write com.apple.driver.AppleBluetoothMultitouch.trackpad TrackpadThreeFingerDrag -bool true
$ defaults write com.apple.AppleMultitouchTrackpad TrackpadThreeFingerDrag -bool true

trackpad & mouse speed

$ defaults write -g com.apple.trackpad.scaling 2
$ defaults write -g com.apple.mouse.scaling 2.5

battery

# get display off timer
$ pmset -g  | grep displaysleep
displaysleep         180

# set display off timer
$ pmset -a displaysleep 30

battery percent

# show battery percent
$ defaults write com.apple.menuextra.battery ShowPercent -string "YES"

remaining battery time

$ defaults write com.apple.menuextra.battery ShowTime -string "YES"

browser

chrome

sensitive backswipe

# disable on trackpads
$ defaults write com.google.Chrome AppleEnableSwipeNavigateWithScrolls -bool false
$ defaults write com.google.Chrome.canary AppleEnableSwipeNavigateWithScrolls -bool false

# disable on magic mouse
$ defaults write com.google.Chrome AppleEnableMouseSwipeNavigateWithScrolls -bool false
$ defaults write com.google.Chrome.canary AppleEnableMouseSwipeNavigateWithScrolls -bool false

system-native print preview

$ defaults write com.google.Chrome DisablePrintPreview -bool true
$ defaults write com.google.Chrome.canary DisablePrintPreview -bool true

expand the print dialog

$ defaults write com.google.Chrome PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint2 -bool true
$ defaults write com.google.Chrome.canary PMPrintingExpandedStateForPrint2 -bool true

safari

show full url

$ defaults write com.apple.Safari "ShowFullURLInSmartSearchField" -bool "true" && killall Safari

dns prefetching

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.safari WebKitDNSPrefetchingEnabled -boolean false

# enable
$ defaults write com.apple.safari WebKitDNSPrefetchingEnabled -boolean true

bookmarks

# hidden bookmark
$ defaults write com.apple.Safari ShowFavoritesBar -bool false

# removing useless icons from bookmark bar
defaults write com.apple.Safari ProxiesInBookmarksBar "()"

# hidden
$ defaults write com.apple.Safari ShowSidebarInTopSites -bool false

thumbnail cache

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.Safari DebugSnapshotsUpdatePolicy -int 2

debug mode

# enable debug menu
$ defaults write com.apple.Safari IncludeInternalDebugMenu -bool true
# or
$ defaults write com.apple.Safari IncludeInternalDebugMenu 1

standard deply

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.Safari WebKitInitialTimedLayoutDelay 0.25

# develop menu and the web inspector
$ 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

# context menu for web inspector
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain WebKitDeveloperExtras -bool true

search banners

# search banners default to Contains instead of Starts With
$ defaults write com.apple.Safari FindOnPageMatchesWordStartsOnly -bool false

backspace key to previous page

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2BackspaceKeyNavigationEnabled -bool true

safari font size

$ defaults write com.apple.Safari com.apple.Safari.ContentPageGroupIdentifier.WebKit2MinimumFontSize -int 14

system

reset dns cache

[!NOTE|label:references:]

How to Flush DNS Cache on a Mac

How to Flush DNS on Mac – MacOS Clear DNS Cache

How to reset the DNS cache in OS X

$ sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder

MACOS VERSION	COMMAND
macOS 12 (Monterey)	`sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`
macOS 11 (Big Sur)	`sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`
macOS 10.15 (Catalina)	`sudo dscacheutil -flushcache; sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`
macOS 10.14 (Mojave)	`sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`
macOS 10.13 (High Sierra)	`sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`
macOS 10.12 (Sierra)	`sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`
OS X 10.11 (El Capitan)	`sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`
OS X 10.10 (Yosemite)	`sudo discoveryutil udnsflushcaches`
OS X 10.9 (Mavericks)	`sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`
OS X 10.8 (Mountain Lion)	`sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`
Mac OS X 10.7 (Lion)	`sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder`
Mac OS X 10.6 (Snow Leopard)	`sudo dscacheutil -flushcache`
Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard)	`sudo lookupd -flushcache`
Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger)	`lookupd -flushcache`

cursor

blink rate

# 1000 = 1 sec
$ defaults write -g NSTextInsertionPointBlinkPeriodOn -float 200
$ defaults write -g NSTextInsertionPointBlinkPeriodOff -float 200

# revert
$ defaults delete -g NSTextInsertionPointBlinkPeriodOn
$ defaults delete -g NSTextInsertionPointBlinkPeriodOff

set standby

# to 24 hours
$ sudo pmset -a standbydelay 86400

active dark mode

$ defaults write -g NSRequiresAquaSystemAppearance -bool true
# logout and login

# revert
$ defaults write -g NSRequiresAquaSystemAppearance -bool false

reset launchpad

$ defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool TRUE && killall Dock
# or
$ [ -e ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock/*.db ] && rm ~/Library/Application\ Support/Dock/*.db

# revert back
$ defaults delete com.apple.dock springboard-rows
$ defaults delete com.apple.dock springboard-columns
$ defaults write com.apple.dock ResetLaunchPad -bool TRUE && killall Dock

automatic terminate inactive apps

# disable
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSDisableAutomaticTermination -bool true

# enable
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSDisableAutomaticTermination -bool false

viewer windows mode

# non-floating mode
$ defaults write com.apple.helpviewer DevMode -bool true

# floating mode
$ defaults write com.apple.helpviewer DevMode -bool false

textEdit

# plain text mode
$ defaults write com.apple.TextEdit RichText -int 0
# revert
$ defaults delete com.apple.TextEdit RichText


# UTF-8 in TextEdit
$ defaults write com.apple.TextEdit PlainTextEncoding -int 4
$ defaults write com.apple.TextEdit PlainTextEncodingForWrite -int 4

disk utility

# enable debug menu
$ defaults write com.apple.DiskUtility DUDebugMenuEnabled -bool true
$ defaults write com.apple.DiskUtility advanced-image-options -bool true

QuickTime

# auto-play when open video
$ defaults write com.apple.QuickTimePlayerX MGPlayMovieOnOpen -bool true

App Store

# enable the webkit developer tools
$ defaults write com.apple.appstore WebKitDeveloperExtras -bool true

# enable debug menu
$ defaults write com.apple.appstore ShowDebugMenu -bool true

# enable the automatic update check
$ defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticCheckEnabled -bool true

# check for software updates daily instead of weekly
$ defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ScheduleFrequency -int 1

# download newly available updates in background
$ defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticDownload -int 1

# install system data files & security updates
$ defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate CriticalUpdateInstall -int 1

# automatically download apps purchased on other macs
$ defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ConfigDataInstall -int 1

# turn on app auto-update
$ defaults write com.apple.commerce AutoUpdate -bool true

# allow the app store to reboot machine on macos updates
$ defaults write com.apple.commerce AutoUpdateRestartRequired -bool true

activity monitor

# show main window
$ defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor OpenMainWindow -bool true

# visualize cpu usage
$ defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor IconType -int 5

# show all processes
$ defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor ShowCategory -int 0

# sort via cpu usage
$ defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor SortColumn -string "CPUUsage"
$ defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor SortDirection -int 0

# update frequency
$ defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor "UpdatePeriod" -int "1" && killall Activity\ Monitor

# dock icon type
## 1: regular icon
$ defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor "IconType" -int "0" && killall Activity\ Monitor
## 2: show network usage over time
$ defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor "IconType" -int "2" && killall Activity\ Monitor
## 3: show disk usage over time, as two mirrored line graphs
$ defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor "IconType" -int "3" && killall Activity\ Monitor
## 5: show the current cpu usages, as a verticle meter.
$ defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor "IconType" -int "5" && killall Activity\ Monitor
## 6: show cpu usage history, graphed over time
$ defaults write com.apple.ActivityMonitor "IconType" -int "6" && killall Activity\ Monitor

over-the-top focus ring animation

# disable
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSUseAnimatedFocusRing -bool false

spotlight

# disable
$ sudo launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist

# enable
$ sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.metadata.mds.plist

# [not recommended] hide icon
$ sudo chmod 600 /System/Library/CoreServices/Search.bundle/Contents/MacOS/Search

# stop indexing in a specific volume
$ sudo mdutil -i off "/Volumes/<name>"

# stop mdutil in a specific volume
$ sudo defaults write /.Spotlight-V100/VolumeConfiguration Exclusions -array "/Volumes/<name>"

change indexing order

defaults write com.apple.spotlight orderedItems -array \
  '{"enabled" = 1;"name" = "APPLICATIONS";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 1;"name" = "SYSTEM_PREFS";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 1;"name" = "DIRECTORIES";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 1;"name" = "PDF";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 1;"name" = "FONTS";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "DOCUMENTS";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MESSAGES";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "CONTACT";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "EVENT_TODO";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "IMAGES";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "BOOKMARKS";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MUSIC";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MOVIES";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "PRESENTATIONS";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "SPREADSHEETS";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "SOURCE";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MENU_DEFINITION";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MENU_OTHER";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MENU_CONVERSION";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MENU_EXPRESSION";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MENU_WEBSEARCH";}' \
  '{"enabled" = 0;"name" = "MENU_SPOTLIGHT_SUGGESTIONS";}'
# Load new settings before rebuilding the index
killall mds > /dev/null 2>&1
# Make sure indexing is enabled for the main volume
sudo mdutil -i on / > /dev/null
# Rebuild the index from scratch
sudo mdutil -E / > /dev/null

notification center

# disable
$ launchctl unload -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.notificationcenterui.plist && killall NotificationCenter

# enable
$ launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchAgents/com.apple.notificationcenterui.plist && killall NotificationCenter

dashboard

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean YES && killall Dock

# enable
$ defaults write com.apple.dashboard mcx-disabled -boolean NO && killall Dock

time machine

# disable dialog
$ defaults write com.apple.TimeMachine DoNotOfferNewDisksForBackup -bool true

# or disable local backup
$ hash tmutil &> /dev/null && sudo tmutil disablelocal

scrollbars

# always show
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleShowScrollBars -string "Auto"

ASCII control characters using caret notation in standard text views

[!NOTE|label:references:]

#465 : NSTextShowsControlCharacters setting causes Mail to freeze

Mail App Freezes/Hangs OS X 10.10.2

$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSTextShowsControlCharacters -bool true

system-wide resume

# disable
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSQuitAlwaysKeepsWindows -bool false

loginwindow

# reveal ip address, hostname, os version, etc. when clicking the clock in the login window
$ sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow AdminHostInfo HostName

# revert
$ sudo defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow AdminHostInfo

sleep mode

# never go to sleep mode
$ systemsetup -setcomputersleep Off > /dev/null

# disable computer sleep and stop the display from shutting off
$ sudo pmset -a sleep 0
$ sudo pmset -a displaysleep 0

# disable hibernatemode to speeds up entering sleep mode
$ sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 0

power button in stand-by mode

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.loginwindow PowerButtonSleepsSystem -bool no

# revert to original
$ defaults write com.apple.loginwindow PowerButtonSleepsSystem -bool yes

remove sleep image file

$ sudo rm /Private/var/vm/sleepimage
# creating a zero-byte file instead of
$ sudo touch /Private/var/vm/sleepimage
# make sure be rewritten
$ sudo chflags uchg /Private/var/vm/sleepimage

download apps security

# disable
$ defaults write com.apple.LaunchServices LSQuarantine -bool NO

# enable
$ defaults write com.apple.LaunchServices LSQuarantine -bool YES

un-useful sudden motion sensor for SSDs

# disable
$ sudo pmset -a sms 0

smart quotes and smart dashes

# disable
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticQuoteSubstitutionEnabled -bool false
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain NSAutomaticDashSubstitutionEnabled -bool false

requiring password immediately

$ defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPassword -int 1
$ defaults write com.apple.screensaver askForPasswordDelay -int 0

subpixel font rendering

# enable subpixel font rendering on non-Apple LCDs
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain AppleFontSmoothing -int 2

HiDPI display modes

$ sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.windowserver DisplayResolutionEnabled -bool true
$ sudo reboot

others

feedback assistant

auto gather

# allow large
$ defaults write com.apple.appleseed.FeedbackAssistant Autogather -bool true

# not allow
$ defaults write com.apple.appleseed.FeedbackAssistant Autogather -bool false

sidecar on incompatible macs

$ defaults write com.apple.sidecar.display AllowAllDevices -bool true; defaults write com.apple.sidecar.display hasShownPref -bool true; open /System/Library/PreferencePanes/Sidecar.prefPane

open photos automatically

# disable
$ defaults -currentHost write com.apple.ImageCapture disableHotPlug -bool true

# revert back
$ defaults -currentHost delete com.apple.ImageCapture disableHotPlug

show one application at a time

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

# revert to orignial
$ defaults write com.apple.dock single-app -bool no && killall Dock

gatekeeper

# disable
$ defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.security GKAutoRearm -bool false

# revert to original
$ defaults delete /Library/Preferences/com.apple.security GKAutoRearm

music song notifications

# show
$ defaults write com.apple.Music "userWantsPlaybackNotifications" -bool "false" && killall Music

# disable
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain "NSCloseAlwaysConfirmsChanges" -bool "true"

function keys behavior

# default
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.keyboard.fnState -bool false

# setup
$ defaults write NSGlobalDomain com.apple.keyboard.fnState -bool true

backup & restore

Moon

backup

$ defaults export com.manytricks.Moom ~/Desktop/Moom.plist

restore

$ defaults import com.manytricks.Moom ~/Desktop/Moom.plist

vscode

extension

backup

$ code --list-extensions >> vs_code_extensions_list.txt

restore

$ cat vs_code_extensions_list.txt | xargs -n 1 code --install-extension

settings

$HOME/Library/Application Support/Code/User/settings.json

usage

commands

usage

basic usage

list all domains

defaults

programming

xCode

add additional Counterpart Suffixes

show build durations

iTerm2

profile

prompt when quitting

terminal

enable security keyboard

line marks

utilities

disable notification centers

are you sure you want to open this application?

avoid install resource validation

none warning for unknown resource open

enable the hidden file

screenshot

set screenshot location

shadow

include date

save location

thumbnail

screenshot format

finder

default location

extension

view

full POSIX path in toolbar title

column view

icon

show item info near icons

show item info to right of icons

snap-to-grid for icons

increase grid spacing for icons

increase the size of icons

bars

show path bar

show status bar

show icon in the title bar

adjust toolbar title rollover delay

panel

hidden file

show hidden files

disable the .DS_Store and ._*

others

search scope

disk image verification

silent quiet

save to disk or iCloud

select && copy from quicklook

spring loading

volume mounted

desktop

icons

menu bar

transparency

highlight color

flash clock time separators

menu bar transparency

trackpad

dock

show

add a blank space

position

disable delay of dock displaying

show recently

recent use rearrange space

icon

highlight icon

icon size

remove none-opened apps

hidden icon

animation

opening applications animation

disable the `.DS_Store` and `._*`