Welcome to our section for advanced users. Today we will tell you about 15 ways more detailed configuration of OS X using a standard Terminal application. All of the techniques are quite simple, but it can significantly help you customize your Mac is much thinner than let the System settings.
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Improve Finder
Want to see hidden files or to copy text in Quick Look? There are many standard commands that enable you to change the appearance and functionality of Finder.
1. Find hidden files and folders
Want to see all the standard default hidden files and folders of OS X? Or you just need to find previously hidden file? Enough to use in the “Terminal” command:
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool TRUE
killall Finder
To re-hide the files change TRUE to FALSE
2. View contents of any file
If your file was corrupted or you suspect that he has hidden inside encrypted content, you should know that it is possible to force the Terminal to open it. To do this, use the following command:
cat ~/enter/file/path
Note that when you try to open in this way, a photo or almost any non-text file you will get unintelligible set of characters.
3. Copying the contents of an entire folder
Of course you can drag the file to the new location, but to simplify this process and automatically copy all the contents of one folder to another, use the command:
ditto -V ~/original/folder/ ~/new/folder/
4. Download files not through a browser
Do you have a URL for the file, but you don’t want to use Safari, Firefox or Chrome? In this case, you can resort to using terminal and commands
cd ~/Downloads/
curl -O http: // www .thefilename .com /thefile/url. mp3
Setup screenshots
5. Changing the default screenshot format
This command allows you to change the format you receive the screenshots. By default, they are saved as PNG files, but they can also be saved in PDF, JPG and many other formats.
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg
6. Disable shadow in screenshots
Another useful tip for those who shoot a lot of screenshots. This command disables drop shadow to your screenshots, leaving only image Windows:
$ defaults write com.apple.screencapture disable-shadow-bool TRUE
killall SystemUIServer
7. Create your version of the name of screenshots
Don’t like Apple’s proposed naming scheme in the screenshots? The default is “Screen Shot [date] – [time]”, but you have the option to change “Screen Shot” on any word that you like.
defaults write com.apple.screencapture name “New name”
killall SystemUIServer
To return to default scheme, use the command:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture name “”
killall SystemUIServer
8. The stock change where to save screenshots
Initially, your screenshots are saved on the desktop. However, if you prefer to save them in another folder, change this setting:
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/your/location/here
killall SystemUIServer
System configuration
If you would like change your system stronger than it is allowed by OS X itself, then the following commands will get you very way.
9. Custom message
If you want to play a joke on your friends or to display some contact information, thanks the next command you will have the opportunity to add to the welcome screen personalized messages
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow LoginwindowText “In case of loss, call 555-555-5555.”
10. How long does my Mac?
Your Mac has become suspiciously slow? He probably just needs a reboot. To find out its running time with moments enable, enter in terminal the command uptime.
11. Prevent sleep mode
When you need to get your Mac worked continuously (e.g. when working on a large project or if required, screen recordings), you can use the following command:
Caffeinate – this command will allow your Mac to sleep as long as you do not “let” him do it, pressing Control-C
caffeinate -u -t 5400 – using this command, your Mac will go into sleep mode after a half hour
12. Enable automatic restart after error
Each of us Mac crashed or gave an error at least once in life. If you no longer want to think about this problem, use the command:
sudo systemsetup -setrestartfreeze on
Custom Dock
Want to embellish your Doc? You will help these tips for the Terminal.
13. Expand Doc
You can add blank space in your dock by organizing this way additional space for new icons.
defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-apps -array-add ‘{“tile-type”=”spacer-tile”;}’
killall Dock
You can repeat this command to add new space for new icons. To remove “dummy” enough to pull it to the right until you see the appropriate icon.
14. Show hidden apps in the dock
Not sure what apps are displayed on the screen? You can customize the display of this information in the dock – for that, enter in terminal the command, lower the opacity of the icons for hidden apps.
defaults write com.apple.Dock showhidden -bool TRUEkillall Dock
15. In the dock hide inactive apps
If the ability to lower the opacity of the hidden apps came you like, then this works even better: it removes from the dock any enclosed application.
defaults write com.apple.dock static-only-bool TRUE
killall Doc