launchctl MacOS command

macOS launchctl command is a powerful tool for managing daemons and agents on Mac systems. With launchctl, users can start, stop, load, unload, and manage services. This command provides a way to interact with launchd, the service management framework on macOS. By using launchctl, users can control the launchd system and user agents, control the boot process, and troubleshoot issues related to services. It offers flexibility and control over managing processes, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation of services on macOS systems.

launchctl Syntax:

launchctl [verb] [options] [target]

launchctl Options:

Option	Description
-h, —help	Display usage information.
-V, —version	Display version information.
-q, —quiet	Suppress stdout and stderr output.
-v, —verbose	Enable verbose mode.
-l, —list	List services and jobs.
-w, —load	Load a configuration file.
-u, —unload	Unload a configuration file.
-k, —kill	Send a signal to the target.
-p, —print	Print the configuration file.
-F, —full	Display full information.
-D, —debug	Enable debug mode.
-S, —no-session	Disable per-user instance of Service Manager.
-P, —no-gui	Disable GUI operations.
-R, —no-recreate	Do not recreate the job with load command.

Caution

Use caution when using launchctl commands, as certain options may affect the system’s services and configurations.

Parameters:

Parameter	Description
verb	Specifies the action to perform (load, unload, start, stop, etc.).
options	Additional flags and settings to control the command behavior.
target	The target service or job to apply the action on.

launchctl Command Usage Examples:

Load a Launch Agent

sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchAgents/com.example.agent.plist

Loads a launch agent located at the specified path.

List Loaded Daemons

launchctl list

Displays a list of loaded daemons on the system.

Unload a Launch Daemon

sudo launchctl unload /Library/LaunchDaemons/com.example.daemon.plist

Unloads a launch daemon located at the specified path.

Restart a Launch Agent

sudo launchctl kickstart -kp system/com.example.agent

Restarts a specific launch agent by sending a kickstart signal.

Disable a Launch Daemon

sudo launchctl disable system/com.example.daemon

Disables a specific launch daemon so it will not be loaded on the next system startup.

Tip

When working with the launchctl command in MacOS, make sure to carefully read the man page (man launchctl) to understand all the available options and syntax for managing launchd configurations effectively.

How do I use launchctl in MacOS?

To use the launchctl command in bash, execute the following command:

launchctl --option <value>

Can launchctl start a specific service in MacOS?

Yes, you can start a specific service in MacOS using launchctl. Here is an example command to start a service with launchctl:

launchctl start com.example.service

How can I stop a service with launchctl on MacOS?

You can stop a service in MacOS using launchctl by running the following command:

launchctl stop com.example.service

Is it possible to list all services managed by launchctl in MacOS?

Yes, you can list all the services managed by launchctl in MacOS by using the following command:

launchctl list

How to load a configuration file with launchctl on MacOS?

To load a configuration file using launchctl in MacOS, you can use the following command:

launchctl load /path/to/plist/file.plist

Can launchctl unload a configuration file in MacOS?

Yes, you can unload a configuration file using launchctl in MacOS with the following command:

launchctl unload /path/to/plist/file.plist

How do I restart a service with launchctl on MacOS?

To restart a service in MacOS using launchctl, you can use the following command:

launchctl kickstart -k "gui/$(id -u)/com.example.service"

Applications of the launchctl command

• Managing daemons and agents
• Starting, stopping, and restarting services
• Loading and unloading services
• Managing configuration files for services
• Viewing the status and information about services
• Debugging issues with services
• Scheduling tasks and running them at specified times