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Have you ever felt like a digital wizard while typing away in macOS’s Terminal? I hope you know that It’s not just a tool for developers—Terminal is your backstage pass to macOS, giving you access to powerful commands that let you perform advanced tasks on macOS with ease. From automating backups to batch-renaming files or even tweaking hidden system settings, Terminal unlocks a whole new level of control. With the right commands, you can streamline workflows, troubleshoot issues, and customize your Mac beyond what the standard settings allow. But don’t worry—you don’t need to be a coding genius to perform advanced tasks on macOS using Terminal. With a few simple commands, you can optimize your system, speed up repetitive tasks, and even unlock hidden macOS features. Just be sure to use it wisely—one wrong command, and you might find yourself troubleshooting instead of fine-tuning! Ready to perform advanced tasks on macOS like a pro? Let’s dive into the world of Terminal and explore how you can take full control of your Mac!
- What Is a Terminal?
- Terminal Basics Open Terminal Basic Commands
- Advanced Terminal Magic Automate File Management Tweak Hidden macOS Settings Download Files Without a Browser Monitor System Resources
- When Terminal Shines
- Terminal Safety Tips
- Conclusion
What Is a Terminal?
Terminal is macOS’s command-line powerhouse, letting you bypass the graphical interface (GUI) to interact directly with the Unix core of your Mac. Think of it as a magic wand for developers, sysadmins, or anyone tired of clicking through endless menus.
Terminal Basics
Before we summon the dark arts, let’s cover the fundamentals.
Open Terminal
- Spotlight Search: Press ⌘ + Space → Type “Terminal” → Hit Enter.
- Finder: Go to Applications > Utilities > Terminal.
Basic Commands
| Command | What It Does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| ls | Lists files in the current directory. | ls ~/Downloads → Shows your Downloads folder. |
| cd | Changes directory. | cd Desktop → Navigates to your desktop. |
| pwd | Prints your current directory path. | pwd → Shows /Users/yourname/Documents. |
| sudo | Runs commands with admin privileges. Use with caution! | sudo rm -rf OldFolder → Deletes a folder. |
| man | Displays a command’s manual. | man ls → Explains ls options. |
Pro Tip : Press ⌃ + C to stop any runaway command. Your Mac will thank you.
Advanced Terminal Magic
Automate File Management
Batch Rename Files Turn “Photo 1.jpg” into “Vacation_2025_1.jpg” with one command:
bash
for i in *.jpg; do mv “$i” “Vacation_2025_${i#Photo}”; done
Copy Files Between Folders Use ditto to clone directories and preserve metadata:
bash
ditto -v ~/Downloads/SecretProject ~/Documents/Backups
Tweak Hidden macOS Settings
Change Screenshot Save Location Tired of desktop clutter? Redirect screenshots to a folder:
bash
defaults write com.apple.screencapture location ~/Pictures/Screenshots
killall SystemUIServer # Restarts the screenshot service
Disable Announcing “Your disk is almost full” Silence the nagging alerts:
bash
sudo defaults write com.apple.diskspaced DiskspaceLowAlert -bool false
Download Files Without a Browser
Use curl to grab files directly from the web:
bash
curl -O https://example.com/super_important_file.zip
Monitor System Resources
Track CPU Hoggers See which app is eating your RAM with top (press Q to quit):
bash
top -o mem
Kill a Frozen Process Find the process ID (PID) with ps, then nuke it:
bash
ps aux | grep “Google Chrome” # Find Chrome’s PID
kill -9 [PID] # Replace [PID] with the number
When Terminal Shines
| Scenario | Commands/Tools | Why It’s Awesome |
|---|---|---|
| Developer Workflow | git, brew, ssh | Manage code, install apps, and remote servers. |
| Data Hoarders | rsync, cron | Automate backups to external drives. |
| Privacy Nerds | lsof, netstat | Monitor network activity and block trackers. |
| Customization Fans | defaults write | Tweak Dock, animations, and hidden settings. |
Terminal Safety Tips
- Avoid sudo rm -rf → This deletes files permanently . Double-check paths!
- Back Up First → Use cp -R to copy folders before editing.
- Test Scripts → Run them in a safe directory ( not /System!).
Conclusion
Terminal is one of the most powerful tools at your disposal, giving you the ability to perform advanced tasks on macOS with just a few commands. Whether you’re automating tedious tasks, managing system processes, or uncovering hidden macOS features, mastering the command line can take your tech skills to the next level. If you’re ready to perform advanced tasks on macOS, don’t be afraid to experiment. From scripting backups to customizing system settings, Terminal opens up a world of possibilities. And hey, if nothing else, you can at least impress your friends (or your cat) with a few cool tricks. So go ahead—fire up Terminal, type say “I am a wizard”, and let your Mac confirm that you’re officially ready to perform advanced tasks on macOS like a pro!
Author:Ifeoluwa Adeleke
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You’ve most likely desired that your Mac could handle boring, repetitive tasks for you? Good news— Automator Workflows on Mac can do just that! Apple’s built-in automation tool makes it easy to streamline your workflow, whether you’re renaming hundreds of files, organizing your downloads, or setting up custom shortcuts. With its simple drag-and-drop interface, Automator Workflows on Mac let you create custom automations without needing to write a single line of code. Want to resize images in bulk? Move files to specific folders with a click? Or even trigger actions using voice commands? Automator has you covered. If you’re looking to boost efficiency, Automator Workflows on Mac are a game-changer. Once you start using them, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them. Let’s dive in and explore how you can create powerful workflows that save time and make your Mac work smarter, not harder!
- What Is Automator?
- How to Create a Workflow Launch Automator Choose a Workflow Type Build Your Workflow
- When Automator Shines
- Advanced Tips for Power Users
- Conclusion
What Is Automator?
Automator is macOS’s secret weapon for automating tasks. It lets you chain actions (like “resize images” or “send emails”) into reusable workflows, which can be saved as apps, services, or even folder triggers. Think of it as a digital LEGO kit for your Mac—no coding required!
How to Create a Workflow
Launch Automator
- Spotlight Search: Press ⌘ + Space → Type “Automator” → Open it.
- Finder: Navigate to Applications > Utilities > Automator.
Choose a Workflow Type
Automator offers eight workflow types—pick the one that fits your task:
| Workflow Type | Best For |
|---|---|
| Workflow | Testing or running tasks within Automator. |
| Application | Standalone apps (e.g., drag-and-drop tools). |
| Quick Action | Contextual menu shortcuts (e.g., ⌃ + Click). |
| Folder Action | Auto-processing files in a specific folder. |
| Calendar Alarm | Tasks tied to calendar events. |
| Dictation Command | Voice-triggered actions. |
Example : For a batch image resizer, choose Application.
Build Your Workflow
- Drag Actions: Finder Actions: “Get Finder Items,” “Move Finder Items.” Image Actions: “Scale Images,” “Apply Quartz Filter.” Text Actions: “Extract Text from PDF,” “Create New Email.” Scripts: Add AppleScript, JavaScript, or shell commands for advanced tasks.
- Connect Actions: Each action’s output feeds into the next (e.g., “Get Finder Items” → “Scale Images”).
- Test It: Click Run to preview the workflow.
When Automator Shines
| Scenario | Workflow Type | Tools to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Batch Rename Files | Application | “Get Finder Items,” “Rename Finder Items.” |
| Auto-Organize Downloads | Folder Action | “Move Finder Items” to subfolders. |
| Quick Image Resize | Quick Action | “Scale Images,” “Save as JPEG.” |
| Voice-Controlled Tasks | Dictation Command | “Run Shell Script” (e.g., “Lock screen”). |
| Backup Files | Calendar Alarm | “Copy Finder Items” to an external drive. |
Advanced Tips for Power Users
- Variables: Use Set Value of Variable to reuse data (e.g., save a folder path for later).
- Loops: Repeat for Each Item to process files one by one.
- Scripts: Add Run Shell Script to automate terminal tasks (e.g., curl downloads).
- Export to Shortcuts: Save workflows as .workflow files → Import them into Shortcuts for cross-device use.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Automator workflows on Mac are a game-changer for anyone looking to save time and streamline repetitive tasks. Whether you’re a student organizing files, a developer automating scripts, or just someone who wants a more efficient workflow, this built-in tool can make life so much easier. If you haven’t explored Automator workflows on Mac yet, now’s the perfect time to give it a try. With just a few clicks, you can turn tedious tasks into seamless automations and free up valuable time for more important things.
