Customize your Mac with Terminal commands

Show Hidden Files in the Finder

There are many files and folders on your computer that Apple purposely hides since the common user shouldn't need to access those files. However, sometimes you may want to view a hidden file or folder to perform less common tasks on your computer. To display hidden folders in your finder, enter the following command:

Code:

---

defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles true; killall Dock

---

• Important: For the command to take effect, you must restart the Finder:

Go to >Force Quit, then click on the Finder and "Relaunch"

• To remove the tweak, change "true" to "false"

Make Hidden Application Icons in the Dock Transparent

The following command will make dock application icons you hide transparent:

Code:

---

defaults write com.apple.Dock show hidden -boolean yes; killall Dock

---

• To remove the tweak, change "yes" to "no"

Preserve 2-D Dock Look

Code:

---

defaults write com.apple.dock no-glass -boolean yes; killall Dock

---

• To remove the tweak, change "yes" to "no"

Add a "Recent Files" Stack to the Dock

Code:

---

defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-others -array-add '{ "tile-data" = { "list-type" = 1; }; "tile-type" = "recents-tile"; }'; killall Dock

---

• You can remove the stacks from the dock by simply dragging the stack out of the dock

Alter List View in Stacks to be More Like Grid View

• If you find yourself trying to pick between the "list" and "grid" view for stacks, try this command, which alters the "list" view to looks slightly more like the "grid" view.

Code:

---

defaults write com.apple.dock use-new-list-stack -bool YES; killall Dock

---

• To remove the tweak, change "YES" to "NO"

Turn on Stacks Highlights

• This is another handy command for stacks, which will highlight the item in your stack that your mouse is currently hovering over:

Code:

---

defaults write com.apple.dock mouse-over-hilite-stack -boolean yes; killall Dock

---

Add a Message to the Login Screen

Code:

---

sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.loginwindow LoginwindowText "Hi, I am Mac"

---

Enable the Path View in Finder

Code:

---

defaults write com.apple.finder FXShowPosixPathInTitle -bool YES; killall Dock

---

• To remove the tweak, change "YES" to "NO"

Add Spaces Between Icons in the Dock

Code:

---

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

---

• If you have a lot of applications in your Dock, this command will create a blank icon that you can use as a spacer between icons.
• To move the spacer, just drag it along the Dock to its desire location.
• To remove the spacer, simply drag it out of the Dock