Gyurci08: Created page with "Category:MacOS == macOS Services (launchd) == === Description === On macOS, `launchd` is the system-wide service manager that starts, stops, and manages daemons and agents. You can interact with it using the `launchctl` command-line tool. Services are defined in two main types: * '''LaunchAgents''': These are executed for a specific user only when that user logs into a graphical session. * '''LaunchDaemons''': These are invoked when the system boots and run indepen..."

2025-08-29T10:50:17Z

Created page with "Category:MacOS == macOS Services (launchd) == === Description === On macOS, `launchd` is the system-wide service manager that starts, stops, and manages daemons and agents. You can interact with it using the `launchctl` command-line tool. Services are defined in two main types: * '''LaunchAgents''': These are executed for a specific user only when that user logs into a graphical session. * '''LaunchDaemons''': These are invoked when the system boots and run indepen..."

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[[Category:MacOS]]
== macOS Services (launchd) ==

=== Description ===
On macOS, `launchd` is the system-wide service manager that starts, stops, and manages daemons and agents. You can interact with it using the `launchctl` command-line tool.

Services are defined in two main types:
* '''LaunchAgents''': These are executed for a specific user only when that user logs into a graphical session.
* '''LaunchDaemons''': These are invoked when the system boots and run independently of any user session.

=== Service File Locations (Namespaces) ===
The property list (`.plist`) files that define how a service should run are stored in specific directories:

==== System-Wide (Administrator-provided) ====
* `/Library/LaunchDaemons`: For system-wide daemons.
* `/Library/LaunchAgents`: For agents that should be available to all users.

==== User-Specific ====
* `~/Library/LaunchAgents`: For agents provided by and running as the current user.

=== Managing Services with `launchctl` ===
You can control services using the `launchctl` command.

To enable and start a service:
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
launchctl load /path/to/your/service.plist
</syntaxhighlight>

To disable and stop a service:
<syntaxhighlight lang="bash">
launchctl unload /path/to/your/service.plist
</syntaxhighlight>

MacOS Services - Revision history