Mac Terminal: key points and the list of alternative solutions

Table of contents:

1. List of the best Terminal emulator Mac solutions
• ◦ Commander One
• ◦ ZOC
• ◦ MacTerm
• ◦ Terminator
• ◦ PowerTerm InterConnect
• ◦ iTerm
• ◦ Kitty
• ◦ Hyper
• ◦ MacWise
• ◦ Byobu
2. What is the macOS command line?
3. How to open macOS Terminal: 6 different ways
4. How to work with the command line?
5. Basic macOS Terminal commands you should know
6. Why do people look for alternatives to Default macOS Terminal?
7. MacOS Terminal: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the macOS command line?

To begin with, it is important to understand what the command line is. This is a special utility due to which the user can work with the operating system. You can configure many parameters, open some functions, etc. Of course, most of the settings are reproduced through the usual settings, but some of them can only be done using the command line. This is required in cases when:

• There are no such parameters in the usual settings.
• The opened utility does not have a graphical interface.
• It is necessary to configure several settings at once.

Sometimes it’s much easier to make settings using the command line. You can configure dozens of parameters at the same time, the main thing is to know how Mac Terminal works, and its commands.

How to open macOS Terminal: 6 different ways

If you want to open Terminal on Mac then you should be aware that it can be done the same way as you open any other programs and in different ways. Below you can find the detailed list of how to open Terminal on your Mac computer.

1. By using Finder

The most direct way is to open Mac Terminal from a general list of programs. To do this, open Finder (it is situated in the Dock menu always on the left), select Applications in the left menu and find the Utilities folder in the list of all programs that will open. Here you will find Terminal.app application. Double-click to open it. The terminal is open.

2. By using the Spotlight search bar

If you need an even faster way to open the program you need to use the Spotlight search bar on Mac. To do this, hold down the CTRL + Space bar shortcut at the same time, and in the pop-up window, start typing the word "Terminal". You will see the application you need, just click on it to make Terminal open.

3. By using programs in the Dock

Like the previous two methods, this one is not difficult. On the right side of the macOS Dock, there is usually a shortcut to the Application folder that opens a list of all installed programs on your Mac. Click on it and in the pop-up window open the Utilities folder, and in the next list find and open the program Terminal.app. Click it to open macOS Terminal.

4. By using Siri

Another easiest way to open Terminal on Mac is of course by using Siri. Select the Siri icon on the menu bar or open Siri from the Applications folder. Here you need just to say: “Open Terminal”. That’s it.

5. Quick access to Terminal

If you will often use Terminal, the most rational and convenient way is to add the program directly to the Dock. So after Terminal icon appears in the Dock among the recent apps, do the following:

• Hold down the CTRL button and click the Terminal icon in the Dock or just right-click on it;
• Choose Options from the context menu;
• Click “Keep to Dock”.

6. By using Launchpad

You can open Mac Terminal through Launchpad in two ways. By default, Launchpad contains the Other folder with the Terminal application in it.

• Open Launchpad from the Dock or with the Fn + F4 keyboard shortcut;
• Go to the Other folder;
• Find and open Terminal.app.

If you changed the Launchpad organization and deleted this folder, there is another way.

• Open Launchpad with the Fn + F4 keyboard shortcut;
• Type “Terminal” in the search bar at the top;
• When the Terminal icon appears, click it.

How to work with the command line?

The command line is a black window, with the ability to enter text into it. Most users absolutely do not know how to work with it. This utility works with the help of special commands. Each of these commands is responsible for a specific action. There are commands to open other programs, configure them, etc. There are also commands that help you work with the command line itself.

Basic macOS Terminal commands you should know

1. Automatic check for updates

By default, OS X checks for system updates and new versions of applications weekly. To make automatic verification daily, just enter the following command in the Terminal: defaults write com.apple.SoftwareUpdate ScheduleFrequency -int 1

2. Show hidden files and folders

By default, all hidden files and folders in OS X are invisible to ordinary users. Just use the Terminal if you want to correct this situation: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true

To disable the display of hidden files and folders, use the following command: defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool false

3. Selective display of hidden files and folders

If you do not want to see all hidden files and folders in the system, but want only hidden files or folders to be displayed in a specific place, enter the command: chflags nohidden / Library / specify the path to the desired folder

4. View the contents of any file

Sometimes you can face up with files in an unknown format. You can try to open it with different apps, but this does not always work. You can examine any file from Terminal using: $ cat / path / to / file

Regardless of the format, the file will open.

5. Download a file without a browser

If you want to download a file without using a browser, we can give the following command: $ curl -O specify the URL

This will download any URL you enter into the folder. Some browsers try to automatically open files when they are downloaded or add tedious file extensions when you do not want them (especially when working with text files other than the .txt extension).

6. Copying the contents of a folder from one place to another

Of course, you can simply “copy-paste” the entire contents of the folder, but in cases where you need to simplify and/or automate this process, the following command will help you: ditto -V ~ / source / folder / ~ / new / folder /

7. View all active processes

To monitor system resources in macOS, there is a special program for that. It is quite convenient and informative, nevertheless, with the same success, you can view the most resource-intensive processes in Terminal. $ top

8. Prevent sleep mode

When a task is performed on a Mac after a while, the computer goes into sleep mode if you do not press keys or touch the trackpad thus pausing the process. This can be avoided by prohibiting the transition to this mode using the settings or using the special utility. $ caffeinate -t number of seconds

Why do people look for alternatives to Default macOS Terminal?

In OS X, an ordinary user practically does not face the need to use the command line, since most of his needs are covered by what is implemented in the graphical interface of the system. However, if it is needed, the default Mac Terminal application can cope with any task you have for it. However, it is not the only one solution that is there on the market and you can find a lot of other alternatives with wider range of features or even can be customized according to your whim.