Rather than using the Dock to stash loads of app shortcuts, you can turn it into something resembling a focused app-switcher with the following command: defaults write static-only -bool true killall DockĪfter running this, the Dock will only display apps that are currently running.

To remove a spacer, either Control-click and select Remove from Dock, or drag it away from the Dock and let go of the mouse/trackpad button. For each run of the following command, a ‘spacer’ will be added to the apps side of the Dock: defaults write persistent-apps -array-add '' killall DockĮach individual spacer can be moved in the Dock by click-dragging it. When you’ve got loads of items stashed in your Dock, visually separating them into groups of related apps can be useful. Now we’ll delve into how to make it a little bit different… Add macOS Dock spacers If you do this, make sure to run killall cfprefsd right afterwords. Remember, if things go wrong, you can always restore the. If that happens, you can try running the killall cfprefsd command to update your Mac’s preferences database. Because of the way preferences work, you may find that some of these commands don’t get applied right away. Note that you’ll be using the killall Dock command often. Press Return and your Dock will be back as it was before you made any changes.

Then open Terminal, and use the following command to restart the Dock: killall Dock If you later want to restore this version of your Dock’s preferences, copy the file back to the aforementioned Preferences folder, replacing the one that’s there. (You can do this by Option-dragging it to another folder.) In the Finder window that appears, open the Preferences folder, and make a copy of. In Finder, hold Option and click Go, and then select Library. Back-up existing Dock settingsīefore making major changes to your Dock settings, back-up your existing ones, in case you want to put them back later. A few of these settings are, admittedly, little more than curiosities, but some make the Dock significantly more useful. But it turns out Apple only provides settings for some of the Dock’s tricks many are effectively hidden secrets.įortunately, you can get at these bonus extras by way of a quick trip to the Terminal app, and some deft typing – or by copying and pasting the various commands outlined below. How To Unlock the macOS Dock’s Hidden Secrets in TerminalĮlsewhere on this blog, we help you get to know your Mac’s Dock and discover its many options.

All mac terminal commands