macOS command-line tools you might not know about (saurabhs.org)

Article summary

The article discusses various macOS command-line tools that provide unique functionality, including caffeinate, pbcopy, networkQuality, and sips. These tools can be used for tasks such as preventing sleep, copying output to the clipboard, running Internet speed tests, and resizing images. The article also mentions other tools like mdfind, textutil, and system_profiler, which can be used for searching, converting file formats, and printing system information. The tools are part of the macOS Unix toolkit and can be used to automate tasks and improve productivity.

Main themes

• macOS command-line tools
• productivity
• network testing
• image manipulation
• clipboard management
• workflow automation
• alternative tools
• network quality measurement

What commenters say

• The networkQuality tool is a useful replacement for traditional speed tests, but its methodology may not accurately reflect real-world network performance.
• Some users find the networkQuality tool to be inaccurate, grossly underestimating their upload bandwidth.
• The sips tool is a powerful utility for image manipulation, and its ability to crop images is particularly useful.
• The pbcopy and pbpaste tools are essential for working with the clipboard in the terminal, and their functionality can be replicated on Linux using tools like xsel or xclip.
• The use of service menu actions can simplify workflows and improve productivity, but their discoverability can be an issue.
• Some users prefer to use alternative tools, such as jq or python, for tasks like JSON formatting and manipulation.
• The networkQuality tool's ability to test both upload and download speeds simultaneously is a unique feature that can provide a more accurate measure of network quality.
• The tool's methodology is based on a proposed standard that is gaining support, and it can be used to identify issues with network flow control.