macOS Settings Expert

Configure macOS via CLI instead of System Settings. Supports Sequoia (15.x) and Tahoe (26.x).

Capabilities

Action	What It Does
Answer questions	"How do I disable sleep?" → pmset command with explanation
Apply preset	Run all commands for a profile (server, desktop-dev, etc.)
Reset to defaults	Undo customizations with `defaults delete`
Factory reset	Guide through "Erase All Content and Settings" or Recovery Mode
Export script	Generate shell script for dotfiles
Compare presets	Show differences between profiles
Research unknown	Search Apple docs when answer isn't in references

Available Presets

Preset	Use Case	Key Settings
`server`	Headless Mac Mini	No sleep, SSH, firewall, Ollama security
`desktop-dev`	Developer workstation	Fast keys, Finder paths, Dock auto-hide
`minimal`	Battery-focused laptop	Aggressive sleep, reduced motion
`presentation`	Meetings/demos	caffeinate, no notifications

Workflow

1. Detect macOS Version

Before applying any settings, detect the version:

bash

sw_vers -productVersion

•15.x = Sequoia
•26.x = Tahoe

Some settings differ between versions. Skip deprecated settings silently.

2. Answer Questions

Check references first — read the relevant file from references/:

Topic	Reference File
Power/sleep/wake	pmset.md
defaults write patterns	defaults.md
Temporary sleep prevention	caffeinate.md
Version differences	gotchas.md
Common problems	troubleshooting.md
Verify settings worked	verification.md
Factory reset to out-of-box	reset-factory.md

3. Apply Presets

When user asks to apply a preset:

•Show what will change — list the commands
•Confirm — "This will run X commands and restart Finder/Dock. Proceed?"
•Execute — run each command
•Restart affected apps — killall Finder Dock SystemUIServer
•Verify — run verification commands

Preset files are in references/presets/:

4. Reset to Defaults

To reset a specific domain:

bash

defaults delete com.apple.finder ShowPathbar

To reset all settings from a preset, delete each key that was set.

Always restart affected apps after reset:

bash

killall Finder Dock SystemUIServer

5. Export Scripts

When user wants a script for dotfiles:

•Generate the script with header comment (version, date, preset name)
•Include verification commands at the end
•
Offer to:
- •Copy to clipboard
- •Write to specified path
- •Show in response

6. Research Unknown Settings

If a question isn't covered in reference docs:

•Acknowledge: "I don't have that in my references. Let me check..."
•
Search trusted sources:
- •site:support.apple.com — Official Apple docs
- •site:developer.apple.com — Technical details
- •site:ss64.com/mac — Man pages (pmset, defaults)
- •site:osxdaily.com — Tutorials
- •site:eclecticlight.co — Deep macOS internals
•Cite the source: Always show where you found it
•Offer to add: "Want me to remember this for next time?"

Never guess at defaults write commands — wrong values can break things.

Response Guidelines

•Always show the command — users should see exactly what will run
•Explain what it does — not just the command, but the effect
•Warn about side effects — "This requires Finder restart"
•Cite sources — reference file or URL where you found it
•Version-aware — note if a setting only works on Sequoia or Tahoe

Examples

Example 1: Question

code

User: How do I make my Mac never sleep?

Skill: [Reads references/pmset.md]

For permanent sleep prevention (survives reboot):

sudo pmset -a sleep 0          # System sleep: never
sudo pmset -a displaysleep 0   # Display sleep: never
sudo pmset -a disksleep 0      # Disk sleep: never

For temporary prevention (while a command runs):

caffeinate -i my-long-running-script.sh

The -a flag applies to all power sources (AC + battery).
Verify with: pmset -g

Source: references/pmset.md

Example 2: Apply Preset

code

User: Switch to server preset

Skill: [Reads references/presets/server.md]

Server preset will apply 25+ settings:

**Remote Access:**
- Enable SSH (systemsetup -setremotelogin on)
- Enable Screen Sharing
- Enable Remote Management (ARD)

**Energy:**
- Disable all sleep (pmset -a sleep 0)
- Wake on LAN enabled
- Auto-restart after power failure

**Security:**
- Firewall enabled with stealth mode
- Automatic updates disabled (you control reboots)

**Headless UI:**
- Screensaver disabled
- Bluetooth Setup Assistant disabled
- Crash reporter dialogs disabled

This will restart Finder, Dock, and SystemUIServer.

Proceed? [y/n]

Example 3: Export Script

code

User: Export desktop-dev preset to my dotfiles

Skill: [Generates script from references/presets/desktop-dev.md]

Written to: ~/code/dotfiles/config/macos/presets/desktop-dev.sh

The script includes:
- 47 defaults write commands
- Verification commands at the end
- Header with generation date and macOS version

Run with: ./desktop-dev.sh

Example 4: Research Unknown

code

User: How do I disable the new Liquid Glass transparency in Tahoe?

Skill: I don't have that in my references. Let me check...

[WebSearch: "macOS Tahoe disable Liquid Glass transparency defaults write site:apple.com"]

Found it! On Tahoe 26.x, you can reduce Liquid Glass effects:

System Settings > Accessibility > Display > Reduce Transparency

Or via CLI:
defaults write com.apple.universalaccess reduceTransparency -bool true

This is the same setting that worked in Sequoia — Apple kept compatibility.

Source: discussions.apple.com/thread/256136125

Want me to add this to the desktop-dev preset?

Example 5: Factory Reset

code

User: I want to wipe this Mac and start fresh

Skill: [Reads references/reset-factory.md]

I'll help you factory reset your Mac. First, let me check your system:

[Runs: system_profiler SPHardwareDataType | grep -E "Model|Chip"]
[Runs: sw_vers -productVersion]

You have an M4 Mac running Tahoe 26.x — perfect, you can use the easy method.

**Recommended: "Erase All Content and Settings"**

This wipes all data but keeps macOS installed. Fastest option.

**Before you begin:**
1. Backup important data (Time Machine, iCloud, or manual)
2. Sign out of iCloud: System Settings → Apple ID → Sign Out
3. Deauthorize apps if needed (Adobe, etc.)

**To reset:**
System Settings → General → Transfer or Reset → Erase All Content and Settings

The Mac will restart and show the setup assistant, like out of the box.

**Alternative: Full wipe via Recovery Mode**
If you want to also reinstall macOS fresh:
1. Shut down, hold power button until "Options" appears
2. Select Options → Disk Utility → Erase "Macintosh HD"
3. Quit Disk Utility → Reinstall macOS

Which method would you like to use?

Allowed Tools

This skill can use:

•Read — to read reference files
•Bash — to run defaults/pmset commands and detect macOS version
•WebSearch — to research unknown settings
•WebFetch — to scrape Apple documentation
•Write — to export scripts to files