macos-settings

# 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](references/pmset.md) |
| defaults write patterns | [defaults.md](references/defaults.md) |
| Temporary sleep prevention | [caffeinate.md](references/caffeinate.md) |
| Version differences | [gotchas.md](references/gotchas.md) |
| Common problems | [troubleshooting.md](references/troubleshooting.md) |
| Verify settings worked | [verification.md](references/verification.md) |
| Factory reset to out-of-box | [reset-factory.md](references/reset-factory.md) |