Expert guidance for configuring macOS settings via CLI (pmset, defaults, scutil, caffeinate). Covers Sequoia (15.x) and Tahoe (26.x) with presets for server, desktop-dev, minimal, and presentation modes. Can apply presets, reset to defaults, factory reset guidance, export scripts, and research unknown settings from official sources.
View on GitHubnathanvale/side-quest-marketplace
macos-settings
February 4, 2026
Select agents to install to:
npx add-skill https://github.com/nathanvale/side-quest-marketplace/blob/main/plugins/macos-settings/skills/macos-settings/SKILL.md -a claude-code --skill macos-settingsInstallation paths:
.claude/skills/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) |