The Best 9 Command Line Tools for Mac – Simplifying Your Workflow

Throughout the years, Mac’s command line interface has presented users with a sense of unease, for the average user, the terminal remains an under-utilized tool in their day-to-day workflow. However, mastering terminal commands is essential for any Mac user, especially for those who work in fields such as development, system administration, and network engineering. MacOS, Apple’s operating system, comes with pre-installed applications and utilities that can be run directly from the command line interface, increasing productivity and saving time while simplifying your workflow and providing greater control over your operating system. In this blog post, we will explore the best command line tools for macOS, which can improve your workflow and increase productivity.

Video Tutorial:

What is a command line tool?

A command line tool is simply a program that can be run from the terminal, the interface in which you can input textual commands to interact with your operating system or a program, performing various actions to achieve a specific task. Command line tools come in handy because they allow users to complete specific tasks and work on their computers quickly. In addition, command line tools provide greater control over your operating system and allow you to automate processes, increasing productivity and saving time. In the following sections, we will introduce the best command line tools for macOS users, and analyze their pros and cons, allowing you to choose the perfect tool to streamline your workflow.

Top 9 Best Command Line Tools for Mac

1. Homebrew

Homebrew is a package manager that allows you to download, install, and manage various applications, libraries, and dependencies on your Mac from the command line interface. Homebrew comes with a list of over 3,000 available software packages, which you can install directly from the terminal, making it an essential tool for Mac users who work in development. One of the most significant advantages of Homebrew is that it automatically tracks and manages any dependencies required by the packages you want to install, saving you time and reducing the likelihood of errors. Homebrew is also open-source, meaning anyone can contribute to making it better.

Pros:

• Free and Open Source
• Easy to Install and Use
• Over 3,000 packages available
• Tracks dependencies and manages updates

Cons:

• Security concerns
• Some installs can take longer than expected
• Homebrew is not officially supported by Apple

2. iTerm2

iTerm2 is a replacement for the default Terminal app on macOS. iTerm2 provides several features that the default terminal lacks, such as split panes, autocomplete, and the ability to undo actions. iTerm2 also includes a range of customizable color schemes, allowing users to choose the look and feel that best fits their workflow.

Pros:

• Free and Open Source
• Easy to Install and Use
• Highly customizable
• Includes several features that the default terminal app lacks

Cons:

• Requires macOS 10.12 or later to run
• Some users may not require additional features
• May require some configuration to fully fit your workflow

3. Amphetamine

Amphetamine is a command line tool that prevents your Mac from going to sleep. Amphetamine is a simple tool that runs in the background and can be configured to prevent your Mac from sleeping while specific apps are open, customizable schedules, or simply disable the sleep function altogether.

Pros:

• Free and Open Source
• Easy to Install and Use
• Customizable settings
• Saves time for users who frequently switch between applications or require their Mac not to sleep

Cons:

• May cause additional wear and tear to your hardware
• Runs in the background, consuming system resources
• Some users may not require a tool that prevents sleep

4. VisiData

VisiData is a command line tool that allows users to manipulate and analyze data in a terminal-based interface. VisiData can open and parse various file types, from CSV to Excel, and provides users with extensive functionality to manipulate and analyze data. With a simple command, users can sort, filter, and merge data, making VisiData an essential tool for data analysis.

Pros:

• Free and Open Source
• Supports multiple file types
• Extensive functionality to manipulate and analyze data
• Easy to integrate into your workflow with just a few keystrokes / commands

Cons:

• Can be intimidating for users who are not familiar with data programming concepts
• Learning curve for users who are not familiar with data programming
• May not be necessary for users who do not work with data

5. Automator

Automator is an automation tool built into macOS that allows users to automate repetitive tasks. Automator provides a graphical interface that allows users to create custom workflows or actions, which can then be triggered from the command line interface or via a keyboard shortcut. Automator is an essential tool for those who frequently perform the same tasks and want to automate them, such as renaming files or resizing images.

Pros:

• Free and Integrated with macOS
• User-friendly interface
• Easy to automate repetitive tasks
• Allows you to create custom workflows and actions

Cons:

• May not be suitable for advanced automation tasks
• Some tasks may require additional scripts or programming languages to automate
• Somewhat limited compared to other automation tools

6. tmux

tmux is a terminal multiplexer that allows users to switch between multiple terminal sessions within a single window, making it an essential tool for those who work with multiple terminal windows open. tmux provides users with functionality to detach and reattach sessions, customize their terminal windows, and create custom key-bindings, providing greater control over terminal sessions.

Pros:

• Free and Open Source
• Highly customizable
• Allows users to switch between multiple terminal sessions within a single window
• Provides greater control over terminal sessions

Cons:

• Learning curve for users who are new to terminal multiplexers
• Customization may require additional configuration
• May not be necessary for users who work with only one terminal window at a time

7. htop

htop is a process monitoring tool that provides a real-time visualization of system processes, making it easier to diagnose system issues or locate resource-intensive processes. htop provides users with functionality to filter by process name or user, sort processes by CPU and memory usage, and kill processes directly from the command line interface.

Pros:

• Free and Open Source
• Easy to Install and Use
• Provides real-time visualization of system processes
• Allows users to filter, sort, and kill processes directly from the command line interface

Cons:

• May not be necessary for users who do not require process monitoring
• Limited functionality compared to other process monitoring tools
• Learning curve for users who are new to process monitoring

8. exa

exa is a modern replacement for the default ls command on macOS. exa provides users with color-coded output, extra file metadata, and the ability to filter and sort files based on multiple criteria. exa also provides users with functionality to display Git status, making it an essential tool for developers who work with Git repositories.

Pros:

• Free and Open Source
• Easy to Install and Use
• Modern replacement for the default ls command
• Provides users with additional functionality, including Git status display

Cons:

• Users may not require additional features other than the default ls command
• Learning curve for users who are not familiar with CLI file management concepts
• May require some customization to fully fit your workflow

9. fasd

fasd is a command line tool that allows users to quickly navigate to frequently used files and directories on their Mac. fasd tracks frequently used files and directories automatically, providing users with quick access to frequently visited locations by typing only a few characters.

Pros:

• Free and Open Source
• Easy to Install and Use
• Intuitive and effortless navigation
• Provides quick access to frequently used files and directories

Cons:

• Users may prefer using Finder or other visual tools for navigation
• In some cases, users may prefer more customized solutions for navigation
• May not be necessary for users who do not require frequent navigation between directories and files

Comprehensive Comparison of Each Software:

Our Thoughts

The command line interface is a powerful and ubiquitous tool, which can be both intimidating and challenging for beginners. However, mastering terminal commands is essential for anyone who wants to increase their productivity and streamline their workflow. The best command line tools for macOS, such as Homebrew, iTerm2, and Automator, provide users with extensive functionality to manage, automate, and analyze data, providing greater control over their operating system. Along with more specialized tools such as VisiData, htop, tmux, exa, and fasd, users can optimize their workflow and increase productivity while saving time. Regardless of your level of expertise, incorporating command line tools into your workflow is essential for anyone who wants to get the most out of their Mac.

FAQs

Q1: What is a terminal emulator?

A: A terminal emulator is a piece of software that allows you to access the command line interface. Terminal emulators provide users with a graphical interface to input textual commands and interact with their operating system.

Q2: How do I know which terminal commands to use?

A: The easiest way to get started with terminal commands is to use built-in commands in macOS. You can find a list of available commands by typing "man" followed by the command name into the terminal.

Q3: Can I customize the look and feel of the terminal interface?

A: Yes, several terminal emulators and themes can be customized to fit your workflow, providing a range of features such as color schemes, split panes, autocomplete, and the ability to undo actions.

Q4: Are command line tools safe to use?

A: Command line tools are generally safe to use, and most are open-source, meaning the code has been reviewed and approved by a community of users and developers. However, as with any piece of software, it’s recommended that you download and install them from reputable sources to minimize the risk of malware and viruses.

Q5: Do I need to be a developer to use command line tools?

A: No, command line tools can be used by anyone who wants to increase their productivity and streamline their workflow. While some tools are more technical and require some scripting or programming knowledge, many can be used by beginners with minimal experience.

Final Thoughts

Command line tools are essential for any Mac user that wants greater control over their operating system and to increase productivity while saving time. Homebrew, iTerm2, Automator, VisiData, htop, tmux, exa, and fasd, which we covered in this blog post, are just a few of the hundreds of tools available to Mac users. Incorporating these tools into your workflow can streamline your work and optimize productivity, regardless of your experience level. Mastering terminal commands may take time and require some effort, but it’s an investment that will pay off tremendously in the long run.