launchctl
TLDR
List loaded services
$ launchctl list
Load service$ launchctl load [/path/to/service.plist]
Unload service$ launchctl unload [/path/to/service.plist]
Start service$ launchctl start [com.example.service]
Stop service$ launchctl stop [com.example.service]
Bootstrap service (modern)$ launchctl bootstrap gui/[uid] [/path/to/service.plist]
Print service info$ launchctl print gui/[uid]/[com.example.service]
SYNOPSIS
launchctl subcommand [options]
DESCRIPTION
launchctl manages launchd services on macOS. It controls system and user daemons, handling service lifecycle, scheduling, and resource limits.
The tool replaces traditional init scripts on macOS, using property list (plist) files to define services.
PARAMETERS
list
List loaded services.load plist
Load service (deprecated).unload plist
Unload service (deprecated).start label
Start service.stop label
Stop service.bootstrap domain plist
Load service (modern).bootout domain plist
Unload service (modern).print target
Print service info.kickstart target
Force start service.enable/disable
Enable/disable service.
CAVEATS
macOS only. Modern subcommands differ from legacy. System services need root. GUI services need user domain.
HISTORY
launchctl is part of launchd, introduced in Mac OS X 10.4 Tiger (2005) by Apple. It replaced the traditional init, xinetd, and cron systems, unifying daemon management. Dave Zarzycki led its development.
SEE ALSO
launchd(8), launchd.plist(5), systemctl(1)
