launchctl - load or unload daemons with launchd — by SS64.com

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Reference for launchctl including the modern bootstrap and bootout subcommands, which replace the legacy load and unload and generally avoid sudo for user agents. Shows print, bootstrap gui/<uid> and bootout examples.

Quick steps

launchctl bootstrap gui/<uid> <plist>
launchctl bootout gui/<uid> <plist>

Paraphrased from the source. Menus can differ by version, so check the original for full details.

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Source: launchctl - load or unload daemons with launchd by SS64.com. Licence: Link only (©).

Source reviewed: 2026-11-02
Link checked: 2026-11-02
Tested hands-on: Not by Oddbyte.Me

launchctllaunchdmacosterminal

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