Edward Kiledjian

The macOS Terminal is a treasure trove of hidden features and tools that can make your life easier—and sometimes just more entertaining. Whether you're a casual Mac user or a seasoned tech enthusiast, these 10 Terminal commands are worth trying out. From practical utilities to lighthearted fun, here's a roundup to explore.

1. Check Your Mac's Uptime

Ever wonder how long your Mac has been running without a reboot?

uptime

This command displays your Mac's uptime along with load averages. It's a great way to see how stable your system is or remind yourself when it's time to restart.

2. Speed Test Your Wi-Fi Connection

Test your internet speed directly in Terminal with this built-in command:

networkQuality

It provides both upload and download speed results and is useful for diagnosing Wi-Fi issues.

3. Create a Text File Without a Text Editor

Need a quick note but don't want to open an app? Use cat to create a file:

cat > filename.txt

Type your content, then press Control + D to save.

4. Play Star Wars in ASCII Art

Looking for some geeky entertainment? Watch Star Wars in ASCII art:

telnet towel.blinkenlights.nl

Press Control + C to exit when you're done.

5. Get Weather Information

Want a text-based weather forecast? Install curl (if not already available) and use this:

curl wttr.in

You'll see a compact, text-based weather report for your location.

6. Show Hidden Files in Finder

Easily toggle hidden files in Finder with this command:

defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true; killall Finder

Replace true with false to hide them again.

7. Say Command: Make Your Mac Talk

Want your Mac to speak something aloud? Use this:

say "Hello, I am your Mac."

You can even change the voice in System Preferences > Accessibility > Spoken Content.

8. Find the Largest Files on Your Mac

Running out of disk space? Find the biggest files quickly:

du -sh /* | sort -h

This lists your directories by size, helping you identify space hogs.

9. Caffeinate Your Mac

Prevent your Mac from sleeping during a long download or presentation:

caffeinate

Your Mac stays awake as long as this command runs. Press Control + C to stop it.

10. Turn Your Screen into a Retro Matrix Display

For a fun, movie-inspired Terminal effect, try this:

yes "$(printf '\033[32mThe Matrix has you...\033[0m')" | pv -qL 1200

Press Control + C to stop when you've channelled your inner Neo.

Bonus Tips for Terminal Use

1. Use clear to clean up your Terminal screen for a fresh start.
2. Press Command + K to clear your screen in macOS Terminal.
3. Use Tab for auto-completion of commands and file paths.

The macOS Terminal is a powerful tool that goes beyond these basics, offering endless possibilities for automation, troubleshooting, and entertainment. Try these commands today and see how they enhance your Mac experience!