The dock displays apps both added and launched. The currently running applications on your Mac can be viewed by clicking the Apple menu and selecting “Force Quit” followed by “Show Running Applications”.
The macOS Dock’s origins date back to the early OS precursors, NeXTStep and OpenStep, developed by NeXT Computer before its acquisition by Apple. In 1997, Apple acquired NeXT, a strategic move that brought NeXT’s innovative technologies and expertise under its umbrella.
Apple rebranded NeXTStep, releasing it as OpenStep in 1997, before subsequently merging its core with Mac OS 9’s options and file systems to create – in 2000.
Early variations of the two merged working techniques have been referred to as.
The NeXTSTEP operating system boasted a unique feature in the Dock, a compact bar that could be positioned at the edge of the screen. The Dock saves applications, data, files, and other system entities from the file system, providing convenient access through shortcut icons.
Dock adjustments
Over time, Apple has refined the Dock, enabling users to toggle its visibility, adjust its size and zoom level, and identify running applications. The majority of these adjustments will be made directly within the macOS app at present.
With this update, Apple allows users to further customize their experience by enabling the option to minimize Finder, app, and document windows to the Dock, contingent upon individual . The one feature the macOS Dock currently lacks from its NeXT predecessor is the ability to remove individual app icons by tearing them away from the dock tile, unlike the original NeXT Dock which allowed for this functionality.
You may flip this switch on. Enabled, the Dock can also display applications it recommends based on your preferences, alongside the most recently used apps.
You can also include file system objects such as folders, drive volumes, and aliases on the far left side of the Dock, preceding the small vertical divider where the Trash resides. To add a quantity or folder to the precise facet of the Dock, simply drag it there from the Finder.
When you hover over an item in the Dock and click on it with your mouse, you can instantly show the file or application it represents in the Finder, drag it off the Dock to remove it, or choose to have it open automatically when you log in. When you place a filesystem icon precisely on the Dock’s side, you can configure settings for Stacks and Folders, open it to customize sorting options, or remove it entirely?
Hidden options
The Dock’s various settings and hidden options are stored in a `.plist` preferences file, located on the Startup Disk at `/Library/Preferences/com.apple.dock.plist`. This location includes the current logged-in username, denoted by “person”. A .plist file is essentially a structured XML document that contains key-value pairs.
When you open com.apple.dock.plist in a text-based editor, you will gain insight into the file’s underlying structure, revealing its contents in an easily editable XML format. To open and edit a file in Xcode, you can simply select the project in the Project Navigator, which will display the file structure in the editor pane alongside.
When dealing with both scenarios, ensure that you set the file aside, reload the Dock by following the instructions below, and log back into your Mac.
When modifying the com.apple.dock.plist file, be cautious of the specific values you alter, as altering certain objects can potentially render the Dock unusable if set incorrectly. Before editing the com.apple.dock.plist file, make a secure backup copy of this vital configuration data, ensuring you can readily restore it if needed.
You can edit Dock options using the Terminal app’s command. To illustrate the functioning of defaults, simply execute the command `defaults` in your Terminal, followed by a colon (:) and then press Enter.
Pressing the enter key on my keyboard allows me to submit my response and move forward with our conversation. To exit the persona system, press the Esc key on your keyboard.
“Defaults” is an option for editing macOS’s preferences and settings through a command-line interface.
To modify a configuration option within system settings, typically one follows defaultsTo set or modify a configuration setting in your application, specify the area and setting identify, followed by a dot (.) and the desired value. For example, if you want to change the default font size for a specific area of your app, use the sub-command format “area.setting.value”.
To unveil all concealed details within the macOS Finder, simply execute the following command in Terminal:
defaults write com.apple.Finder AppleShowAllFiles true
There are various default instructions corresponding to specific actions. learn, delete, rename, and extra. Dump all of your settings in your computer by typing:
and urgent . Warning: Be cautious, as processing this data may cause a significant influx of information in your terminal.
You can also customize your Mac’s Dock by inserting blank spaces and organizing apps into logical categories. We will cover this in a future article.
When editing the `com.apple.dock.plist` file within the context of the Dock, or changing settings via the defaults system, you may need to restart the Dock. Users may log out and then log back in to ensure a seamless transition and maintain session continuity.
Logged in users can also leverage the use of temporary login credentials, such as single-use passwords or authenticator apps, to provide an additional layer of security for sensitive transactions. killall command in Terminal:
killall Dock and press .
Once the Finder has finished reloading the Dock, it immediately reads the com.apple.dock.plist file again and updates the Dock’s configuration to match.
By mid-2021, Apple introduced significant updates to its app review guidelines and safety requirements. In certain versions of macOS, the com.apple.dock.plist file may also be encrypted, adding an extra layer of security to user settings.
You’ll need to open it in Xcode to edit it? Before making any changes to the file, create a duplicate copy as a safeguard, and then thoroughly review each adjustment prior to removing the original backup.
To edit a file in Xcode, create a duplicate of the file on your desktop by right-clicking on the file in the Finder, selecting “Duplicate,” and then dragging and dropping it directly into the project navigator area within Xcode. Before you begin developing with Swift, you must obtain Xcode from the first.
Displaying solely operating apps
The dock can become unwieldy, often. If your digital workspace becomes cluttered with numerous objects and apps running simultaneously, you may find it increasingly challenging to locate the information you need.
In approximately 2018, Apple introduced a novel option in the com.apple.dock preferences: static-only. This setting controls whether standalone apps are displayed in the Dock when they are launched separately.
However Apple add the static-only Editing settings directly within the com.apple.dock.plist file itself. To effectively utilise this configuration, you and your colleagues must ensure that all relevant settings are properly aligned. write Terminal defaults are set using the `defaults` command; for instance, adding a new item to the dock would involve running `defaults write com.apple.dock persistent-items -array-add ‘{“put-your-item-here”}’`. Alternatively, you can configure this behavior by editing the com.apple.dock.plist file in Xcode.
static-only In computer science, a bit is a binary digit that represents either a 0 (false) or a 1 (true). Please provide the text you’d like me to improve, and I’ll respond with the revised text in a different style as a professional editor. If I’m unable to make any changes, my response will be “SKIP”. If the improvement is successful, I’ll simply return the revised text.
Waiting for your text…
The sorted array of strings appears directly in the Xcode console. Boolean YES To display only running applications on your Dock, excluding other items, follow these steps: static-only To set the Boolean value to YES and save the .plist file, follow these steps:
1. Open the property list file in a text editor or the Property List Editor application.
2. Find the key you want to modify and its associated value (which should be “NO” by default).
3. Replace the existing value (“NO”) with “YES”.
Restart the Dock, the Finder, and log back in to your Mac, or simply restart it.
To enrich the com.apple.dock.plist file within Xcode after opening it, follow these precise steps:
static-onlyBooleanYESTo save the file, back up the unique one from the Preferences folder in the Finder, and update the existing file with the fresh version, you may need to provide administrator credentials.
As soon as the brand-new file takes its place, you’ll need to log back in, restart the Dock, or simply reboot your Mac to ensure everything runs smoothly.
When you dock hundreds of applications, it will now display only your operating system’s native apps. To reverse the default setting and display the Dock typically, set static-only YES
If you’re not inclined to edit the .plist file directly, you can simply toggle the same setting using the defaults command in Terminal.
The Dock now displays only static icons.
defaults write com.apple.dock reset -bool true
After every command situation the killall Dock command once more and press :
Further cool .plist settings
The com.apple.dock.plist file contains additional attention-grabbing settings that
To quickly export your Dock settings to Terminal, simply run:
defaults learn com.apple.dock
By examining this information, one can identify the key setting names and their corresponding values for all current Dock configurations.
The Dock has remained a staple of the macOS experience since its introduction in 2000 as part of Mac OS X, and its roots can be traced back further to its inclusion in NeXT operating systems. While some customers may have mixed feelings about the dock, its versatility lies in its ability to be customized to meet individual needs, ensuring a lasting impression.
