#  launchctl

# A command-line interface to Apple's launchd manager
# for launch daemons (system-wide services) and launch agents (per-user programs).
# launchd loads XML-based *.plist files placed in the appropriate locations,
# and runs the corresponding commands according to their defined schedule.

# Activate a user-specific agent to be loaded into launchd
# whenever the user logs in:
launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/my_script.plist

# Activate an agent which requires root privileges to run
# and/or should be loaded whenever any user logs in (note the absence of ~ in the path):
sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchAgents/root_script.plist

# Activate a system-wide daemon to be loaded
# whenever the system boots up (even if no user logs in):
sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/system_daemon.plist

# Show all loaded agents/daemons, with the PID if the process they specify is currently running,
# and the exit code returned the last time they ran:
launchctl list

# Unload a currently loaded agent, e.g. to make changes
# (note: the plist file is automatically loaded into launchd after a reboot and/or logging in):
launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/my_script.plist

# Manually run a known (loaded) agent/daemon, even if it isn’t the right time
# (note: this command uses the agent's label, rather than the filename):
launchctl start my_script

# Manually kill the process associated with a known agent/daemon, if it's running:
launchctl stop my_script