---
tags:
  - macOS
  - Tahoe
  - defaults
  - terminal
  - customization
  - hidden-settings
title: Customizing Hidden Settings with Defaults on macOS Tahoe
---

# Customizing Hidden Settings with Defaults on macOS Tahoe

The `defaults` command allows you to access and modify the macOS user defaults system. Many applications and system components have configuration options that are not exposed in the standard "System Settings" or "Preferences" windows. You can unlock these hidden features using the terminal.

## Reading Settings

To see all the default settings for a specific application or domain, use `defaults read`.

**Syntax:**
```zsh
defaults read [domain]
```

**Example:** Read all Finder settings.
```zsh
defaults read com.apple.finder
```

To read a specific key within a domain:
```zsh
defaults read com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles
```

## Writing Settings

To change a setting, use `defaults write`. You need to know the domain, the key, and the type of value (string, boolean, integer, etc.).

**Syntax:**
```zsh
defaults write [domain] [key] -[type] [value]
```

*Note: Often the type is inferred, but for booleans, use `-bool`.*

### Common Examples

Here are some popular hidden settings you can enable.

#### 1. Show Hidden Files in Finder
By default, Finder hides system files (like `.gitignore` or `.zshrc`).

```zsh
defaults write com.apple.finder AppleShowAllFiles -bool true
```

#### 2. Change Screenshot Format
Screenshots are saved as PNGs by default. You can change this to JPG for smaller file sizes.

```zsh
defaults write com.apple.screencapture type jpg
```

#### 3. Remove the Dock Delay
Speed up the animation when showing/hiding the Dock.

```zsh
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-delay -float 0
defaults write com.apple.dock autohide-time-modifier -float 0
```

## Applying Changes

Most changes made with `defaults` do not take effect immediately. You usually need to restart the application or the specific system process.

To restart Finder:
```zsh
killall Finder
```

To restart the Dock:
```zsh
killall Dock
```

To restart the System UI (Menu Bar, etc.):
```zsh
killall SystemUIServer
```

## Deleting Settings

If you want to revert a setting to its factory default (or just remove your custom override), use `defaults delete`.

**Syntax:**
```zsh
defaults delete [domain] [key]
```

**Example:** Revert the screenshot format setting.
```zsh
defaults delete com.apple.screencapture type
```

For more on general terminal usage, refer to Getting Started with macOS Tahoe.