launchctl

Launchctl is a command-line tool used in macOS and other Unix-like operating systems to manage system-wide and user-specific daemons, services, and processes. It is responsible for loading and unloading these services at designated times and managing the overall system's init and launch process. With launchctl, administrators can control the initialization and operation of Unix services, applications, and various background processes.

The tool helps maintain the stability, performance, and control of the system by executing and managing launchd, the system-wide process manager. Administrators can use launchctl to start, stop, or examine daemons and agents, enabling efficient management of system activities.

It supports various options and commands, including load to start a daemon, unload to stop a daemon, list to show active daemons, and remove to delete unwanted or unused services. Additionally, it allows for controlling the job scheduling, enabling delayed or periodic execution of jobs at specified times.

Launchctl plays a crucial role in maintaining the system's integrity, managing user-specific services, and providing flexible control over the initialization and management of various processes, boosting the overall efficiency of the operating system.