setfile

The setfile command is a command line tool available on macOS. It is used to set or change various extended attributes and metadata of files or directories. It enables the modification of a file's visibility, creation date, modification date, and other attributes.

With the setfile command, you can hide files or directories from being displayed in Finder or other file browsers while still being accessible through the command line. It also allows you to change the type and creator of a file, which can affect how applications handle and process the file.

Additionally, setfile can modify the file's quarantine status, which is used to determine if a file is potentially harmful or not. You can also set or modify file flags such as the immutable or append-only flags, which can restrict modifications or deletions of files.

This command is especially useful for system administrators and advanced users who require fine-grained control over file attributes. However, it should be used with caution as modifying attributes without proper understanding can lead to unexpected behavior or loss of data.