OptiMac-Intel

CLI-based macOS optimization tool for Intel Macs

A comprehensive command-line system optimization suite designed specifically for Intel-based MacBooks. This is the CLI version of the OptiMac application, offering powerful system tuning, maintenance, and monitoring capabilities through an interactive terminal interface.

Important Notice

This tool is designed exclusively for Intel-based Macs. If you have an Apple Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3), please use the appropriate version.

Features

System Optimizations

• Performance Tuning: Optimize kernel parameters for improved system responsiveness
• Memory Management: Advanced memory optimization and purging
• SSD Optimization: TRIM support and hibernation management
• Security Hardening: Firewall configuration and system security enhancements

Network Optimizations

• TCP/IP Stack Tuning: Optimize network parameters for better throughput
• DNS Management: Fast DNS cache flushing
• Firewall Control: Easy firewall enable/disable functionality

Storage Optimizations

• Cache Clearing: System and user cache cleanup
• Language Files: Remove unused language resources
• Font Cache: Rebuild and optimize font caches
• Metadata Cleanup: Remove .DS_Store files recursively

Performance Tweaks

• Spotlight Control: Disable/enable system indexing
• Animation Removal: Eliminate UI animations for faster response
• Dashboard Management: Disable legacy Dashboard
• Dock Optimization: Remove Dock animations

Maintenance Tools

• Disk Permissions: Verify and repair disk permissions
• Maintenance Scripts: Run daily/weekly/monthly maintenance
• System Logs: Clear old log files
• SMC Reset: Guided SMC reset instructions

Power Management

• Power Settings: Optimize sleep and wake behaviors
• Low Power Mode: Toggle power saving features
• AutoBoot Control: Manage automatic boot on lid open (Intel only)

System Monitoring

• CPU Information: Detailed processor stats
• Memory Status: Real-time RAM usage
• GPU Details: Graphics card information
• Battery Health: Cycle count and battery condition
• Disk Usage: Storage space monitoring
• Network Status: Active network interfaces
• Temperature Sensors: Hardware temperature monitoring (requires iStats)

Advanced Features

• Multi-Select Interface: Choose multiple optimizations per section (e.g., A,C to run options A and C)
• State Tracking: Persistent logging of all optimizations with timestamps
• MDM Detection: Check for Mobile Device Management enrollment
• Flexible Input: Supports both comma-separated and space-separated selections

Installation

Quick Install

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/VonKleistL/OptiMac-Intel.git

# Navigate to the directory
cd OptiMac-Intel

# Make the script executable
chmod +x optimac.sh

# Run the optimizer
./optimac.sh

System Requirements

• macOS: 10.13 High Sierra or later
• Architecture: Intel x86_64 only
• Privileges: Sudo access required for most optimizations
• Shell: Bash 3.2 or later (default on macOS)

Usage

Basic Usage

./optimac.sh

The script will present an interactive menu with the following sections:

1. System Optimizations - Core system performance tuning
2. Network Optimizations - Network stack enhancements
3. Storage Optimizations - Disk and cache management
4. Performance Tweaks - UI and system responsiveness
5. Maintenance - System maintenance tasks
6. Power Management - Battery and power settings
7. Check System Status - Comprehensive system information
8. View All Optimization States - Review optimization history
9. Reset All Optimizations - Clear optimization state tracking
10. Check MDM Status - Detect MDM enrollment

Multi-Select Feature

When entering any optimization section, you can select multiple options using letters:

Select optimizations to run (e.g., A,C or A C):
A. Optimize System Performance
B. Optimize Memory Management
C. Optimize SSD Settings
D. Optimize Security
0. Cancel

Enter your selections: A,C

Supported input formats:

• A,C (comma-separated)
• A C (space-separated)
• a c (lowercase works too)
• A, C (mixed with spaces)

Configuration File

Optimization states are tracked in ~/.macbook_optimizer_state.conf

Format: feature=status|timestamp

Example:

system_performance=enabled|2025-12-13 13:45:22
memory_management=enabled|2025-12-13 13:45:35
ssd_optimization=failed|2025-12-13 13:46:10

Examples

Quick Performance Boost

1. Run the script: ./optimac.sh
2. Select 4. Performance Tweaks
3. Enter A,B,C,D to disable all animations and UI delays
4. Return to main menu and select 1. System Optimizations
5. Enter A,B for performance and memory optimization

Network Speed Enhancement

1. Run the script
2. Select 2. Network Optimizations
3. Enter A to optimize TCP/IP settings
4. Select C to enable firewall if needed

Complete System Cleanup

1. Run the script
2. Select 3. Storage Optimizations
3. Enter A,C,D to clear caches and metadata
4. Select 5. Maintenance
5. Enter B,C to run maintenance scripts and clear logs

Battery Life Extension

1. Run the script
2. Select 6. Power Management
3. Enter A,B to optimize power settings and enable low power mode

Safety Features

• State Tracking: All operations logged with success/failure status
• Reversible: Many optimizations can be undone by re-running
• Permission Checks: Validates write access before operations
• Confirmation: Displays what will be executed before running
• Error Handling: Comprehensive error messages and recovery

Troubleshooting

Config File Permission Errors

If you encounter permission issues:

chmod 644 ~/.macbook_optimizer_state.conf

Or delete and recreate:

rm ~/.macbook_optimizer_state.conf
./optimac.sh  # Will recreate automatically

Sudo Password Prompts

Most optimizations require admin privileges. You'll be prompted for your password when needed.

Failed Optimizations

Check the status log:

cat ~/.macbook_optimizer_state.conf

View specific feature status in the script's menu option 8.

Temperature Monitoring

If temperature monitoring fails, install iStats:

sudo gem install iStats

Uninstallation

To remove all traces:

# Remove the configuration file
rm ~/.macbook_optimizer_state.conf

# Remove the script directory
cd .. && rm -rf OptiMac-Intel

Note: System changes made by optimizations will persist. To revert:

• Re-enable features (Spotlight, Dashboard, etc.) through System Preferences
• Restart your Mac to reset kernel parameters to defaults

Contributing

Contributions welcome! Please:

1. Fork the repository
2. Create a feature branch (git checkout -b feature/amazing-optimization)
3. Commit your changes (git commit -m 'Add amazing optimization')
4. Push to the branch (git push origin feature/amazing-optimization)
5. Open a Pull Request

Compatibility Notes

Intel-Specific Features

• AutoBoot control (NVRAM-based)
• SMC reset procedures
• Some hardware-specific optimizations

Not Compatible With

• Apple Silicon Macs (M1/M2/M3)
• macOS versions earlier than 10.13
• Non-Mac Unix systems

Warnings

Use at your own risk. While all optimizations are tested, system changes can have unintended effects.

Backup your data before running aggressive optimizations.

Some optimizations require a restart to take full effect.

MDM-enrolled devices may have restrictions that prevent certain optimizations.

Related Projects

• OptiMac - Full-featured GUI version for macOS
• OptiMac-Silicon - Optimized for Apple Silicon Macs

License

MIT License - see LICENSE file for details

Acknowledgments

Built with extensive research into macOS system internals and optimization techniques. Special thanks to the macOS developer community for documentation and best practices.

Support

For issues, questions, or suggestions:

• Open an issue on GitHub
• Check existing issues for solutions
• Review the troubleshooting section

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Made for Intel Mac users who want maximum performance from their machines.