install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%

brew install displayplacer

local Homebrew formula metadata

MacPortsverified · 94%

sudo port install displayplacer

MacPorts ports tree · sysutils/displayplacer/Portfile · source: api.github.com

overview

Package summary

Utility to configure multi-display resolutions and arrangements

Project links

Commands and aliases

displayplacer

history

Project history and usage

displayplacer is a macOS command-line utility for configuring multi-display resolutions, arrangements, mirroring, rotation, refresh rate, color depth, and enabled state. Upstream describes it as essentially an XRandR-like tool for macOS, which explains its strong appeal to users who script workstation layouts.

Project history

The GitHub repository was created in June 2015, with the first GitHub release listed as v1.0.0 in November 2018. Later releases include v1.4.0 in June 2023, when the README notes a backward-compatibility concern around changed `displayplacer list` output.

Adoption history

The README leads with Homebrew installation and release downloads, while the input package metadata also records MacPorts. Its adoption is tightly tied to macOS automation culture: shell scripts, hotkeys, Automator, BetterTouchTool, and repeatable monitor profiles.

How it is used

Users commonly run `displayplacer list` to print the current layout and supported modes, then reuse generated arguments in scripts to restore a known display arrangement. The README spends unusual space on screen ID stability because macOS can expose changing identifiers when external displays wake or reconnect.

Why package nerds care

displayplacer is a package-nerd favorite because it fills a native-platform gap with a single CLI. It turns GUI display state into reproducible command arguments, making macOS monitor layouts manageable by dotfiles, launchers, and package-installed tooling.

Timeline

2015-06: GitHub repository created
2018-11: v1.0.0 release published
2023-06: v1.4.0 release published

Related projects

Related tools and workflows include XRandR on Linux, macOS Displays settings, Automator, BetterTouchTool, and user scripts that compensate for changing monitor identifiers.

Sources

security posture

Risk level: green

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals.

Risk classifier

green risk · low confidence · appliance

Why

narrow executable package without higher-risk signals

Signals

metadata:no-higher-risk-signals

Install behavior

No Homebrew post-install hook is recorded in formula metadata.
Homebrew bottle metadata is available for 8 platform targets.

Recommended review

Before unattended agent use, check whether the tool reads plaintext credentials, writes remote state, publishes artifacts, or shells out to plugins.

executables

Installed executables

Command	Kind	Exposure	Note
`displayplacer`	cli	global executable

freshness

Version and freshness

These signals separate page generation age, package-manager activity, and upstream release comparison. Version lag is warned only when an evidence URL and comparable versions are present.

page generated2026-07-08

manager version1.4.0

manager updated

local dataok

upstreamcurrent

latest detectedv1.4.0

https://github.com/jakehilborn/displayplacer

infoNo package-manager update timestamp was available.low confidence

install metadata

Package metadata

Package key	brew:displayplacer
Version	1.4.0
Package manager	Homebrew
Package manager page	https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/displayplacer
Homepage	https://github.com/jakehilborn/displayplacer
Repository	https://github.com/jakehilborn/displayplacer
Upstream docs	https://github.com/jakehilborn/displayplacer#readme
License	MIT
Source archive	https://github.com/jakehilborn/displayplacer/archive/refs/tags/v1.4.0.tar.gz
Bottle	available (on arm64_monterey, arm64_sequoia, arm64_sonoma, arm64_tahoe, arm64_ventura, monterey, sonoma, ventura)
Homebrew post-install	not defined
Service	none declared

registry facts

Source database details

Source Database	Homebrew formula API
Tap	homebrew/core
Full Name	displayplacer
Version Scheme	0
Revision	0
Head Version	HEAD
Requirements	macos
Bottle Stable Root URL	https://ghcr.io/v2/homebrew/core
Deprecated	no
Disabled	no
Keg Only	no
URL Keys	head stable

source database matches

Other package-manager records

Matches are pulled from external package-manager indexes and kept separate from local Automic Vault package links.

MacPorts95%

displayplacer

sudo port install displayplacer

normalized package name match
Matched by: Displayplacer

MacPorts ports tree · api.github.com · MacPorts ports tree: sysutils/displayplacer/Portfile from https://api.github.com/repos/macports/macports-ports/git/trees/master?recursive=1

package graph

Links come from deterministic package relationships, av.db category and tag curation, ecosystem matches, and package hub membership.

source trail

Generated from repository data

This page is generated by av-web from the private package SQLite artifact built by scripts/generate-pkg-sqlite.py.

Combined YAML source

View the package source record on GitHub.

combined/displayplacer.yml

Used sources

Geiger risk classifier
Nucleus package database
av.db category and tag curation
cross-ecosystem install command graph
curated package history
external package-manager database matches
package relationship graph
package version freshness
package-page enrichment

Install displayplacer with Homebrew, MacPorts