install

Additional install commands

macOS

Homebrewverified · 100%

brew install m-cli

local Homebrew formula metadata

Linux

Nixverified · 92%

nix profile install nixpkgs#m-cli

nixpkgs package indexes · pkgs/by-name/m-/m-cli/package.nix · source: api.github.com

overview

Package summary

Swiss Army Knife for macOS

Project links

Commands and aliases

m

history

Project history and usage

m-cli is a shell-based macOS command-line utility that describes itself as a Swiss Army Knife for macOS in the terminal. It wraps many common system administration and preference tasks behind a single `m` command.

Project history

The public GitHub repository was created in July 2016 and is maintained as a small Unix-style command suite. Its README emphasizes macOS-only system control, no third-party dependencies, a simple manual install path, and Homebrew installation.

The project underwent a notable 2.0 syntax change: the changelog records a move from positional plugin subcommands such as `m bluetooth on` to option-based forms such as `m bluetooth --enable`, alongside generated shell completions.

Adoption history

m-cli has become a recognizable macOS package-manager utility: the repository shows thousands of GitHub stars and hundreds of forks, while the input package facts list both Homebrew and Nix packaging.

Its appeal is strongest among macOS users who prefer scriptable terminal access to system settings that are otherwise spread across System Settings, Apple tools, and small command-line utilities.

How it is used

Users install it with Homebrew as `brew install m-cli` or manually with the upstream install script, then run `m` to list commands or `m <command> --help` for command-specific usage.

The command set covers macOS areas such as AirDrop, Bluetooth, display, DNS, Dock, Finder, firewall, Gatekeeper, network, power, printers, services, users, VPN, volume, wallpaper, and Wi-Fi. Some commands need sudo privileges or macOS privacy permissions.

Why package nerds care

For package-maintainer audiences, m-cli is an example of a Homebrew-friendly macOS wrapper that packages many native system toggles as small shell plugins rather than as a daemon or GUI app.

The 2.x syntax shift matters because it changed scripting compatibility while making completions easier to keep in sync with plugin help output.

Timeline

2016: Public GitHub repository created
2026: v2.0.9 released with restart and completion fixes
2026: GitHub repository metadata shows roughly 9.9k stars and 318 forks

Related projects

Homebrew packages m-cli for macOS users who want the stable packaged command.
Nix also packages m-cli according to the supplied package-manager facts.
The upstream README points users to related macOS command-line projects such as iproute-mac.

Sources

https://api.github.com/repos/rgcr/m-cli
https://github.com/rgcr/m-cli
https://github.com/rgcr/m-cli/blob/main/CHANGELOG.md
source_facts.package-manager

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 1 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
`m`	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 version2.0.9

manager updated2026-06-02

local dataok

upstreamcurrent

latest detectedv2.0.9

https://github.com/rgcr/m-cli

okNo freshness warnings were generated.

install metadata

Package metadata

Package key	brew:m-cli
Version	2.0.9
Package manager	Homebrew
Package manager page	https://formulae.brew.sh/formula/m-cli
Homepage	https://github.com/rgcr/m-cli
Repository	https://github.com/rgcr/m-cli
Upstream docs	https://github.com/rgcr/m-cli#readme
License	MIT
Source archive	https://github.com/rgcr/m-cli/archive/refs/tags/v2.0.9.tar.gz
Last updated	2026-06-02T20:02:01Z
Pulse	updated
Bottle	available (on all)
Homebrew post-install	not defined
Service	none declared

registry facts

Source database details

Source Database	Homebrew formula API
Tap	homebrew/core
Full Name	m-cli
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.

Nix95%

m-cli

nix profile install nixpkgs#m-cli

normalized package name match
Matched by: M Cli

nixpkgs package indexes · api.github.com · nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/m-/m-cli/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/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/m-cli.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 m-cli with Homebrew, Nix