# Install m-cli with Homebrew, Nix Swiss Army Knife for macOS. Version 2.0.9 via Homebrew; verified 2026-06-02. ## Install ```sh sudo av install brew:m-cli ``` Additional install commands: ### macOS - Homebrew (100%): ```sh brew install m-cli ``` Evidence: local Homebrew formula metadata ### Linux - Nix (92%): ```sh nix profile install nixpkgs#m-cli ``` Evidence: 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 facts - **Package key:** brew:m-cli - **Package manager:** Homebrew - **Package manager page:** - **Version:** 2.0.9 - **Source summary:** Swiss Army Knife for macOS - **Homepage:** - **Repository:** - **Upstream docs:** - **License:** MIT - **Source archive:** - **Last updated:** 2026-06-02T20:02:01Z - **Generated:** 2026-07-08T07:18:31+00:00 ## Executables - m (cli) - m (alias) ## Install behavior - Post-install hook: not defined - Bottle: available on all ## Freshness - Page generated: 2026-07-08 - Package-manager version: 2.0.9 - Package-manager updated: 2026-06-02 - Local data: ok - Upstream repository: https://github.com/rgcr/m-cli - Upstream latest detected: v2.0.9 (current) ## 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 --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 - - - - source_facts.package-manager ## Security Notes narrow executable package without higher-risk signals. - **Geiger risk:** green / low - narrow executable package without higher-risk signals ## 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:** - **Deprecated:** no - **Disabled:** no - **Keg Only:** no - **URL Keys:** head, stable ## Other Package-Manager Records - Nix - m-cli: normalized package name match | nixpkgs package indexes: pkgs/by-name/m-/m-cli/package.nix from https://api.github.com/repos/NixOS/nixpkgs/git/trees/master?recursive=1 ## Related links - [Source-control packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/source-control-tools/) - Belongs to a source-control command family. - [Terminal utility packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/terminal-utilities/) - Matched terminal and command-line workflow metadata. - [Networking and protocol packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/networking-protocol-tools/) - Matched network, protocol, or remote-service metadata. - [Productivity CLI packages](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/productivity-cli-packages/) - Matched curated productivity category metadata from av.db. - [m4](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/m4/) - Package name indicates the same formula family. - [launch](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/launch/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system, system-utility. - [mist-cli](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/mist-cli/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system, system-utility. - [dark-mode](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/dark-mode/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system. - [defaultbrowser](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/defaultbrowser/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system. - [devcockpit](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/devcockpit/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system. - [fileicon](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/fileicon/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system. - [infat](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/infat/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system. - [mas](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/mas/) - Shares av.db curated category or tags: cli, macos, system. - [brightness](https://www.automicvault.com/pkg/brew/brightness/) - Local package facts share a topical domain. Shared terms: cli, macos, system, system-utility. ## Combined YAML source View the package source record on GitHub. [combined/m-cli.yml](https://github.com/automic-vault/db/blob/main/combined/m-cli.yml) ## Sources - Nucleus package database - Geiger risk classifier - package-page enrichment - curated package history - package version freshness - av.db category and tag curation - package relationship graph - external package-manager database matches - cross-ecosystem install command graph