macos-launchd

Purpose

This skill manages macOS launchd services, including LaunchDaemons and LaunchAgents, for tasks like running background processes, handling login items, and setting up the OpenClaw gateway service. It focuses on creating, loading, and controlling services via plist files and launchctl.

When to Use

Use this skill when you need to automate macOS services, such as starting a script on system boot (LaunchDaemon), running an app on user login (LaunchAgent), or ensuring the OpenClaw gateway service persists across reboots. Apply it for system-level tasks requiring persistence or for integrating OpenClaw with macOS environments.

Key Capabilities

• Create and edit plist files for LaunchDaemons/Agents, specifying keys like Label, ProgramArguments, and RunAtLoad.
• Load/unload services using launchctl to control execution.
• Manage login items via System Events in AppleScript or launchctl equivalents.
• Integrate with OpenClaw by configuring a service that runs the gateway, using environment variables for authentication like $OPENCLAW_API_KEY.
• Handle service states, such as enabling/disabling, and monitor logs via Console.app.

Usage Patterns

To accomplish tasks, first create a plist file in /Library/LaunchDaemons (for system-wide) or ~/Library/LaunchAgents (for user-specific). Use launchctl commands to manage it. For OpenClaw integration, embed the gateway command in the plist and reference env vars. Always validate plist syntax before loading. For programmatic access, use AppleScript to add login items, e.g., via osascript.