macos-discovery

Identify macOS app configuration paths and generate YAML hints entries.

5|Updated Dec 23, 2025

Search Tags:#macos #containers #preferences #config-discovery #app-hints #bundle-id

Ready to run

npx skills add https://github.com/ksk-incom/MacInventory --skill macos-discovery

💬 Prompt for ChatGPT / Claude Chat▼

Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: macos-discovery
Source: https://github.com/ksk-incom/MacInventory/tree/main/macinventory/skills/macos-discovery
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/ksk-incom/MacInventory --skill macos-discovery

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

💡 This Skill includes references (resource) components.

What problem does it solve?

macOS apps store settings and configuration in diverse locations, and teams need a reliable method to locate and document them for recovery and hints databases.

Core Features & Use Cases

Three-tier discovery approach (Hints DB, Conventions, LLm Research) to locate config paths for apps with varying levels of documentation.
Standard path patterns across macOS: Application Support, Preferences, dotfiles, XDG, Containers, and Group Containers, plus sandboxed and non-sandboxed contexts.
Structured YAML hints entries for apps including bundle_id, install_method, and configuration file paths to support restoration workflows.

Quick Start

Identify and document where a given macOS app stores its configuration, then generate a YAML hints entry.

Frequently Asked Questions about macos-discovery

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema

How do I find where macOS apps store their configuration and settings?▼

Locate macOS app configuration by checking a Hints DB, applying standard path conventions across Application Support and Containers, and using LLM research to document settings paths for unknown apps.

What is the standard YAML schema for documenting macOS app hints?▼

The YAML hints entry schema defines fields including bundle_id, install_method, and configuration file paths to support settings discovery and restoration workflows for macOS applications.

Can I use this to discover config paths for sandboxed and non-sandboxed apps?▼

Config discovery covers both sandboxed and non-sandboxed contexts by scanning standard macOS locations including Application Support, Preferences, dotfiles, XDG, Containers, and Group Containers.

What's the best way to locate preferences for undocumented macOS applications?▼

Use the three-tier discovery approach, escalating from a Hints DB lookup to standard conventions, and finally applying LLM research to infer configuration paths for undocumented macOS apps.

Why does macOS app discovery need to check both Application Support and Containers?▼

App discovery checks both Application Support and Containers because macOS apps store settings in diverse locations depending on sandbox status, requiring both paths for complete config documentation.