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I am trying to automate the setup of a Mac running macOS Catalina (10.15.1).

I found this question: How can I set the display settings using command line . But none of the answers really explain how I can set this "slightly larger text" setting. I would like to know how to automatically set the configuration in the below screenshot:

Display Scaled Resolution

Is there a way to do this using the defaults command?

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2 Answers 2

Reset to default
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I’m not aware of any way to do this via defaults write (although it seems like it should be possible). I even checked MacPilot which is usually my go-to for hidden defaults.

My suggestion would be to use display_manager.py which is the best command-line tool that I know of which is being actively developed. It is free, but will require you to figure out the proper settings for your computer.

There’s also SwitchResX which is a commercial app ($16, I think) but if all you want it for is the initial setup, that might be overkill.

Last but not least, there’s ‎Display Menu which is free, but with a $2 in-app purchase will add AppleScript support, which means you can use it from the command line.

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  • Worked for me! Using Display Manager (display_manager.py), I created a Workflow using Automator and assigned a keyboard shortcut via System Preferences > Keyboard > Shortcuts.
    – rinogo
    Commented Jun 3, 2020 at 1:01
  • (My command: /path/to/display_manager.py res 1920 1080 60)
    – rinogo
    Commented Jun 3, 2020 at 1:06
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I came across this and tried TJ's suggestion display_manager.py The script worked beautifully and even gave me an option to increase the resolution over what System Prefs/Displays was offering.

I downloaded the whole git to my application directory. Then ran:

/Applications/display_manager-stable/display_manager.py show highest

I took the results and I ran this:

/Applications/display_manager-stable/display_manager.py res 1920 1080

I set up a LaunchAgent (using Lingon) with the command above and now when my headless mini restarts I am able to remote in and don't get the default unworkable resolution.

Thanks for this TJ. I had no idea this existed.

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  • I’m glad it helped you out!
    – TJ Luoma
    Commented Dec 9, 2019 at 20:59

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