Why macOS Command-Line Tools Should Use XDG Specification Instead of Application Support for Config Files
By
zdw
An everything bagel for the brain. Substantive, layered, well-seasoned.
Summary
The article argues that command-line tools on macOS should not store configuration files in ~/Library/Application Support, as this location is intended for GUI applications rather than CLI tools. The author contends that developers misinterpret Apple's documentation and should instead follow the XDG Base Directory Specification, placing config files in $XDG_CONFIG_HOME (defaulting to ~/.config) for better user experience and proper adherence to standards.
Key quotes
· 4 pulledOne of my pet peeves is when command-line tools look for user configuration files in ~/Library/Application Support when running on macOS.
Instead, command-line tools should implement the XDG Base Directory Specification and look for configuration files in $XDG_CONFIG_HOME, which defaults to ~/.config.
Usually, when a program looks for configuration files in ~/Library/Application Support, it's not because of an intentional design decision.
A CLI tool is not an app, and none of you are reading the docs as carefully as you think you are.
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