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sleep MacOS command

The MacOS sleep command is a useful tool that allows you to put your system to sleep directly from the terminal. By using this command, you can easily save power and extend the life of your device. Simply navigate to the terminal and enter the sleep command to activate this feature. This can be especially helpful when you need to step away from your computer but want to ensure that it is not using unnecessary power. The MacOS sleep command is a simple yet effective way to manage your system’s power usage and increase its longevity.

Terminal window
sleep seconds
OptionDescription
ParameterDescription
secondsSpecifies the number of seconds to sleep for
Terminal window
sleep 3600 && sudo shutdown now

Sets a delay of 3600 seconds (1 hour) before initiating a system shutdown.

Terminal window
sleep 600 && ./backup_script.sh

Delays the execution of a backup script for 10 minutes (600 seconds).

Terminal window
sleep 5 && screencapture my_screenshot.jpg

Introduces a 5-second delay before capturing a screenshot named “my_screenshot.jpg”.

Terminal window
./long_running_process.sh & sleep 120 && echo "Process completed"

Initiates a long-running process in the background and then waits for 2 minutes before displaying a completion message.

Terminal window
open "System Preferences" && sleep 30 && osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to keystroke "q" using {command down}' && sleep 1 && osascript -e 'tell application "System Events" to keystroke "q" using {command down}'

Opens System Preferences, pauses for 30 seconds, and then closes the application to lock the screen temporarily.

To use the sleep command in bash, execute the following command:

Terminal window
sleep 5

How can I make a process wait for a specific duration using sleep in MacOS?

Section titled “How can I make a process wait for a specific duration using sleep in MacOS?”

To make a process wait for a specified duration using the sleep command in MacOS, you can do the following:

Terminal window
sleep 10

What is the syntax for using sleep with fractions of a second in MacOS?

Section titled “What is the syntax for using sleep with fractions of a second in MacOS?”

To use sleep with fractions of a second in MacOS, you can specify the time interval in decimals. Here’s an example:

Terminal window
sleep 2.5

How can I display a message after a certain delay using sleep in MacOS?

Section titled “How can I display a message after a certain delay using sleep in MacOS?”

To display a message after a certain delay using the sleep command in MacOS, you can combine it with the echo command like this:

Terminal window
sleep 3 && echo "Delayed message"

How do I make a script pause for a specific time period in MacOS using sleep?

Section titled “How do I make a script pause for a specific time period in MacOS using sleep?”

To make a script pause for a specific time period in MacOS using the sleep command, you can include it in your script like this:

Terminal window
# Insert other commands here
sleep 7

Can I use sleep to set up scheduled pauses in a bash script in MacOS?

Section titled “Can I use sleep to set up scheduled pauses in a bash script in MacOS?”

Yes, you can use the sleep command to set up scheduled pauses in a bash script in MacOS. For example:

Terminal window
# Command 1
sleep 2
# Command 2

How can I put my computer to sleep after a certain duration using the sleep command in MacOS?

Section titled “How can I put my computer to sleep after a certain duration using the sleep command in MacOS?”

To put your computer to sleep after a certain duration using the sleep command in MacOS, you can do the following:

Terminal window
sleep 3600 && pmset sleepnow

Is there a way to run a command after a delay using sleep in MacOS?

Section titled “Is there a way to run a command after a delay using sleep in MacOS?”

Yes, you can run a command after a delay using the sleep command in MacOS. Just combine the sleep command with the desired command like this:

Terminal window
sleep 5 && <your_command_here>
  • Put the computer to sleep
  • Delay a process for a specified amount of time
  • Schedule tasks to run at a specific time
  • Save power by putting the system into a low-power state