Take Screenshots on Your Mac Using the Terminal Application

Taking screenshots on a Mac can be accomplished not only through keyboard shortcuts but also via the Terminal application. Here’s a detailed guide on how to use the Terminal for this purpose.

Using Terminal to Take Screenshots

The command-line tool screencapture allows you to take screenshots directly from the Terminal. This method is particularly useful for users who prefer using command-line interfaces or need to automate screenshot processes.

Basic Command

To take a screenshot of the entire screen, you can use the following command:

screencapture ~/Desktop/screenshot.png

This command captures the entire screen and saves it as screenshot.png on your Desktop.

Capturing a Specific Area

If you want to capture a specific area of your screen, use the interactive mode with the -i flag:

screencapture -ci

After entering this command, your cursor will change to crosshairs, allowing you to click and drag to select the area you wish to capture. The screenshot will be copied to your clipboard, which you can then paste into any application that accepts images [5].

Capturing a Window

To capture a specific window without having to select an area manually, use the following command:

screencapture -W ~/Desktop/window_screenshot.png

This captures the window that is currently active and saves it as window_screenshot.png on your Desktop. If you want to copy it directly to your clipboard instead of saving it, add the -c flag:

screencapture -cW

Additional Options

The screencapture command offers several flags for customization:

  • -P: Opens the screenshot in Preview for immediate editing.
  • -o: Omits the shadow around window screenshots.
  • -x: Suppresses the sound that indicates a screenshot has been taken.
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For example, if you want to capture a window without a shadow and open it in Preview, use:

screencapture -oiP

Summary of Commands

CommandDescription
screencapture ~/Desktop/screenshot.pngCapture entire screen
screencapture -ciCapture selected area interactively
screencapture -W ~/Desktop/window_screenshot.pngCapture active window
screencapture -cWCapture active window and copy to clipboard
screencapture -oiPCapture active window without shadow and open in Preview

Using these commands, you can effectively manage screenshots directly from the Terminal, providing flexibility for both casual users and those who prefer scripting or automation .