macos-font-defaults git:20260629.3f85fd0A

Immutable. This exact content never changes and is served at /api/v1/blob/7ba244fabb6ab65e.

---
name: macos-font-defaults
description: Set macOS's "user fixed-pitch font" and per-app fixed-width fonts (TextEdit plain text, Stickies default note) to a chosen font — by default JetBrains Mono NL Nerd Font. Idempotent and parameterized, so it doubles as a fresh-machine setup step. Use when the operator wants their default monospaced/fixed-width font changed, or asks "make my fixed-width font X", "default mono font", "set Stickies/TextEdit font". TRIGGERS - default fixed-width font, monospaced font default, set my mono font, fixed-pitch font, Stickies default font, TextEdit plain text font.
allowed-tools: Bash
---

# macos-font-defaults — set the system fixed-width font

macOS has **no single system-wide monospaced-font setting**. This skill sets the three
levers that exist, in one idempotent command:

`APPLY="$CLAUDE_PLUGIN_ROOT/skills/macos-font-defaults/apply.sh"`

| Lever                                 | What it controls                                                                                |
| ------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| global `NSFixedPitchFont`             | `+[NSFont userFixedPitchFontOfSize:]` — TextEdit plain text and other standard-text-system apps |
| `com.apple.TextEdit NSFixedPitchFont` | TextEdit's plain-text font explicitly (belt-and-suspenders)                                     |
| Stickies `DefaultFont`                | new Stickies notes (archived `NSFont` in the sandbox container plist)                           |

## Usage

```bash
"$APPLY" check                          # report current values, change nothing
"$APPLY" apply                          # set everything to JetBrains Mono NL (size = macOS default)
"$APPLY" apply --font "Menlo-Regular"   # a different font (PostScript name)
"$APPLY" apply --size 13                # also pin a size (omit to keep macOS default ~11pt)
```

Always run `check` first and show the operator the current values before `apply`.

## What it does NOT cover (be honest)

- **Terminal / iTerm / VS Code / editors** keep their own font settings — unchanged.
- **Apple Notes** hardcodes its monospaced face and cannot be redirected to a custom font.
  Its only mono lever is the per-note **Monostyled** style (the `draft-hold` skill uses it).
- This is **not** a system-UI font override; menus/Finder are unaffected.

## Notes

- The default font is the JetBrains Mono NL Nerd Font regular PostScript name
  `JetBrainsMonoNLNF-Regular`. `apply` fails fast if the font isn't installed.
- The Stickies step only runs when the stored default differs, and quits a running
  Stickies first (it would otherwise overwrite the plist on exit). Re-running is safe.
- Relaunch target apps to pick up changes; already-running apps cache the font.
- Reverse the global lever with `defaults delete -g NSFixedPitchFont NSFixedPitchFontSize`.