Lint and Convert Property Lists with plutil

Validate, pretty-print, and convert plist/JSON files — plus edit keys from the shell.

macOSplistjsonplutillintLow risk

Run `plutil -lint file.plist` to validate, `plutil -p file.plist` to print it readably, and `plutil -convert json file.plist` to convert format.

01Command

Command

$ plutil -lint ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.example.job.plist

02What it does

A single bad XML entity in a launchd plist makes the job silently fail to load, so linting is the first diagnostic step. plutil -p renders both binary and XML plists in readable form without converting the file. Beyond validation it can edit in place: -insert/-replace/-remove modify keys, and -convert json/xmpp1/xml1 covers every plist serialization.

03Risk

RiskLow risk

!Warning: -convert and edit flags rewrite the file; keep a copy before converting formats.

04Undo

✓No undo needed — this command does not change persistent state.

05Sources

macOS plutil — validate and convert plist files
SS64 · technical · 2026-09-17
Evidence: Documents plutil -lint, -convert, -p and -insert options for property lists.

Last verified: 2026-09-17 · Category: Files & Folders

06Related solutions

Export and Import Preference Domains with defaults

macOSplistbackupdefaults

Snapshot an entire app's settings to a plist file, then restore or migrate it later.

Low risk ✓ 2026-09-17