MacTwix

macOS network tweak utility
One-click TCP optimization, AWDL control, and smart auto-mode — all from the menubar.

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What it does

MacTwix is a lightweight menubar app that applies network-level optimizations to macOS without requiring repeated password prompts. Think of it as GNOME Tweaks, but for macOS networking.

• TCP Stack Optimization — applies 17 sysctl knobs (buffer sizes, ECN, TSO, delayed ACK, CUBIC tuning) for better throughput and lower latency
• AWDL Control — disable the hidden awdl0 interface that causes Wi-Fi interference (AirDrop/Handoff uses it)
• Smart Auto Mode — automatically disables AWDL when torrent clients (or any configured app) are running, re-enables when they quit
• Persistent — privileged helper runs at boot, no password needed after one-time setup
• Universal Binary — single app works on both Intel and Apple Silicon Macs

Screenshots

Menubar popover	TCP Details	Preferences

Install

Option A: Download DMG

1. Download MacTwix.dmg from Releases
2. Drag MacTwix.app to /Applications
3. Open MacTwix — click the T icon in menubar
4. Click the warning banner → Install Helper
5. Approve in System Settings → General → Login Items

Note: Gatekeeper will warn about unsigned builds. Right-click → Open to bypass, or build from source.

Option B: Build from source (recommended)

brew install xcodegen
git clone https://github.com/webgkv/mactwix.git
cd mactwix
xcodegen generate
open MacTwix.xcodeproj

1. Xcode → Settings → Accounts → add your Apple ID (free is fine)
2. Select target MacTwix → Signing & Capabilities → Team → your Personal Team
3. Repeat for target MacTwixHelper
4. ⌘R to build & run

Optional: put your Team ID in Config/Local.xcconfig (gitignored):

DEVELOPMENT_TEAM = YOURTEAMID

How it works

┌─────────────┐         XPC          ┌──────────────────┐
│  MacTwix    │◄─────────────────────►│  MacTwixHelper   │
│  (menubar)  │    Mach service       │  (root daemon)   │
│  user-space │                       │  LaunchDaemon    │
└─────────────┘                       └──────────────────┘
                                             │
                                      ┌──────┴──────┐
                                      │ sysctl      │
                                      │ ifconfig    │
                                      │ pmset       │
                                      │ lsappinfo   │
                                      └─────────────┘

• One-time privilege escalation via SMAppService — no repeated password prompts
• Helper persists across reboots (KeepAlive LaunchDaemon)
• AWDL Watchdog re-disables awdl0 every ~2.5s if macOS re-enables it (common on Apple Silicon)
• App auto-launches at login for tray icon visibility

Features

Feature	Description
TCP Optimized	Apply/rollback 17 sysctl parameters
AWDL Disabled	Manual awdl0 down/up
Auto AWDL (Smart)	Monitor apps → disable AWDL when trigger app is running
Watched Apps	Configurable list + "Torrents Apps" preset (12 clients)
Apply at Login	Re-apply TCP optimizations on every boot
Uninstall	Full rollback: TCP defaults, AWDL up, daemon removed
Agent Debug API	localhost:18765 — real-time status for AI/automation

Compatibility

Platform	AWDL	TCP	Auto	Watchdog
Intel Mac	✅	✅	✅	—
Apple Silicon	✅	✅	✅	✅

Project layout

mactwix/
├── MacTwix/              # SwiftUI menubar app
│   ├── AppModel.swift    # State management + helper communication
│   ├── MenuView.swift    # Popover UI
│   ├── WatchedAppsView   # Trigger apps config window
│   ├── TCPDetailsView    # Per-knob TCP table
│   ├── PreferencesView   # Helper install/uninstall, settings
│   ├── DeveloperView     # Agent API info (hidden, 7-tap on version)
│   ├── AgentDebugServer  # localhost HTTP API
│   └── AgentLog          # Ring-buffer logger
├── MacTwixHelper/        # Privileged root daemon
│   ├── HelperXPC         # XPC service + client auth
│   ├── NetworkOps        # sysctl, ifconfig, pmset operations
│   ├── AutoModeEngine    # App-watching + AWDL toggle
│   └── AWDLWatchdog      # Periodic AWDL re-assert
├── Shared/               # Protocol, FixValues, TriggerCatalog
├── Config/               # xcconfig files
├── Assets/               # SVG icons
├── scripts/              # CLI fallback (reference)
├── doc/                  # CONCEPT.md, AGENT_API.md
└── project.yml           # XcodeGen spec

Agent Debug API

While MacTwix is running, monitor state in real-time:

# Health check
curl http://127.0.0.1:18765/health

# Full status JSON
curl http://127.0.0.1:18765/status

# Recent logs
curl http://127.0.0.1:18765/logs?limit=50

# File paths
curl http://127.0.0.1:18765/paths

Or tail the log file:

tail -f ~/Library/Logs/MacTwix/agent.log

See doc/AGENT_API.md for full documentation.

CLI scripts (fallback)

The original shell scripts are kept as reference/emergency fallback:

sudo ./scripts/fix-tcp-tahoe.sh --install
sudo ./scripts/fix-wifi-tahoe.sh --install
./scripts/fix-tcp-tahoe.sh --status

Prefer the app once the helper is installed.

License

This project is licensed under the GNU General Public License v3.0 — see LICENSE for details.

TL;DR: Free to use, modify, and distribute. Forks must remain open-source under the same license. Attribution to the original author is required.

For commercial licensing (use without GPL obligations), contact the author.

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Support

If you find MacTwix useful and want to support development or say thanks, donations are welcome:

Network	Address
Bitcoin (BTC)	bc1q0gyk6e77c2pxq7csjedk9v7wxl3du3wr3s7jp6
Ethereum (ETH / ERC-20)	0xBe8188DaB4b908d626CfbAC58A0B91F1c521E634
USDT (TRC-20)	TVAMSfenXAwdpUM2fkujpVtFqBXxecMQCe
TON	UQBrALwkTwL5mU9B88YCw1WX87HwEqArWkvpDEqXc3efgThF
Solana (SOL)	B1iGj1xRPw1f8o9txqbMnbWDZvVcp3ah2chjD8pSokQT