How to Use the Command 'mist' (with examples)

The mist command, short for macOS Installer Super Tool, is a powerful utility designed for managing macOS installations, particularly focusing on downloading macOS firmware and installers for various platforms. It simplifies the process of accessing multiple macOS versions, allowing users to list and download the necessary files for either Apple Silicon or Intel Mac architectures. This utility is crucial for IT administrators, developers, and enthusiasts looking to work with different macOS setups effortlessly.

Use case 1: List all available macOS Firmwares for Apple Silicon Macs

Code:

mist list firmware

Motivation:

This command is particularly useful for users who are responsible for managing Mac systems with Apple Silicon chips and need to be aware of all the available firmware versions. Staying updated about different firmware versions can be crucial for ensuring compatibility and stability in various environments, especially in enterprise settings.

Explanation:

• mist: The core command invoking the macOS Installer Super Tool.
• list firmware: This part of the command specifies that the user wants to display a list of all available firmware for Apple Silicon Macs. The tool fetches the data and presents it in an accessible format.

Example Output:

macOS Ventura 13.0.1 - Firmware 13.0.1 (Build 22A400)
macOS Monterey 12.6 - Firmware 12.6 (Build 21G115)
...

Use case 2: List all available macOS Installers for Intel Macs, including Universal Installers for macOS Big Sur and later

Code:

mist list installer

Motivation:

Intel Mac users still form a significant portion of the macOS ecosystem. This command is valuable for those who want to access older macOS versions or need universal installers that are compatible across different architectures, ensuring they can run the desired operating systems on their devices efficiently.

Explanation:

• mist: Initiates the command.
• list installer: Indicates the need to display a list of macOS installers available for Intel Macs. It also includes universal installers for macOS Big Sur and later, accommodating various system architectures.

Example Output:

macOS Monterey 12.5 - Installer 12.5 (Build 21G72)
macOS Big Sur 11.7 - Installer 11.7 (Build 20G817)
...

Use case 3: List all macOS Installers that are compatible with this Mac, including Universal Installers for macOS Big Sur and later

Code:

mist list installer --compatible

Motivation:

For users who are less familiar with version compatibilities or just want to avoid the hassle of manually checking compatibility, this command identifies which macOS installers will work with their particular Mac. This ensures compatibility and mitigates installation errors.

Explanation:

• mist: The main command to use the Super Tool.
• list installer: Requests a listing of available macOS installers.
• --compatible: Filters the list to show only those macOS installers that are compatible with the current Mac system, including universal options since macOS Big Sur.

Example Output:

macOS Ventura 13.0 - Compatible Installer (Build 22A400)
macOS Monterey 12.6 - Compatible Installer (Build 21G115)
...

Use case 4: List all available macOS Installers for Intel Macs, including betas, also including Universal Installers for macOS Big Sur and later

Code:

mist list installer --include-betas

Motivation:

Developers and beta testers need access to the latest macOS beta versions to test their software’s compatibility and stability with upcoming releases. This command caters to such users by listing available beta installers, enabling them to prepare for future macOS updates.

Explanation:

• mist: Activates the command tool.
• list installer: Calls for a list of installers.
• --include-betas: Modifies the output to include beta releases of macOS installers, expanding the list beyond stable releases to cater to developers and testers.

Example Output:

macOS Monterey 12.6 beta - Installer 12.6b (Build 21G646)
macOS Big Sur 11.7 beta - Installer 11.7b (Build 20G1009)
...

Use case 5: List only the latest macOS Sonoma Installer for Intel Macs, including Universal Installers for macOS Big Sur and later

Code:

mist list installer --latest "macOS Sonoma"

Motivation:

When a user explicitly needs the most recent version of macOS for a specific version like “macOS Sonoma,” whether for testing, production, or personal use, this command quickly narrows that search to simplify the process.

Explanation:

• mist: Initiates the main command.
• list installer: Requests a list of installers.
• --latest: Specifies that only the most current version of the installer is needed.
• "macOS Sonoma": Determines which specific macOS version the user is interested in acquiring the latest installer for.

Example Output:

macOS Sonoma 14.0 - Latest Installer 14.0 (Build 23A233)

Use case 6: List and export macOS Installers to a CSV file

Code:

mist list installer --export "/path/to/export.csv"

Motivation:

For IT administrators or users looking to document or analyze their available macOS installers, exporting this information into a structured format like CSV makes it exceptionally useful for record-keeping and reporting.

Explanation:

• mist: Invokes the utility.
• list installer: Generates a list of installers.
• --export "/path/to/export.csv": Directs the command to export this list data into a CSV file, making it ready for external use and analysis.

Example Output:

Exporting installer list to /path/to/export.csv...

Use case 7: Download the latest macOS Sonoma Firmware for Apple Silicon Macs, with a custom name

Code:

mist download firmware "macOS Sonoma" --firmware-name "Install %NAME% %VERSION%-%BUILD%.ipsw"

Motivation:

To ensure a system is running the latest macOS firmware matching “macOS Sonoma” on Apple Silicon Macs, with label customization to suit organizational naming conventions or personal preferences, use this command.

Explanation:

• mist: Engages the command-line tool.
• download firmware: Specifies that firmware should be downloaded.
• "macOS Sonoma": Highlights the specific version of firmware targeted for download.
• --firmware-name "Install %NAME% %VERSION%-%BUILD%.ipsw": Customizes the firmware’s file name format by embedding version and build identifiers.

Example Output:

Downloading macOS Sonoma - Firmware 14.0 (Build 23A233) to Install macOS Sonoma 14.0-23A233.ipsw

Use case 8: Download a specific macOS Installer version for Intel Macs, including Universal Installers for macOS Big Sur and later

Code:

mist download installer "13.5.2" application

Motivation:

There are scenarios where specific macOS installer versions are necessary, such as recreating previous environments or accessing specific features. This precise version control is crucial for ensuring application compatibility and ease of system management.

Explanation:

• mist: Runs the main command tool.
• download installer: Denotes that an installer download is requested.
• "13.5.2": Specifies the exact version number of the macOS installer required.
• application: Ensures that the installer downloaded is in application format, ready to use on Intel Macs.

Example Output:

Downloading macOS Installer 13.5.2 as an application...

Conclusion:

The mist command provides users with an organized, efficient way to access and manage macOS firmware and installers. Its range of functionalities—from listing available versions to exporting data and downloading specific builds—caters thoroughly to a broad array of users, from enterprise IT managers to individual developers and tech enthusiasts. This utility saves time and reduces complexity when managing multiple macOS versions across different Mac architectures.