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macOS ​

Desktop app handles this automatically

If you're using the PrintHQ Bridge desktop app (.dmg), it runs as a background service automatically via the system tray. You don't need to follow these steps. This guide is for users running Bridge as a standalone Node.js binary.

On macOS, Bridge installs as a launchd agent that runs in the background and starts automatically on login.

Install ​

bash
./printhq-bridge --install

This creates a launchd plist at:

~/Library/LaunchAgents/io.printhq.bridge.plist

The service starts immediately and will auto-start every time you log in.

Check Status ​

bash
./printhq-bridge --status

Or use launchctl directly:

bash
launchctl list | grep printhq

Uninstall ​

bash
./printhq-bridge --uninstall

Logs ​

Service logs are written to:

~/Library/Logs/printhq-bridge.log

View logs in real time:

bash
tail -f ~/Library/Logs/printhq-bridge.log

Manual Control ​

If you need to manually stop or start the service:

bash
# Stop
launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/io.printhq.bridge.plist

# Start
launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/io.printhq.bridge.plist

Notes ​

  • The service runs as your user account, not as root
  • It automatically restarts if it crashes (KeepAlive is enabled)
  • The web UI remains accessible at http://localhost:9876

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