# launchctl > Control Apple's `launchd` manager for launch daemons (system-wide services) and launch agents (per-user programs). > `launchd` loads XML-based `*.plist` files placed in the appropriate locations, and runs the corresponding commands according to their defined schedule. > More information: . - Activate a user-specific agent to be loaded into `launchd` whenever the user logs in: `launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/{{my_script}}.plist` - Activate an agent which requires root privileges to run and/or should be loaded whenever any user logs in (note the absence of `~` in the path): `sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchAgents/{{root_script}}.plist` - Activate a system-wide daemon to be loaded whenever the system boots up (even if no user logs in): `sudo launchctl load /Library/LaunchDaemons/{{system_daemon}}.plist` - Show all loaded agents/daemons, with the PID if the process they specify is currently running, and the exit code returned the last time they ran: `launchctl list` - Unload a currently loaded agent, e.g. to make changes (Note: the plist file is automatically loaded into `launchd` after a reboot and/or logging in): `launchctl unload ~/Library/LaunchAgents/{{my_script}}.plist` - Manually run a known (loaded) agent/daemon, even if it is not the right time (Note: this command uses the agent's label, rather than the filename): `launchctl start {{script_file}}` - Manually kill the process associated with a known agent/daemon, if it is running: `launchctl stop {{script_file}}`