Process Library
What is that process on my Mac?
Plain-English answers for the processes you see in Activity Monitor: what each one is, why it's using CPU or memory, what to do about it, and whether it's safe to quit.
231 processes · Updated
231 processes
- 1PasswordThird-partyThe 1Password password manager and its browser helper.Safe to quit
- accountsdApple serviceStores your internet accounts (iCloud, Google, Microsoft and others) and shares them with apps.Quit with care
- Adobe Creative CloudThird-partyAdobe's Creative Cloud app, used to install, update and sign in to Adobe apps.Safe to quit
- Adobe Desktop ServiceThird-partyCreative Cloud's core background service for sign-in, licensing, installs and updates.Quit with care
- AdobeIPCBrokerThird-partyLets Adobe apps and Creative Cloud background services talk to each other.Quit with care
- AirPlayXPCHelpermacOS systemHelps with AirPlay: streaming audio or video, or mirroring your screen to other devices.Quit with care
- airportdmacOS systemManages your Mac's Wi-Fi: scanning, joining networks and staying connected.Don't quit
- akdApple serviceHandles Apple Account sign-in and authentication for iCloud, the App Store and other services.Quit with care
- amfidSecurityChecks code signatures to make sure programs haven't been tampered with before they run.Don't quit
- AMPDeviceDiscoveryAgentApple serviceDetects connected iPhones, iPads and iPods so Finder can sync and back them up.Quit with care
- analyticsdmacOS systemCollects diagnostics and usage data locally if you've opted in to share analytics with Apple.Quit with care
- anedApple serviceManages the Apple Neural Engine, the chip part that runs machine-learning tasks efficiently.Quit with care
- apfsdmacOS systemHousekeeping for APFS disks: encryption, defragmentation and other maintenance.Don't quit
- App extension (widget or Shortcuts/Siri intents)Apple serviceA small app extension that provides a widget, or actions and search results for Siri, Spotlight or Shortcuts.Quit with care
- App helper processThird-partyA background helper that belongs to the app named at the start.Quit with care
- App helper process (other variant)Third-partyA specialised helper process belonging to a browser or Electron-based app.Quit with care
- App updaterThird-partyA background updater that keeps an app up to date.Safe to quit
- Apple system componentApple serviceA component of macOS or an Apple app, named with Apple's 'com.apple.' identifier.Quit with care
- AppleSpellmacOS systemChecks spelling and grammar as you type, in every app that uses the system spell checker.Quit with care
- appstoreagentApple serviceBackground support for the Mac App Store: purchases, update checks and installs.Quit with care
- apsdApple serviceKeeps a connection to Apple's push notification service so apps get messages instantly.Quit with care
- assistantd (Siri)Apple serviceSiri's background service, which handles your requests to Siri.Quit with care
- avconferencedApple serviceHandles the audio and video of FaceTime calls.Quit with care
- Background agentmacOS systemA background helper that runs in your login session, for macOS or an installed app.Quit with care
- Background servicemacOS systemA background service started by macOS or an app to handle a specific task.Quit with care
- backgroundtaskmanagementdmacOS systemTracks login items and background apps, and shows 'Background Items Added' notifications.Quit with care
- backupd (Time Machine)Apple serviceRuns Time Machine backups and manages your backup history.Quit with care
- biomedApple servicePart of Biome, Apple's system for processing app and device activity events used for personalisation.Quit with care
- biometrickitdSecuritySupports Touch ID fingerprint operations.Quit with care
- birdApple serviceSyncs iCloud Drive (including Desktop and Documents if enabled) with iCloud.Quit with care
- bluetoothdmacOS systemRuns Bluetooth: connects headphones, keyboards, mice and helps nearby Apple devices find each other.Quit with care
- Brave BrowserThird-partyThe Brave web browser (Chromium-based) and its helper processes.Safe to quit
- Browser / Electron GPU helperThird-partyHandles graphics and video for a Chromium browser or Electron app.Quit with care
- Browser / Electron plugin helperThird-partyA helper process that an Electron or Chromium-based app uses for plug-ins or extensions.Quit with care
- Browser / Electron renderer helperThird-partyRuns web pages or an app's interface for a Chromium browser or an Electron app.Quit with care
- caffeinatemacOS systemA built-in tool that keeps your Mac awake while something is running.Safe to quit
- callservicesdApple serviceKeeps track of phone and FaceTime calls on your Mac, including calls from your iPhone.Quit with care
- CCLibraryThird-partySyncs your Adobe Creative Cloud Libraries (colours, graphics, assets) across apps.Safe to quit
- CCXProcessThird-partyAdobe's Creative Cloud Experience process: in-app content like tutorials and templates.Safe to quit
- cfprefsdmacOS systemReads and saves the settings (preferences) of every app and of macOS itself.Quit with care
- chrome_crashpad_handlerThird-partyCrash reporter for Chrome and many Chromium/Electron apps; waits quietly in case of crashes.Safe to quit
- chronodApple serviceManages widgets, deciding when they refresh their content.Quit with care
- clang (and ld)Developer toolsThe C, C++ and Objective-C compiler (clang) and the linker (ld) used during builds.Quit with care
- Claude (desktop app)Third-partyAnthropic's Claude desktop app (built on Electron) and its helper processes.Safe to quit
- CleanMyMacThird-partyMacPaw's Mac cleaning and maintenance app, with a menu bar monitor and background helpers.Safe to quit
- clouddApple serviceSyncs app data with iCloud using CloudKit, for Apple apps and many third-party apps.Quit with care
- cloudphotodApple serviceUploads and downloads your photos and videos for iCloud Photos.Quit with care
- Code Helper (Plugin)Developer toolsUsually runs VS Code extensions and the language tools they start, like TypeScript's server.Quit with care
- Code Helper (Renderer)Developer toolsDraws a VS Code window or webview: the editor, panels and extension views.Quit with care
- com.docker.backendDeveloper toolsDocker Desktop's main background service that manages the VM, networking and file sharing.Quit with care
- com.docker.virtualizationDeveloper toolsRuns Docker Desktop's Linux virtual machine, where your containers actually live.Quit with care
- com.docker.vmnetdDeveloper toolsDocker Desktop's privileged networking helper.Quit with care
- CommCenterApple serviceLets your Mac make and receive phone calls through your iPhone.Quit with care
- configdmacOS systemKeeps track of network and system configuration and tells apps when it changes.Don't quit
- contactsdApple serviceManages your contacts database for the Contacts app and any app allowed to use contacts.Quit with care
- containermanagerdmacOS systemCreates and manages the private storage 'containers' that sandboxed apps keep their data in.Don't quit
- ControlCentermacOS systemRuns Control Center and most of Apple's menu bar icons: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, sound, battery, clock.Quit with care
- Core Audio driver hostmacOS systemRuns an audio driver plug-in, often a virtual audio device from a meeting or recording app.Quit with care
- Core Sync (Adobe Content Synchronizer)Third-partyAdobe's file and asset sync process for Creative Cloud.Safe to quit
- coreaudiodmacOS systemHandles all sound on your Mac: playback, microphones, and audio devices.Quit with care
- coreauthdSecurityHandles Touch ID and password prompts when apps ask you to confirm it's you.Quit with care
- corebrightnessdmacOS systemManages Night Shift and related display brightness and colour adjustments.Quit with care
- coreservicesdmacOS systemProvides low-level services that Finder and apps rely on to open, launch and track things.Don't quit
- CoreServicesUIAgentmacOS systemShows system dialogs, such as the warning before opening an app downloaded from the internet.Quit with care
- CoreSimulatorServiceDeveloper toolsManages Xcode's simulated devices and their system images in the background.Quit with care
- corespotlightdApple serviceIndexes content that apps share with Spotlight, like emails, notes and messages.Quit with care
- CptHost (Zoom)Third-partyZoom's screen-sharing host process, used when you share your screen.Quit with care
- Crashpad crash reporterThird-partyA crash reporter from a Chromium-based browser or Electron app, waiting in case of crashes.Safe to quit
- CursorDeveloper toolsThe Cursor AI code editor (based on VS Code) and its helper processes.Safe to quit
- dasdmacOS systemDuet Activity Scheduler: picks good moments to run background tasks like backups and indexing.Quit with care
- deletedmacOS systemFrees up 'purgeable' disk space by asking apps to clear caches when storage runs low.Quit with care
- diagnosticdmacOS systemFeeds live log messages to tools like the Console app and the 'log stream' command.Quit with care
- DiscordThird-partyThe Discord chat and voice app (built on Electron) and its helper processes.Safe to quit
- diskarbitrationdmacOS systemNotices disks being connected and decides how and where they are mounted.Don't quit
- distnotedmacOS systemPasses 'something changed' messages between apps and system services behind the scenes.Quit with care
- DockmacOS systemRuns the Dock, plus Mission Control, Spaces (multiple desktops), App Exposé and Hot Corners.Quit with care
- Docker DesktopDeveloper toolsDocker's app for running containers on a Mac inside a lightweight Linux virtual machine.Safe to quit
- Docker Desktop componentDeveloper toolsA background component of Docker Desktop.Quit with care
- DropboxThird-partyDropbox's file sync app; DropboxMacUpdate keeps it updated.Safe to quit
- ElectronDeveloper toolsAn app built with Electron that hasn't been given its own name, often during development.Safe to quit
- endpointsecuritydSecurityRuns and supervises security tools (antivirus, monitoring) that use Apple's Endpoint Security system.Don't quit
- FigmaThird-partyThe Figma design app and its helpers, including figma_agent for local fonts.Safe to quit
- fileproviderdApple serviceConnects Finder with cloud storage like iCloud Drive, Dropbox, OneDrive and Google Drive.Quit with care
- FindermacOS systemThe Mac's file browser, which also draws the icons on your desktop.Quit with care
- findmydevicedApple serviceThe daemon for Find My Mac, so you can locate, lock or erase your Mac if it's lost.Quit with care
- FirefoxThird-partyMozilla's web browser. Tabs run in separate child processes, often labelled plugin-container.Safe to quit
- fontdmacOS systemRegisters fonts and makes them available to every app.Quit with care
- fseventsdmacOS systemRecords which folders have changed so apps like Spotlight and Time Machine can react.Don't quit
- generativeexperiencesdApple serviceApple Intelligence: powers on-device features like summaries and Writing Tools.Quit with care
- gitDeveloper toolsGit, the version control tool, often run in the background by code editors.Quit with care
- Google ChromeThird-partyGoogle's web browser. Its tabs and extensions run in separate 'Google Chrome Helper' processes.Safe to quit
- Google Chrome HelperThird-partyBackground helpers that do work for Chrome, such as networking, audio and other services.Quit with care
- Google Chrome Helper (GPU)Third-partyChrome's graphics process: draws pages and plays video using your Mac's graphics chip.Quit with care
- Google Chrome Helper (Renderer)Third-partyRuns web pages and extensions for Chrome; usually one per site or extension.Quit with care
- Google DriveThird-partyGoogle Drive for desktop, which syncs your Google Drive files with your Mac.Safe to quit
- GoogleUpdaterThird-partyKeeps Chrome and other Google apps up to date in the background.Safe to quit
- hiddmacOS systemProcesses input from keyboards, mice, trackpads and other human interface devices.Don't quit
- homedApple serviceManages your HomeKit home and controls smart home accessories.Quit with care
- ibtooldDeveloper toolsInterface Builder's helper in Xcode, for storyboards and XIB interface files.Quit with care
- iconservicesagentmacOS systemCreates the app and file icons you see in Finder, the Dock and elsewhere.Quit with care
- identityservicesdApple serviceRegisters your devices with Apple so iMessage, FaceTime and Continuity can reach them.Quit with care
- imagentApple serviceThe background agent for Messages and FaceTime, sending and receiving your iMessages.Quit with care
- imklaunchagentmacOS systemLaunches keyboard input methods, such as Chinese, Japanese or emoji input.Don't quit
- installdApple serviceInstalls software packages, including App Store apps and macOS components.Quit with care
- intelligencecontextdApple serviceGathers context about your device's state to help Apple Intelligence give relevant answers.Quit with care
- intelligenceflowdApple serviceCoordinates sessions between apps and Apple's intelligence services.Quit with care
- javaDeveloper toolsA Java virtual machine running a Java program, such as Android Studio's build tools or Minecraft.Safe to quit
- kernel_taskmacOS systemThe core of macOS itself. It also holds busy apps back on purpose to stop your Mac overheating.Don't quit
- kernelmanagerdmacOS systemLoads kernel extensions and starts driver extensions for the macOS kernel.Don't quit
- Keychain Circle NotificationApple serviceShows iCloud Keychain prompts, such as approving a new device or entering a device passcode.Quit with care
- launchdmacOS systemThe first process macOS starts. It launches and supervises nearly every other background process.Don't quit
- launchd_simDeveloper toolsThe launchd for a simulated device; each booted simulator has its own.Quit with care
- Little SnitchThird-partyA firewall app that shows and controls which apps connect to the internet.Quit with care
- locationdApple serviceWorks out your Mac's location and controls which apps may use it.Quit with care
- logdmacOS systemCollects and stores system log messages, the running diary that macOS and apps keep.Quit with care
- Logi Options+ (logioptionsplus_agent)Third-partyLogitech's background agent for customising Logitech mice and keyboards.Quit with care
- loginwindowmacOS systemHandles logging in and out, the lock screen, and keeps your user session running.Don't quit
- lsdmacOS systemLaunch Services: knows which apps are installed and which app opens which file type.Don't quit
- mdmclientmacOS systemApple's device-management client; it's on every Mac but only acts if the Mac is enrolled.Quit with care
- mDNSRespondermacOS systemLooks up website addresses (DNS) and finds devices like printers on your network (Bonjour).Don't quit
- mdsApple serviceThe Spotlight metadata server: coordinates indexing so you can search your Mac instantly.Quit with care
- mds_storesApple serviceMaintains Spotlight's search index on disk, updating it as files change.Quit with care
- mdworkerApple serviceA Spotlight worker that reads files and extracts searchable details for the index.Quit with care
- mdworker_sharedApple serviceSpotlight indexing worker; modern macOS runs several at once to read files for search.Quit with care
- mediaanalysisdApple serviceAnalyses images and video for features like Live Text, Visual Look Up and photo search.Quit with care
- Microsoft AutoUpdateThird-partyKeeps Microsoft apps like Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams and Edge up to date.Safe to quit
- Microsoft EdgeThird-partyMicrosoft's Chromium-based web browser and its helper processes.Safe to quit
- Microsoft TeamsThird-partyMicrosoft's chat and meetings app, along with its web view and helper processes.Safe to quit
- mobileassetdApple serviceDownloads extra system resources from Apple, such as fonts, voices and language data.Quit with care
- modelcatalogdApple serviceKeeps the catalogue of machine-learning models available to the system.Quit with care
- modelmanagerdApple serviceLoads and runs Apple's machine-learning models, including those used by Apple Intelligence.Quit with care
- neagentmacOS systemHosts Network Extension plug-ins, such as VPN and content filter components from apps.Quit with care
- nehelpermacOS systemManages settings for VPNs, content filters and other Network Extension apps.Quit with care
- networkserviceproxyApple serviceA transparent network proxy for Apple system services, used by features like iCloud Private Relay.Quit with care
- node (Node.js)Developer toolsNode.js, the JavaScript runtime used by developer tools, local servers and some apps.Safe to quit
- NotificationCentermacOS systemShows notification banners and the Notification Center panel with its widgets.Quit with care
- notifydmacOS systemA tiny messaging service that lets system processes signal each other quickly.Don't quit
- NotionThird-partyThe Notion notes and docs app (built on Electron) and its helper processes.Safe to quit
- nsurlsessiondApple serviceDoes background downloads and uploads for apps, even after you close them.Quit with care
- oahd (Rosetta 2)macOS systemRosetta 2: translates Intel-only apps so they can run on Apple silicon Macs.Quit with care
- ObsidianThird-partyThe Obsidian notes app (built on Electron) and its helper processes.Safe to quit
- OllamaDeveloper toolsRuns AI language models locally on your Mac.Safe to quit
- OneDriveThird-partyMicrosoft OneDrive, which syncs files and shows sync status in Finder.Safe to quit
- Open and Save Panel ServicemacOS systemShows the Open and Save dialogs for apps, keeping your files private from sandboxed apps.Quit with care
- opendirectorydmacOS systemLooks up user accounts, groups and passwords, locally or from a company directory.Don't quit
- Parallels DesktopThird-partyParallels Desktop, which runs Windows or other operating systems in virtual machines.Quit with care
- parsecdApple serviceFetches suggestions for Spotlight, Safari, Siri and Look Up searches.Quit with care
- pboardmacOS systemThe clipboard service: holds what you copy so you can paste it elsewhere.Quit with care
- PerfPowerServicesmacOS systemKeeps records of power and performance data, such as the battery usage history.Quit with care
- photoanalysisdApple serviceAnalyses your photos in the background for Memories, People and searching by what's in them.Quit with care
- photolibrarydApple serviceHandles all requests to your Photos library, from the Photos app and other apps.Quit with care
- pkdmacOS systemManages app plug-ins and extensions (PlugInKit), such as share, Finder and widget extensions.Quit with care
- postgres (PostgreSQL)Developer toolsThe PostgreSQL database server, often installed for development via Homebrew or Postgres.app.Quit with care
- PowerChimemacOS systemPlays the little chime when you plug a charger into a MacBook.Quit with care
- powerdmacOS systemManages sleep, wake, battery and charging, and tracks apps asking to keep the Mac awake.Don't quit
- Probably a background daemonmacOS systemLikely a background daemon; macOS service names often end in 'd'. Check its location to be sure.Quit with care
- python3 (Python)Developer toolsThe Python programming language running a script, tool or app on your Mac.Safe to quit
- QEMUDeveloper toolsA virtual machine emulator used by tools like UTM, the Android Emulator and Colima.Quit with care
- Quick Look (QuickLookUIService)macOS systemMakes file previews and thumbnails, like when you press Space on a file in Finder.Quit with care
- rapportdApple serviceLets your Apple devices talk to each other for Continuity features like call handoff.Quit with care
- RaycastThird-partyThe Raycast launcher, plus its background process that runs extensions.Safe to quit
- replaydmacOS systemHandles screen and in-app recording and broadcasting for apps that use ReplayKit.Quit with care
- ReportCrashmacOS systemWrites a crash report whenever an app or background process crashes.Quit with care
- revisiondmacOS systemStores earlier versions of your documents for 'Revert To' and 'Browse All Versions'.Quit with care
- routinedApple serviceLearns places you visit often (Significant Locations) to offer location-based suggestions.Quit with care
- rubyDeveloper toolsThe Ruby language running a script or tool, such as Rails, CocoaPods or Homebrew.Safe to quit
- runningboarddmacOS systemDecides how much priority and freedom each running app and helper gets.Don't quit
- SafariApple appApple's web browser. Web pages themselves run in separate WebKit processes.Safe to quit
- sandboxdSecuritySupports the app sandbox, which limits what apps can access, and logs blocked attempts.Quit with care
- ScreenTimeAgentApple serviceSupports Screen Time: app usage reports, limits and Downtime.Quit with care
- searchpartydApple servicePart of Find My: handles the encrypted offline finding network for your devices and AirTags.Quit with care
- secdSecurityControls access to keychain items and keeps iCloud Keychain in sync.Quit with care
- securitydSecurityGuards your keychain and handles encryption, keeping passwords and private keys safe.Don't quit
- sharedfilelistdmacOS systemKeeps your Recent Items, Open Recent lists and some Finder sidebar favourites.Quit with care
- sharingdApple servicePowers AirDrop, Handoff, Instant Hotspot and other sharing features.Quit with care
- SimulatorDeveloper toolsXcode's Simulator app, which runs virtual iPhones, iPads and other Apple devices.Safe to quit
- siriactionsdApple serviceRuns and syncs your Shortcuts, plus related Shortcuts tasks.Quit with care
- SlackThird-partyThe Slack messaging app (built on Electron) and its helper processes.Safe to quit
- smdmacOS systemInstalls and manages helper tools and login items that apps register with macOS.Quit with care
- socketfilterfwSecurityThe built-in macOS firewall, controlling which apps may accept incoming connections.Quit with care
- softwareupdatedApple serviceChecks for, downloads and prepares macOS updates.Quit with care
- SourceKitServiceDeveloper toolsPowers Swift code completion, syntax highlighting and error checking in Xcode.Quit with care
- spindumpmacOS systemRecords what an unresponsive app was doing, usually when it hangs or is force quit.Quit with care
- SpotifyThird-partyThe Spotify music app and its helper processes.Safe to quit
- SpotlightApple serviceThe Spotlight search window and menu bar search you open with Command-Space.Quit with care
- Spotlight indexing workerApple serviceA Spotlight worker that reads files so they can be found in search.Quit with care
- SteamThird-partyThe Steam gaming client; Steam Helper processes draw its web-based interface.Safe to quit
- storedownloaddApple serviceDownloads apps and updates from the Mac App Store.Quit with care
- SubmitDiagInfomacOS systemPeriodically sends diagnostic reports to Apple if you opted in, and cleans up old ones.Quit with care
- suggestdApple serviceFinds contacts, events and other details in your content to power Siri Suggestions.Quit with care
- swift-frontendDeveloper toolsThe Swift compiler. Many copies run at once while Xcode or SwiftPM builds your code.Quit with care
- symptomsdmacOS systemPart of Apple's Symptoms framework, which watches network conditions to help diagnose problems.Quit with care
- sysextdmacOS systemManages system extensions, the modern replacement for kernel extensions (VPNs, security tools, drivers).Quit with care
- syslogdmacOS systemThe older Apple System Log server, still used by some apps and tools to record messages.Quit with care
- sysmondmacOS systemThe system monitor daemon that supplies process statistics to tools like Activity Monitor.Quit with care
- syspolicydSecurityGatekeeper's engine: checks new apps and software before macOS lets them run.Quit with care
- System SettingsApple appThe app where you change your Mac's settings.Safe to quit
- systemstatsmacOS systemGathers statistics about system power use for macOS's energy tracking.Quit with care
- SystemUIServermacOS systemHosts some menu bar items and other bits of the system interface.Quit with care
- talagentdmacOS systemHelps apps restore their windows and state when you reopen them (Transparent App Lifecycle).Quit with care
- taskgatedSecurityDecides whether one program may inspect or control another, such as a debugger attaching to an app.Quit with care
- TaskglassThird-partyThe app you're using right now: it measures your Mac and explains what it finds.Safe to quit
- tccdSecurityEnforces privacy permissions: camera, microphone, screen recording, files, contacts and more.Quit with care
- thermalmonitordmacOS systemWatches your Mac's temperature and helps decide when the system needs to slow down to cool off.Don't quit
- timedmacOS systemKeeps your Mac's clock accurate by syncing with time servers.Quit with care
- trialdApple serviceDownloads and manages Apple's 'Trial' data, used for system experiments and machine learning.Quit with care
- trustdSecurityChecks that security certificates are valid, for websites, apps and secure connections.Quit with care
- UniversalControlmacOS systemLets one keyboard and mouse control nearby Macs and iPads (Universal Control).Quit with care
- UsageTrackingAgentApple serviceTracks app and website usage against the limits you set in Screen Time.Quit with care
- usbmuxdmacOS systemHandles communication between your Mac and connected iPhones or iPads over USB or Wi-Fi.Quit with care
- UserEventAgentmacOS systemReacts to system events like network changes and device connections using Apple's plug-ins.Quit with care
- usernotedmacOS systemDelivers notifications from apps and the system so they can appear on screen.Quit with care
- VDCAssistantmacOS systemLets apps capture video from the FaceTime camera or USB webcams.Quit with care
- Virtualization.framework VMmacOS systemA virtual machine run by Apple's Virtualization framework for apps like Docker, UTM or OrbStack.Quit with care
- Visual Studio CodeDeveloper toolsMicrosoft's Visual Studio Code editor and its main helper processes.Safe to quit
- VTDecoderXPCServicemacOS systemDecodes (and encodes) video for apps using Apple's VideoToolbox, often with hardware help.Quit with care
- WallpaperAgentmacOS systemDraws your desktop wallpaper, including the moving aerial and dynamic wallpapers.Quit with care
- watchdogdmacOS systemChecks that macOS stays healthy and responsive, and recovers it if the system gets stuck.Don't quit
- WebKit GPU (Safari Graphics and Media)Apple appHandles graphics, video and audio for web pages in Safari and other WebKit apps.Quit with care
- WebKit NetworkingApple appHandles network traffic for Safari and other apps that use WebKit to show web content.Quit with care
- WebKit processApple appA WebKit process that shows web content for Safari or another app.Quit with care
- WebKit Web Content (Safari Web Content)Apple appRuns one or more web pages in a separate process for Safari and other apps that show web content.Safe to quit
- WiFiAgentmacOS systemHandles Wi-Fi tasks for you, like login pages and network prompts, on behalf of airportd.Quit with care
- WindowManagermacOS systemPowers Stage Manager and related window-management features.Quit with care
- WindowServermacOS systemDraws every window, menu and animation you see on screen, and routes your clicks and keystrokes.Don't quit
- XCBBuildService / SWBBuildServiceDeveloper toolsXcode's build system service, which plans and runs your project's builds.Quit with care
- XcodeDeveloper toolsApple's app for building Mac, iPhone and iPad apps.Safe to quit
- XPC servicemacOS systemA small helper service that an app or macOS starts on demand to do one specific job.Quit with care
- XProtect (XprotectService)SecuritymacOS's built-in anti-malware: scans apps for known malware and removes infections.Quit with care
- Zoom (zoom.us)Third-partyThe Zoom video meetings app; zoom.us is its main process.Safe to quit
- zsh (shell)Developer toolsThe command-line shell that runs inside Terminal windows and scripts.Quit with care
See it live in Taskglass.
Taskglass explains every process as it runs, groups helpers under their app and shows whether each one is safe, right on your Mac.