- name
- printer
- description
- Manage printers via CUPS on macOS (discover, add, print, queue, status, wake).
- metadata
- {"clawdbot":{"emoji":"🖨️","os":["darwin"],"requires":{"bins":["lp","lpstat","lpadmin"]}}}
Printer (CUPS)
Control printers on macOS using built-in CUPS commands. No external CLI needed.
Discover printers
# Network printers (Bonjour/AirPrint)
dns-sd -B _ipp._tcp . 2>/dev/null & sleep 3; kill $! 2>/dev/null
# Get printer details (host, port, resource path)
dns-sd -L "Printer Name" _ipp._tcp . 2>/dev/null & sleep 3; kill $! 2>/dev/null
# CUPS-native discovery
lpstat -e # available network destinations
lpinfo --include-schemes dnssd -v # dnssd backends
# IPP discovery
ippfind --timeout 5Add a printer (driverless IPP Everywhere)
# Recommended: driverless queue
lpadmin -p MyPrinter -E -v "ipp://printer.local:631/ipp/print" -m everywhere
# Set as default
lpadmin -d MyPrinter
# Enable SNMP supply reporting (toner levels)
sudo lpadmin -p MyPrinter -o cupsSNMPSupplies=truePrint files
lp filename.pdf # to default printer
lp -d MyPrinter filename.pdf # specific printer
lp -d MyPrinter -n 2 file.pdf # 2 copies
lp -d MyPrinter -o sides=two-sided-long-edge file.pdf # duplex
lp -d MyPrinter -o media=letter file.pdf
lp -d MyPrinter -o ColorModel=Gray file.pdf # grayscale
# Print text directly
echo "Hello World" | lp -d MyPrinterQueue management
# Check status
lpstat -p MyPrinter # printer status
lpstat -o MyPrinter # queued jobs
lpstat -t # everything
lpq -P MyPrinter # BSD-style queue view
# Cancel jobs
cancel JOB_ID
cancel -a MyPrinter # cancel all
# Enable/disable
cupsenable MyPrinter # resume printing
cupsdisable MyPrinter # pause printer
cupsaccept MyPrinter # accept new jobs
cupsreject MyPrinter # reject new jobsPrinter options
# List available options for a printer
lpoptions -p MyPrinter -l
# Set default options (per-user)
lpoptions -p MyPrinter -o sides=two-sided-long-edge
# Set server-side defaults
sudo lpadmin -p MyPrinter -o sides-default=two-sided-long-edgeStatus and diagnostics
# IPP status query (detailed)
ipptool -t ipp://PRINTER_IP/ipp/print get-printer-attributes.test
# Filter for key info
ipptool -t ipp://PRINTER_IP/ipp/print get-printer-attributes.test \
| grep -iE 'printer-state|marker|supply|media|error'Wake printer from sleep
# IPP poke (usually wakes the printer)
ipptool -q -T 5 ipp://PRINTER_IP/ipp/print get-printer-attributes.test
# HTTP poke (wakes web UI stack)
curl -s -m 5 http://PRINTER_IP/ >/dev/null
# TCP connect test
nc -zw2 PRINTER_IP 631Keep-alive (prevent deep sleep)
# Poll every 5 minutes (runs in foreground)
ipptool -q -T 3 -i 300 ipp://PRINTER_IP/ipp/print get-printer-attributes.testFor persistent keep-alive, create a launchd agent.
Toner levels via SNMP
Requires brew install net-snmp:
snmpwalk -v2c -c public PRINTER_IP 1.3.6.1.2.1.43.11.1.1Note: SNMP may be disabled on the printer. Check Remote UI settings.
Remote UI (web interface)
Most network printers expose a web UI at http://PRINTER_IP/ for:
- Sleep/timer settings (Settings > Timer Settings > Auto Sleep Time)
- Network protocol config (enable/disable IPP, SNMP, raw 9100)
- Consumables status
Troubleshooting
# Printer stuck/disabled? Re-enable it
cupsenable MyPrinter
# Check device URI
lpstat -v MyPrinter
# Remove and re-add printer
lpadmin -x MyPrinter
lpadmin -p MyPrinter -E -v "ipp://..." -m everywhere
# CUPS error log
tail -f /var/log/cups/error_logNotes
- Prefer
ipp://oripps://URIs over raw 9100 or LPD -m everywhereauto-configures from printer's IPP capabilities- Option names vary by printer; use
lpoptions -lto discover - Sleep settings are best configured via printer's Remote UI
- Auto-sleep (1 min) keeps services alive - print jobs wake the printer automatically
- If the printer is completely unresponsive (IPP port closed, HTTP timeout), it's likely in deep sleep or powered off. Message the user to check/wake the printer physically.