How to Display Custom Text on Your macOS Desktop

To display custom text directly on a macOS desktop, use GeekTool’s Shell Geeklet to show the output of a plain-text file. You write a reminder or checklist in a .txt file, place a Shell Geeklet on the desktop, and point it to that file. GeekTool runs the command and puts its output over the wallpaper.

Check compatibility first. GeekTool is a third-party utility. Its developer’s download page currently lists version 3.4, but does not provide a current macOS compatibility chart. Confirm that the app supports your macOS release before installing it, and do not bypass a macOS security warning to force an install. If GeekTool is unavailable on your Mac, Apple’s built-in Stickies app can keep a note on the desktop while it is open.

1. Create a plain-text file

Open TextEdit, choose File > New, then choose Format > Make Plain Text. Enter the message you want to see, using separate lines for a short checklist or reminder. Plain text is important because GeekTool will print the file’s characters as command output; rich-text formatting is not needed.

Save the file to your Desktop as desktop-note.txt. TextEdit can create both rich-text and plain-text documents, so check the format before saving. Apple’s TextEdit guide explains how to convert a document to plain text and save it as a .txt file.

2. Add a Shell Geeklet

Download GeekTool from the developer’s official site, following the installation instructions provided with the download. Open GeekTool. Its main window lists the available Geeklets; the developer’s quick-start guide says to drag the Shell module onto the desktop. Drop it where you want the text to appear. GeekTool creates a frame for the output and opens an Inspector for that Geeklet.

3. Point the command to your file

In the Inspector’s Command field, enter:

cat ~/Desktop/desktop-note.txt

The cat command reads the file and prints its contents, which is what GeekTool displays. The tilde (~) stands for your home folder. If you saved the file somewhere else or gave it another name, update the path to match. For a path that contains spaces, use quotes around the full path, for example:

cat "$HOME/Desktop/desktop-note.txt"

As soon as the Shell Geeklet runs the command, its frame should show the text. This command only reads the file; it does not edit your note or change your wallpaper. GeekTool’s official documentation describes Shell Geeklets as a way to display the output of a Unix shell command.

4. Position and style the text

Move the Geeklet frame to place the text. In the Inspector, use the font and text-color controls to choose a readable style; the official quick-start also documents text alignment. Pick a color with enough contrast against the wallpaper, and leave room for the longest line so it is not clipped. A quieter area of the desktop usually makes a reminder easier to scan.

GeekTool places Geeklets on the desktop layer, around Finder icons and the wallpaper. They are not lock-screen messages, and open windows can cover them. The developer documentation notes that a Geeklet can be set to stay on top, if that behavior is available in your version.

Keep the text updated and visible

To change the message, edit desktop-note.txt in TextEdit and save it. GeekTool must run the Shell command again to show the new contents. If the display still shows the old text, reopen GeekTool and check that the command points to the file you edited; you can also refresh or reopen the Geeklet from its controls if your version provides that option.

Keep GeekTool running for the text to remain on the desktop. Closing its settings window is different from quitting the app; if you quit GeekTool, the Geeklet stops displaying output. To start it automatically after you sign in, open Apple menu > System Settings > General > Login Items & Extensions. Under Open at Login, click the add button, select GeekTool, then click Add. Apple’s login-items guide covers this setting.

Quick fixes

• Nothing appears: Confirm the file is saved as plain text, the filename is exactly desktop-note.txt, and the path in the Command field matches its location.
• The output is cut off: Move or enlarge the Geeklet frame, or shorten the longest line.
• The note disappears after you log in: Make sure GeekTool opens at login and remains allowed to run on your Mac.
• GeekTool will not open: Check the developer’s compatibility information for your macOS version. If it is not supported, use Stickies instead: create a note with File > New Note, then choose Window > Float on Top to keep it above other windows while Stickies is open.