---
name: "sysctl.conf"
section: "5"
platform: "macos"
package: "system_cmds"
version: "1042.120.1"
release: "macOS 26.5"
platforms: ["linux", "freebsd", "openbsd", "macos"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/sysctl.conf"
---

# sysctl.conf(5)

kernel state defaults

## NAME

**sysctl.conf** – kernel state defaults

## DESCRIPTION

The */etc/sysctl.conf* file is read in when the system goes into multi-user mode to set default settings for the kernel. The */etc/sysctl.conf* is in the format of the [sysctl(8)](/sysctl/8.md) command, i.e.

```
sysctl_mib=value
```

Comments are denoted by a “#” at the beginning of a line.

## FILES

- */etc/sysctl.conf*

  Initial settings for [sysctl(8)](/sysctl/8.md).

## EXAMPLES

To disable coredumps, you may use a configuration like:

```
# Disable coredumps.
kern.coredump=0
```

## SEE ALSO

[sysctl(8)](/sysctl/8.md)

## HISTORY

The **sysctl.conf** file appeared in FreeBSD 4.0.

## BUGS

If loadable kernel modules are used to introduce additional kernel functionality and sysctls to manage that functionality, **sysctl.conf** may be processed too early in the boot process to set those sysctls.