Altering Max User Processes in Unix (Mac OS X specific)

Not got enough user processes?

See how many are allowed for the current user:

$ ulimit -u

See the max allowed by the kernel:

$ /usr/sbin/sysctl -a | grep maxproc

kern.maxproc = maximum number for the whole system

kern.maxprocperuid = max per user

To change the kernel maxes:

root:# cat >> /etc/sysctl.conf <<EOF
> kern.maxproc=2048
> kern.maxprocperuid=512
> EOF

And sometimes you also need to change the 'launch' limit. To check the current 'launch' limit:

$ launchctl limit

And to change it permanently:

root:# cat >> /etc/launchd.conf <<EOF
> limit maxproc 2048 4028
> EOF

(where first number is 'soft-limit', the second 'hard-limit'.)

To change the current user's limit (NB: Name of profile file may vary):

$ cat >> ~/.profile <<EOF
> ulimit -u 512
> EOF

Verify the changes:

$ reboot
$ ulimit -u