macOS processes › Power and performance
What is runningboardd on Mac?
runningboardd keeps track of running apps and processes and manages their priority, such as whether something is in the foreground, allowed to run in the background, or can be suspended.
What it does
When apps launch, move to the background or quit, macOS uses runningboardd to update their state and the resources they're allowed. The same system runs on iPhone and iPad, and modern Mac apps and extensions rely on it.
Why it gets busy
- Many apps or extensions launching and quitting at once.
- An app or extension that keeps crashing and relaunching.
Why is runningboardd using so much CPU?
runningboardd tracks app states. It gets busy when apps or extensions start and stop constantly, often because one keeps crashing.
Is it safe to quit?
Apps depend on it to launch and run. macOS restarts it, but apps can misbehave until you restart the Mac.
How to calm it down
- Check Console's Crash Reports for an app or extension crashing repeatedly.
- Quit apps you're not using.
- If it stays high after the crashing app is dealt with, a restart resets the state it tracks.
In SystemWatch
SystemWatch's History shows runningboardd's spikes next to the app that was launching or crashing at the time.
