Macterm

Free plan MacSelf-hosted

What Macterm is

Macterm is a free native macOS terminal built on libghostty and licensed under MIT. It requires macOS 14 or later and is distributed through Homebrew or a downloadable DMG. Quitting detaches shells; reopening restores sessions, scrollback, and running processes. Panes can split in any direction and can be selected by keybind or drag and drop. YAML project files define tabs, splits, and per-pane commands for workspaces built when opened. Macterm can open directories on another machine over SSH, with persistent remote panes powered by zmx installed on the host. Its bundled CLI controls the running app through a local Unix socket and supports scriptable JSON output, with documentation for scripts and coding agents. Existing Ghostty configuration files, including themes, fonts, palettes, and keybinds, are readable. Passwords from prompts can be saved to the keychain and filled after Touch ID or the login password.

Who it suits

It suits macOS users who want persistent terminal sessions, split-pane workspaces, SSH projects, or command-line automation. Its CLI documentation specifically addresses scripts and coding agents.

What it does well

Restores shells, scrollback, and running processes
Supports flexible split panes
Builds workspaces from YAML files
Provides SSH remote projects
Reads existing Ghostty configuration

What to know first

Requires macOS 14 or later
Remote projects need zmx preinstalled
No zmx upload flow is available
Control socket has no token authentication

Verdict

Macterm combines persistent sessions, configurable panes, SSH workspaces, and a scriptable CLI in a focused macOS terminal. Remote-project setup and the local socket security model deserve attention before adoption.

Facts from Macterm's own pages

Agent support: The CLI can print skills for coding agents to use Macterm panes and persistent workspaces. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 8 Oct 2026
Audience: Macterm's CLI documentation describes automation for scripts and coding agents, including commands to create panes and run commands. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 9 Oct 2026
Automation: The bundled macterm CLI controls the running app over a local Unix socket and supports scriptable JSON output. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 9 Oct 2026
CLI access control: The control socket is restricted to the same user through filesystem permissions, with no token authentication. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 9 Oct 2026
Configuration compatibility: Macterm reads existing Ghostty configuration, including themes, fonts, and keybinds. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Distribution: Macterm is available as a Homebrew cask or as a downloadable DMG from GitHub Releases. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 8 Oct 2026
Free plan: Yes · macterm.thdxg.dev, 22 Sept 2026
Installation: The maker documents installation through Homebrew or a downloadable DMG, with Sparkle handling app updates. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 9 Oct 2026
License: Macterm is MIT licensed. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 9 Oct 2026
Minimum OS: Macterm requires macOS 14 or later. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 8 Oct 2026
Multiplexing: Users can split panes, move them between tabs, and restore project, tab, and split layouts after relaunch. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Password autofill: Macterm can offer to save passwords from SSH, sudo, and other prompts to the keychain and fill them after Touch ID or the login password. · github.com, 9 Oct 2026
Password storage: Macterm can save passwords to the keychain and offer autofill after Touch ID or the login password when the same prompt appears. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 8 Oct 2026
Product: Macterm is a native macOS terminal with vertical project tabs and persistent sessions, built on libghostty. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 9 Oct 2026
Remote project limitation: Remote projects require zmx to be preinstalled on the host; the docs say there is no upload flow yet. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 8 Oct 2026
Remote project requirement: Remote projects require SSH access and zmx installed on the host; Macterm has no zmx upload flow yet. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 9 Oct 2026
Remote projects: Macterm opens remote directories over SSH and keeps their zmx sessions running on the remote host when the app quits or the connection drops. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 9 Oct 2026
Scripting API: Yes · macterm.thdxg.dev, 22 Sept 2026
Security boundary: The CLI control socket is restricted to the same user by filesystem permissions and does not use token authentication. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 8 Oct 2026
Session persistence: Quitting detaches shells; relaunching restores sessions, scrollback, and running processes. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 8 Oct 2026
Split panes: Yes · macterm.thdxg.dev, 22 Sept 2026
SSH support: Yes · macterm.thdxg.dev, 22 Sept 2026
Supported platforms: macOS · macterm.thdxg.dev, 22 Sept 2026
System requirement: Macterm requires macOS 14 or later. · macterm.thdxg.dev, 9 Oct 2026

Where Macterm stands on Freedom251

Terminal Emulators#25 of 40
Terminal apps#33 of 41