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SPECIFICTION
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Coterm

coterm.cc

Free plan Open source macOSiOSAPISelf-hosted
Visit coterm.cc
Spec score 8.7 #6 of 26 in Pair Programming Software

What it is

Coterm is a native macOS workspace for two developers sharing a terminal, browser, and coding-agent session in real time. A live room lets both people join, follow terminal activity, see participants, and share previews. The shared workflow lists Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Gemini CLI, Aider, Amp, Cursor Agent, and other CLI agents. Coterm uses a Ghostty-based terminal with vertical tabs, a notification panel, and a socket control API. A CLI and Unix socket expose programmatic commands, while integration hooks can be configured for Claude Code, Amp, Cursor, Gemini, and Kiro CLI. The Mac app runs locally without a Coterm-hosted account service. Collaboration components can run in the user's Cloudflare account. Installation is available through DMG or Homebrew on macOS 14.0 or later, for Apple Silicon and Intel. An iOS companion is in beta. Coterm is free under GPL-3.0-or-later.

Spec sheet

What it does
Coterm is a native macOS terminal and browser workspace for pairing around AI coding-agent sessions.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Integrations
Automation hooks are documented for Claude Code, Amp, Cursor, Gemini CLI and Kiro CLI.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Privacy
The privacy policy says the app may collect crash diagnostics, OS and app versions, and anonymous usage patterns, and that it does not sell personal information for marketing.Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
License
Coterm’s source is published under the GPL-3.0-or-later license.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Company
The site's legal pages identify the company as emergent.inc.Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Account requirement
The Mac app works locally without a Coterm-hosted account service, and pair programming is self-hosted.Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Agent hibernation
An opt-in setting can suspend idle off-screen coding-agent processes and restore them when their tab is revisited.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Agent support
The site lists Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Gemini CLI, Aider, Amp, Cursor Agent, and other CLI agents as supported in the shared workflow.Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Build from source
The repository instructions require cloning with submodules, running setup scripts and using Xcode for a macOS build.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
CLI and socket API
Coterm exposes a CLI and newline-delimited JSON Unix-socket interface for workspace, pane, notification and sidebar control.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Company identity
The public GitHub organization behind the repository is named Mana, lists the United States and links to mana.am; no legal company name or founding year is stated there.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Company size
No Coterm-specific employee count, headquarters address, funding record or Crunchbase profile was stated on the opened official and company pages.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Configuration format
Settings use commented JSON with a published schema and support global and project-local coterm.json files.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Core app features
The docs describe a Ghostty-based terminal with vertical tabs, a notification panel, and a socket-based control API.Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Data handling
The iOS documentation says interactive terminal content and keystrokes flow directly between the phone and Mac rather than through Coterm servers.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Distribution
Homebrew lists a coterm cask, but its description identifies a different Datadog terminal-recording utility rather than the coterm.cc product.Read 15 Oct 2026 · formulae.brew.sh
Documentation depth
The documentation covers configuration keys, keyboard shortcuts, skills, browser automation, diagnostics, customization and API commands.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Embedded browser
Coterm includes browser panes with configurable search engines, URL routing, download behavior and developer tools.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
File previews
The app can preview text, code, PDFs, images, audio, video and Quick Look files inside Coterm.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Independent discussion
A Reddit post describes Coterm as free, open source and self-hosted, while warning that early builds were rough, macOS-only and initially not notarized.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Independent recommendation
A software-comparison page presents Coterm as an option for pairing around Claude Code, Codex and other CLI agents, emphasizing self-hosting.Read 15 Oct 2026 · parse.gl
Installation and requirements
The app can be installed from a DMG or Homebrew and requires macOS 14.0 or later on Apple Silicon or Intel Macs.Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
iOS companion
An iOS beta app is distributed through TestFlight and requires a Mac running Coterm plus a network path to that Mac.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
iOS networking limit
Coterm does not provide networking for the iOS companion; users must provide connectivity such as Tailscale or WireGuard.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Limit: early maturity
The independent Reddit discussion characterizes early Coterm builds as rough and initially lacking notarization.Read 15 Oct 2026 · reddit.com
Limit: hosted service dependency
Pair programming requires deploying and operating the collaboration backend in the customer’s Cloudflare account.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Limit: platform scope
The official site says the desktop app is native to macOS, so Windows and Linux desktop support are not stated.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Live collaboration
A host can share a Coterm room so an approved guest can work in the same terminal and browser workspace.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Local data handling
The terms say the application runs locally and user code, files, and content are not transmitted to Coterm's servers during normal use.Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Markdown viewer
Coterm can render Markdown files in a built-in viewer with live reload and configurable typography.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Mobile network and data
The iOS app's terminal stream goes directly between the phone and Mac over the user's network; forwarded notification text can pass through Coterm servers and Apple's push service.Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Notification privacy
When notification forwarding is enabled, terminal notification text passes through Coterm servers and Apple Push Notification service; Hide content can suppress the text.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Pairing features
Two developers can join a live room, follow the terminal, see who is present, and share previews.Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Platform availability
The desktop app is native to macOS, while an iOS companion app is available in beta for attaching to a Mac's terminals.Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Programmatic control
Coterm provides a CLI and Unix socket for programmatic control, with commands available through both interfaces.Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Rating on Apple App Store
not available out of 5 from 0 reviews; the listing says there are not enough ratings to display an overviewRead 15 Oct 2026 · apps.apple.com
SDK example
The API documentation includes a working Python Unix-socket client example and shell examples using netcat.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Self-hosting
The relay, control plane, presence service and approval flow can be deployed into the customer’s own Cloudflare account.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Session restore limit
Coterm restores layout and metadata after relaunch, but does not checkpoint arbitrary live process state; unsupported apps reopen as normal terminals.Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Socket security
Socket access defaults to Coterm-spawned processes only, with off and allow-all modes available.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Supported agents
The site lists Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Gemini CLI, Aider, Amp, Cursor Agent and other CLI agents as compatible.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
System requirement
The official repository describes Coterm as a native macOS app; no minimum macOS version is stated on the pages opened.Read 15 Oct 2026 · github.com
Terminal workspaces
Configuration supports multiple workspaces, terminal tabs, split panes, saved layouts and workspace metadata.Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc

Plans and prices

Coterm Free Free to use · GPL-3.0-or-later · macOS app · optional self-hosted collaboration backend Read 4 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Free Free Free to use macOS desktop app · self-hosted collaboration backend optional · GPL-3.0-or-later source Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc
Founders Edition Priced on request Not stated Includes early access to the beta iOS companion and other early features Read 15 Oct 2026 · coterm.cc

Every Coterm plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Real-time shared terminal and browser sessions
  • Supports multiple listed coding agents
  • Self-hosted collaboration backend option
  • CLI and Unix socket control
  • Free under GPL-3.0-or-later

Limits

  • Desktop app requires macOS 14.0 or later
  • iOS companion remains in beta
  • Live process state is not checkpointed
  • No screen sharing

Who it suits

It suits developers who need real-time pair programming around terminals and coding agents. It also fits users wanting self-hosted collaboration and a macOS desktop app.

Verdict

Coterm combines a local macOS terminal workspace with real-time pair sessions and agent integrations. Its self-hosted collaboration model and broad platform interfaces are central considerations.

Where Specifiction places it

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