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Tech riderRev. 22 Sept 2026

Macterm

Ch 325.9of 40 Terminal Emulators
  1. 1Runs onMac, self-hosted
  2. 2CostsNot stated by the maker
  3. 3Supported platformsmacOS
  4. 4Split panesYes
  5. 5Scripting APIYes
  6. 6SSH supportYes
5 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: macterm.thdxg.dev
Visit site Alternatives
The Macterm homepage

Overview

Macterm is ranked #32 of 40 in terminal emulators on Specifiction. It runs on macOS, Self-hosted.

Compared on terminal emulators

Free plan
Yesmacterm.thdxg.dev
Supported platforms
macOSmacterm.thdxg.dev
Split panes
Yesmacterm.thdxg.dev
Scripting API
Yesmacterm.thdxg.dev
SSH support
Yesmacterm.thdxg.dev

Facts

Product
Macterm is a lightweight native macOS terminal built on libghostty.macterm.thdxg.dev · 8 Oct 2026
License
The product is MIT licensed.macterm.thdxg.dev · 8 Oct 2026
Minimum OS
Macterm requires macOS 14 or later.macterm.thdxg.dev · 8 Oct 2026
Session persistence
Quitting detaches shells; relaunching restores sessions, scrollback, and running processes.macterm.thdxg.dev · 8 Oct 2026
Multiplexing
Users can split panes in any direction and move between panes by keybind or drag and drop.macterm.thdxg.dev · 8 Oct 2026
Workspace layouts
YAML project files can declare tabs, splits, and per-pane commands for Macterm to build when opened.macterm.thdxg.dev · 8 Oct 2026
Remote projects
Macterm opens directories on another machine over SSH, with persistent remote panes powered by zmx installed on the host.macterm.thdxg.dev · 8 Oct 2026
Automation
The bundled macterm CLI controls the running app over a local Unix socket and supports scriptable JSON output.macterm.thdxg.dev · 8 Oct 2026
Agent support
The CLI can print skills for coding agents to use Macterm panes and persistent workspaces.macterm.thdxg.dev · 8 Oct 2026
Configuration compatibility
Macterm reads existing Ghostty configuration files, including themes, fonts, palettes, and keybinds.macterm.thdxg.dev · 8 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
Updates
Sparkle handles updates and verifies an EdDSA signature on each update.github.com · 8 Oct 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
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
Distribution
Macterm is available as a Homebrew cask or as a downloadable DMG from GitHub Releases.macterm.thdxg.dev · 8 Oct 2026
System requirement
Macterm requires macOS 14 or later.macterm.thdxg.dev · 9 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
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
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
Installation
The maker documents installation through Homebrew or a downloadable DMG, with Sparkle handling app updates.macterm.thdxg.dev · 9 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

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Where it ranks on Specifiction

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Sources