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Ghostty
What it is
Ghostty is a free, open-source terminal emulator for macOS and Linux. It supports multiple windows, tabs, and splits through native interface components. GPU rendering uses Metal on macOS and OpenGL on Linux; its shared core, libghostty, provides terminal emulation, font handling, and rendering through a cross-platform C ABI.
Ghostty includes hundreds of themes and can switch automatically to match system light and dark mode. It supports the Kitty graphics protocol for displaying images in the terminal and automatic shell integration for bash, elvish, fish, nushell, and zsh. Its SSH integration can forward environment variables and install Ghostty terminfo entries on remote hosts. On macOS, Secure Keyboard Entry helps protect passwords from other processes, and official binaries are signed and notarized by the project. Ghostty is licensed under MIT and fiscally sponsored by Hack Club. There is no dedicated support team; community help is available through GitHub Discussions and Discord.
For and against
For
- GPU rendering uses Metal on macOS and OpenGL on Linux.
- Supports windows, tabs, and split panes.
- Includes hundreds of themes and automatic light-dark switching.
- SSH integration can forward environment variables.
- Official macOS binaries are signed and notarized.
Against
- Available platforms are macOS and Linux.
- No dedicated support team or support resources.
The verdict
Ghostty combines GPU rendering with shell, SSH, and theme features in a free terminal emulator. Its community support model is an important consideration for anyone who needs dedicated assistance.
Who it suits
Ghostty suits terminal users on macOS or Linux who want native windows, tabs, and split panes, along with shell and SSH integrations. Users should be comfortable relying on community-provided help.
Plans and prices
Ghostty
No commercial backing · no dedicated support team
Read 1 Oct 2026 · ghostty.org
On the record
- Architecture
- Its shared core, libghostty, provides terminal emulation, font handling, and rendering through a cross-platform C ABI.ghostty.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Distribution security
- Official macOS binaries are signed and notarized by the Ghostty project.ghostty.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- GPU acceleration
- Yesgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Graphics protocol
- Ghostty supports the Kitty graphics protocol for rendering images in the terminal.ghostty.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- macOS security
- Ghostty supports macOS Secure Keyboard Entry to protect passwords from other processes.ghostty.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Product
- Ghostty is a fast, feature-rich, native terminal emulator.ghostty.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Project governance
- Ghostty is fiscally sponsored by Hack Club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and remains licensed under the MIT license.ghostty.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Rendering
- Ghostty uses Metal on macOS and OpenGL on Linux for GPU-accelerated rendering.ghostty.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Scripting API
- Yesgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Shell integrations
- Automatic shell integration is provided for bash, elvish, fish, nushell, and zsh.ghostty.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Split panes
- Yesgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- SSH integration
- Its SSH integration can forward environment variables and install Ghostty terminfo entries on remote hosts.ghostty.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- SSH support
- Yesgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Support
- Ghostty has no support team or dedicated support resources; help is community-provided through GitHub Discussions and Discord.ghostty.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Supported platforms
- macOS,Linuxgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Terminal UI
- It supports multiple windows, tabs, and splits using native UI components.ghostty.org · read 1 Oct 2026
- Themes
- Ghostty ships with hundreds of themes and can switch themes automatically with system light and dark mode.ghostty.org · read 1 Oct 2026
