What it does
Ghostty is a terminal emulator with native macOS and Linux applications and a shared core. Its repository describes libghostty as an embeddable library for building terminal emulators or using terminal functionality in other applications. The documentation recommends trying Ghostty with its defaults before customizing it, then explains its text-based configuration format. The download page lists a universal macOS binary and Linux package-manager or source-build options.
Start with the defaults, then adjust a keybinding
Ghostty's configuration guide says it is designed to work out of the box for most users. When you want a change, the guide shows a key = value format and examples such as keybind = ctrl+d=new_split:right. It also documents default shortcuts for reloading configuration: ctrl+shift+, on Linux and cmd+shift+, on macOS. Some options cannot be reloaded or may apply only to new terminals, so check the reference for settings you change.
The download page lists version 1.3.1, a universal macOS binary requiring macOS 13 or later, and Linux package-manager or build-from-source options. The repository also describes libghostty as an embeddable library, a distinct use from installing the terminal application. The repository's LICENSE starts with “MIT License.” Its main-branch commit feed includes gtk: never resize a split smaller than one cell (#14476), dated 2026-10-25, as well as later Update VOUCHED list entries. These are activity findings, not hands-on test results.
Strengths
- Configuration is optional, and the official guide encourages starting with the defaults.
- The configuration reference includes keybindings and explains when changes take effect.
- The repository describes libghostty for projects that need embeddable terminal functionality.
Watch out for
- The configuration guide says text-based configuration is currently the only configuration method.
- The listed macOS binary requires macOS 13 or later.
Best for
- Developers who want a native terminal application on macOS or Linux.
- People who want to customize terminal behavior through a documented configuration file.
- Developers exploring an embeddable terminal library for their own applications.
Sources
- Ghostty (Oct 25, 2026)
- Configuration (Oct 25, 2026)
- About Ghostty (Oct 25, 2026)
- Download Ghostty (Oct 25, 2026)
- MIT License | Ghostty (Oct 25, 2026)
- Recent Commits to ghostty:main (Oct 25, 2026)