Master Ghostty: Install and Customize the New Mac Terminal Tool

Hey friends! I recently discovered Ghostty, a modern terminal replacement for macOS that feels more responsive when working with AI tools such as Codex or Gemini CLI.

Why Choose Ghostty?

The built‑in Terminal can feel sluggish in the AI era—e.g., entering multiline code in Claude Code or opening a new window is cumbersome. Ghostty injects a performance boost and adds features like easy window splitting and better key bindings.

Installing Ghostty

You can install Ghostty directly from the Codex app. If the app refuses to launch, open System Settings → Privacy & Security and allow the program to run.

Alternatively, install via Homebrew:

brew search ghostty
brew install --cask ghostty

Or download the installer from the official website.

Personalizing Ghostty

After installation, you can tweak the theme, font, and window behavior. Below is a sample configuration file you can copy into Ghostty’s config directory and then restart the app.

# Ghostty personalization
theme: light:Catppuccin Latte, dark:Catppuccin Mocha
background-opacity: 0.88
font-family: "Maple Mono NF CN"
# more settings …

Using Ghostty

Ghostty’s shortcuts make workflow faster. Cmd + D opens a second pane in the same tab; Cmd + Shift + D creates a vertical split. Install a compatible font for optimal rendering:

brew install --cask font-maple-mono-nf-cn

Conclusion

If you need a more modern and powerful terminal, Ghostty is worth trying. Check the shortcut list to get the most out of the tool.