Terminal · Apple
Terminal (macOS)
Apple's built-in macOS terminal app with tabs, split panes, profiles, window groups and AppleScript automation. It has a New Remote Connection command, but Apple's guide does not describe what protocols it supports.
~/facts
- platforms
- macOSBundled with macOS (Applications/Utilities). Guide checked is for macOS 27 Golden Gate, Terminal version 2.15; older versions of the guide exist back to macOS 10.13.
- price
- FreeIncluded with macOS; not sold separately (seen 2026-10-21). Apple's guide does not state a price.
- source
- ProprietaryLicence: Proprietary (part of macOS)
~/features
- ? not verified SSH
- ✓ yes Tabs
- ✓ yes Split panes
- ? not verified SFTP
- ? not verified Port forwarding
- ✓ yes Scripting / API
- ? not verified AI agents
- ? not verified MCP
- ? not verified Cloud sync
✓ documented · – absent or not in its feature list · ? not verified
+ strengths
- Preinstalled on macOS, no install or licence needed
- Tabs, split panes (Command-D) and savable window groups
- AppleScript dictionary lets scripts control Terminal windows
- Import/export of profiles
! weak points
- macOS only
- Closed source, tied to OS release cycle
- Guide does not list SSH, port forwarding or sync features
- No documented plugin/API beyond AppleScript
~/who it is for
- best for
- Mac users who want a default, no-install terminal with basic tabs and splits.
- look elsewhere if
- Users who need cross-platform consistency, built-in SSH/session management or AI features.
~/sources
Checked 2026-10-20. Prices and features change; the vendor's page is the authority.
- support.apple.com/guide/terminal/welcome/mac — guide overview, macOS 27 / Terminal 2.15, topics list
- support.apple.com/guide/terminal/what-is-terminal-trmld4c92d55/mac — what Terminal is
- support.apple.com/guide/terminal/open-new-terminal-windows-and-tabs-trmlb20c7888/mac — tabs
- support.apple.com/guide/terminal/keyboard-shortcuts-trmlshtcts/mac — split pane Command-D, New remote connection Shift-Command-K, tabs
- support.apple.com/guide/terminal/automate-tasks-using-applescript-and-terminal-trml1003/mac — AppleScript automation, /Applications/Utilities
- support.apple.com/guide/terminal/use-window-groups-trml15652/mac — window groups, restore remote connections
Not verified
- ssh null: the guide lists a 'New remote connection' shortcut (Shift-Command-K) and mentions restoring remote connections, but does not say which protocols; not confirmed as a dedicated SSH feature
- open_source false and licence 'Proprietary' follow the task brief; the Apple guide itself does not state licensing
- Price 'included with macOS' follows the brief; Apple's guide only places it in /Applications/Utilities
- ai_agents, cloud_sync, team_sharing and others not mentioned in the guide (null)
- Whether macOS 27 Terminal has AI features not checked beyond the guide