Install
Grab the DMG or run brew install --cask kaku, then open Kaku and start working.
Kaku書
A modern Mac terminal that looks good, runs fast, and works with AI out of the box.
AI coding
Claude Code at work, its topic shown at the top right
Ready when you open it
Fonts, themes, shortcuts, and shell integration come set up, so there is no config file to write first.
Tabs and panesCmd + T opens a tab, Cmd + D splits, and windows come back after a restart.Fonts and themesJetBrains Mono with Kaku Dark, plus Kaku Light or Auto to follow the system.Fast renderingDraws on the GPU through Metal, in native Mac windows.Shell readyCompletions, syntax highlighting and z work in every Kaku shell.Small touchesCopy on select, and paths and long URLs stay clickable across wraps.Config when you want itkaku config covers common settings, Lua the rest, and most WezTerm configs carry over.
How it compares
iTerm2, Warp, Ghostty, and WezTerm each do something well. Here is where Kaku differs.
| Kaku | iTerm2 | Warp | Ghostty | WezTerm | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Out of the box | Fonts, themes and shell tools set up | Plain until you theme it | Polished, its own interface | Clean native look, add your own tools | Plain until you configure it |
| Updates | About once a week | Last stable Sep 2026 | Weekly builds | Last stable Mar 2026 | Last stable Feb 2024, then nightly |
| AI | Optional, your provider | Optional plugin, your key | Built in, runs on Warp's servers | None built in | None built in |
| Account | None | None | Optional | None | None |
| License | MIT | GPL | AGPL client, closed backend | MIT | MIT |
| Platform | macOS only | macOS | macOS, Linux, Windows | macOS and Linux | macOS, Linux, Windows |
First steps
Install it and go. Set up AI and the rest when you need them.
AI setup
When you need AI, run kaku ai to use your Codex connection or configure an API service, then press Cmd + L to open chat.
Tools
Cmd + Shift + G for Lazygit, Cmd + Shift + Y for Yazi, and Cmd + Shift + R to mount remote files in an SSH session.
Config
Run kaku config to change font size, opacity, Smart Tab, close confirmation, and shortcuts right in the terminal. Anything deeper goes in Lua.
It started as my own daily driver
Most of my work and life runs through the command line. I used Alacritty for a long time, but without tabs it got in the way once I started coding with AI. The other terminals I tried each had something, whether font rendering, window quirks or a required login, and I wanted one that works well the moment it is installed, without a pile of config first. So I built Kaku.
Common questions
How do I install Kaku?
Download the DMG, or install with Homebrew:
brew install --cask kaku.Is Kaku paid?
No, Kaku is an MIT-licensed open source project.
Does Kaku run on Windows or Linux?
Not yet. For now the focus is making it great on the Mac.
Do I have to use the AI?
Only if you want it. The AI features run on your own Codex connection or an API service you set up in
kaku ai, and the rest of the terminal works the same without them.Can I bring my WezTerm config?
Mostly. Kaku keeps WezTerm's Lua config, though a few options behave differently, so check the configuration guide.
How do I update Kaku?
Run
kaku update or choose Check for Updates in the app menu. If you installed with Homebrew, brew upgrade --cask kaku works too.