Getting started
Everything you need to go from download to a skinned terminal — about two minutes.
Requirements
- macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later
- Apple Silicon (M-series) Mac — an Intel build is in the works
Install
- Download the DMG
- Open it and drag Terminal Candy to Applications
- Launch. That’s it — there’s no setup wizard, no account, no config file.
The first window opens wearing a starter skin with a real shell inside (your login shell — zsh for most people). Type something; it’s a genuine terminal, not a demo.
The trial
The first 14 days are a full free trial with up to 5 skin slots. No account or card required — the trial starts when you first launch the app.
When it ends, the app keeps running but stays locked to your current setup until you add a license.
Activating a license
A license is $10, once. It unlocks unlimited skins and community membership, forever — there is no subscription.
- Buy a license — the key arrives by email within a minute
- In Terminal Candy: Settings (⌘,) → License
- Paste the key. Done — it activates immediately.
Your key works on your Macs (personal use). If you hit a device limit or lose your key, email support@terminalcandy.com and we’ll sort it out.
Next steps
- Install and switch skins — the community gallery and ⌘] cycling
- Build your own skin — turn any image into a terminal
- Set up agent alerts — get pinged when Claude Code or Codex finishes
- Learn the shortcuts