iTerm2 is a modern and highly customizable terminal emulator for macOS that enhances the default Terminal app with powerful features designed for productivity, customization, and efficiency. It’s a favorite among developers, sysadmins, and power users who rely on the command line for their daily tasks.
In this guide, we’ll cover how to install iTerm2 and explore the essential features that make it one of the best terminal tools for macOS.
✅ How to Install iTerm2 on macOS
1. Download iTerm2
- Visit the official website: https://iterm2.com
- Click on the "Download" button under the Stable Releases section to get the latest version of iTerm2.
2. Install iTerm2
- Open the downloaded
.zip file, which will extract the iTerm.app.
- Drag the iTerm.app into your Applications folder.
- Open iTerm2 from your Applications or use Spotlight (Cmd + Space) and search for "iTerm".
🧠 Must-Know Features of iTerm2
🧰 1. Split Panes
One of the standout features of iTerm2 is split panes. You can split your terminal window both vertically (Cmd + D) and horizontally (Cmd + Shift + D) to work in multiple sessions simultaneously. This is especially useful when running a server in one pane and editing files or monitoring logs in another.
🎯 2. Profiles and Customization
iTerm2 allows you to create multiple profiles with different settings such as colors, fonts, key bindings, and startup commands. You can set specific profiles to launch automatically or manually for different projects or workflows. This helps maintain an organized terminal setup tailored to your needs.
🌈 3. Color Schemes and Themes
iTerm2 supports custom color schemes that can make your terminal both easier on the eyes and visually appealing. You can find hundreds of community-created themes at https://iterm2colorschemes.com and apply them directly through Preferences > Profiles > Colors.
⚡ 4. Hotkey Window
The Hotkey Window is a special terminal window that drops down from the top of your screen when you press a specific hotkey (default: Cmd + Option + ~). It’s always available in the background and makes it super quick to execute commands without disrupting your workflow.
📋 5. Clipboard History
iTerm2 includes a clipboard history manager (accessed via Cmd + Shift + H) that saves previously copied content, allowing you to reuse commands or code snippets without switching between apps or losing track of what you copied earlier.
🔍 6. Search and Highlight
You can easily search through your terminal output using Cmd + F. iTerm2 supports regex search, highlights matches in real time, and even lets you create triggers that highlight or react to specific patterns in your terminal output (such as error messages).
📌 7. Session Management and Auto-Save
iTerm2 can automatically save and restore sessions, meaning your terminal windows and tabs can be reopened with the same layout and state after rebooting. This is a massive time-saver for developers who work on persistent, multi-session setups.
🖱️ 8. Mouse Support
Unlike the default macOS Terminal, iTerm2 supports mouse actions in supported applications like tmux or vim, allowing you to click and select text, navigate, and interact with panes without relying solely on the keyboard.
💨 9. Inline Images and Previews
iTerm2 supports inline images, which means it can display images directly in the terminal window. This is particularly useful for developers working with graphics, image datasets, or tools that output charts.
🔒 10. Shell Integration
By installing iTerm2 shell integration, you can enable features like:
- Current working directory tracking across tabs
- Advanced autocomplete
- Session restoration
To install shell integration, run:
sh
curl -L https://iterm2.com/shell_integration/install_shell_integration.sh | bash
🧩 11. Scripting and Automation
iTerm2 supports AppleScript and Python-based scripting to automate repetitive terminal tasks. You can use scripts to set up work environments, run sequences of commands, or trigger actions based on output.
🚀 Final Thoughts
iTerm2 is much more than just a terminal—it’s a productivity powerhouse for command-line users. With features like split panes, custom profiles, color schemes, and automation tools, it empowers developers and technical users to work faster, smarter, and more efficiently on macOS.
Whether you're a web developer, DevOps engineer, or power user, iTerm2 gives you the tools to enhance your terminal experience and streamline your workflow. It's free, open-source, and continuously updated by a passionate community.
If you spend a lot of time in the terminal, iTerm2 is a must-have upgrade from the default macOS Terminal. Install it today and unlock a new level of terminal power and flexibility.