Adriaan Willemse

🖥️ sideterminal - Quick access to your command line

Sideterminal sits on the edge of your screen. You pull it into view when you need to type commands and hide it when you finish. This tool keeps your terminal sessions active so you work without interruption. It fits into your workflow and helps you manage tasks.

📥 Getting the app

You can grab the installer from the official repository page.

Click here to visit the download page

Follow these steps to set up the software on your computer:

Open your web browser and go to the link above.
Look for the Releases section on the right side of the page.
Click on the most recent version number.
Find the file ending in .dmg for your Apple computer.
Click the file to start the download.
Once the download finishes, open the file from your downloads folder.
Drag the sideterminal icon into your Applications folder.

🚀 Starting the app

After you move the app to your Applications folder, you can open it like any other program on your computer.

Open your Applications folder.
Double-click the sideterminal icon.
If a warning appears about opening a file from the internet, click Open to confirm you trust the source.
The app icon will appear in your top menu bar.

🛠️ Using the terminal

Sideterminal changes how you interact with your machine. Instead of opening a large window, you use the sidebar style.

To show the terminal, move your mouse cursor to the edge of the screen where you anchored the app. A handle will appear. Click or drag that handle to reveal the terminal interface. To hide it, click anywhere outside the terminal window or drag the handle back to the edge.

The app maintains your active sessions even when you hide the interface. This means your running processes remain active in the background. You can hide the terminal to clear your workspace and reveal it later to check on your progress.

⚙️ Configuration options

You can adjust how the app behaves to suit your workspace. Access these settings by clicking the sideterminal icon in your top menu bar.

Placement: You choose which edge of the screen triggers the app. Some users prefer the left side while others prefer the right.
Opacity: Change how transparent the window appears. A lower opacity helps you see content behind the terminal while you work.
Launch at Login: Enable this setting if you want the app ready every time you turn on your computer.
Keyboard Shortcuts: Set a key combination to toggle the terminal visibility without using your mouse. This provides the fastest access to your command line.

📋 System requirements

Sideterminal runs on modern Apple hardware. You need the following to ensure the best performance:

A computer running macOS 12.0 or newer.
An Apple Silicon chip (M1, M2, M3, or newer series).
Approximately 50 megabytes of free storage space.
A stable internet connection for initial setup.

💡 Troubleshooting common issues

If you encounter problems during use, follow these steps to resolve them.

The app does not appear Check your top menu bar. The sideterminal icon should be visible. If it is hidden, restart the application from your Applications folder. Ensure your display settings do not conflict with gestures.

The terminal does not respond to clicks Verify that the window holds focus. Click the background once, then click the handle again. If the issue persists, quit the app from the menu bar and open it again.

The app runs slowly Sideterminal relies on system resources. If your computer runs many heavy programs at once, the sidebar might show a slight delay. Close unnecessary background apps to free up memory for the terminal.

Resetting settings If you configured the app in a way that makes it hard to use, you can reset it. Hold the Option key while you click the menu bar icon. Choose “Reset Preferences” from the menu that appears. This restores the app to its original state.

🔒 Privacy and safety

Sideterminal operates locally on your machine. All your terminal sessions and history stay on your hard drive. The application does not send your commands or personal data to remote servers. You control your information at all times.

Keywords: appkit, apple-silicon, developer-tools, macos, menubar, productivity, sidebar, swift, swiftui, terminal, terminal-emulator