The project's README from github.com/tw93/Kaku. As one markdown file: README.md.
An AI-friendly Mac terminal with sensible defaults, ready out of the box.
Kaku (書く, かく) means “to write” in Japanese. It is based on WezTerm, with fonts, themes, shell integration, and Mac shortcuts already configured. Lua settings remain available when you want to customize it.
Part of a trilogy: Kaku (書く) writes code, Waza (技) drills habits, Kami (紙) ships documents. Think of them as a family: Kaku is the dad, Waza the big sister, Kami the little sister.
Download the Kaku DMG, open it, and drag Kaku into Applications. Or install with Homebrew:
brew install tw93/tap/kakuku
Open Kaku to set up shell integration. Missing optional tools can be installed through kaku init.
kaku ai.| Action | Shortcut |
|---|---|
| New Tab | Cmd + T |
| New Window | Cmd + N |
| Close Tab/Pane | Cmd + W |
| Navigate Tabs | Cmd + Shift + [ / ] or Cmd + 1-9 |
| Navigate Panes | Cmd + Opt + Arrows |
| Split Pane Vertical | Cmd + D |
| Split Pane Horizontal | Cmd + Shift + D |
| Open Settings Panel | Cmd + , |
| AI Panel | Cmd + Shift + A |
| AI Chat | Cmd + L |
| Apply AI Suggestion | Cmd + Shift + E |
| Open Lazygit | Cmd + Shift + G |
| Yazi File Manager | Cmd + Shift + Y or y |
| Clear Screen | Cmd + K |
Full keybinding reference: docs/keybindings.md
Configure your own AI service with kaku ai to use the built-in assistant. Kaku does not provide or relay the AI service.
Cmd + Shift + E to paste it at the prompt for review.# <description> at the prompt and press Enter. The assistant places the generated command at the prompt for you to review and run.Cmd + L to discuss terminal output or work with project files and tools. Use kaku chat from another shell to access the same conversation store.For authentication, models, API Mode, and tool settings, see the AI assistant docs.
Is there a Windows or Linux version? Not currently. Kaku is macOS-only for now.
Can I use transparent windows? Yes, set config.window_background_opacity in ~/.config/kaku/kaku.lua.
The kaku command is missing. Run /Applications/Kaku.app/Contents/MacOS/kaku init --update-only && exec zsh -l, then kaku doctor.
Full FAQ: docs/faq.md
kaku ai, kaku config, kaku doctor, and moreI heavily rely on the CLI for both work and personal projects. Tools I've built, like Mole and Pake, reflect this.
I used Alacritty for years and learned to value speed and simplicity. As my workflow shifted toward AI-assisted coding, I wanted stronger tab and pane ergonomics. I also explored Kitty, Ghostty, Warp, and iTerm2. Each is strong in different areas, but I still wanted a setup that matched my own balance of performance, defaults, and control.
WezTerm is robust and highly hackable, and I am grateful for its engine and ecosystem. So I built Kaku to be that environment: fast, polished, and ready to work.
Big thanks to all contributors who helped build Kaku. Go follow them! ❤️
MIT License, feel free to enjoy and participate in open source. Attribution for WezTerm and the bundled fonts is in NOTICE.md.