---
title: Getting Started
description: Download and install PonyMux, create your first durable Terminal, and learn the sidebar, Terminal list, workspace, and Inspector.
---

PonyMux requires macOS 14 or later and is distributed as a signed and notarized
DMG.

1. **Install the app**

    [Download PonyMux for free](/download)

    *Requires macOS 14 or later.*


        Open the DMG, move PonyMux to Applications, and launch it. The build is signed
        with Developer ID and notarized by Apple.

2. **Create a Terminal**

    Click **+** above the Terminal list or choose **File → New Terminal** (`⌘N`).
    On a fresh install, the first Terminal starts with your configured shell in
    your home folder. Later Terminals use the collection and visible Terminal
    context you are working in: creating inside a List assigns that List, and
    PonyMux normally carries forward a relevant working directory.

    See [Create and Organize Terminals](/docs/organize#create-in-context) for the
    exact placement and directory rules.

3. **Connect an agent**

    Open **Agent Integrations** from the link button at the bottom of the sidebar,
    then connect Claude Code and Codex. See [Agent Integrations](/docs/integrations)
    for details.

4. **Start working**

    Run `claude` or `codex` as usual. PonyMux leaves their terminal interfaces
    unchanged while adding status, session history, notifications, and recovery
    around them.

## Find your way around

The main window has a Finder-like toolbar and up to four working columns:


*PonyMux interface view: workspace.*


- The **sidebar** contains All Terminals, Agents, Archive, Trash, and your Lists and Folders.
- The **Terminal list** shows the current collection and the state of each Terminal.
- The **workspace** shows one full Terminal at a time.
- The optional **Inspector** shows the selected Terminal's agent, session, directory, and related actions.

The **Sessions** panel opens over the workspace or stays pinned as another column.
It groups the selected Terminal's current and previous agent conversations and
offers Resume and Fork when the underlying transcript is still available.

A [**Quick Terminal**](/docs/workspace-navigation#quick-terminal) opens a temporary
shell beside the current Terminal. It is useful for supporting tasks such as
starting the project's local development server, watching logs, or running a
quick Git check without adding another saved Terminal to your workspace. Create a
[regular Terminal](/docs/organize#regular-terminals) when the work should have its
own durable place, List membership, and session history.

See [Workspace and Navigation](/docs/workspace-navigation) for Focus Mode, the
Inspector, Sessions, and browser-style Back and Forward history.

## Useful first shortcuts

| Action | Shortcut |
| --- | --- |
| New Terminal | `⌘N` |
| New Quick Terminal | `⌥⌘N` |
| Toggle Quick Terminal | `⌥⌘J` |
| Toggle sidebar | `⌘B` |
| Toggle Inspector | `⌥⌘B` |
| Toggle Sessions | `⌥⌘V` |
| Focus Mode | `⇧⌘F` |
| Back / Forward | `⌘[` / `⌘]` |
| Keyboard Shortcuts | `⌘/` |

Shortcuts can be reviewed and customized in **Settings → Keyboard**.

## Updates

PonyMux checks for updates in the background. When a newer private-preview build
is available, an update button appears near the bottom of the sidebar. Select it
to review the release notes and install the update through Sparkle. See
[Settings and Accessibility](/docs/settings-accessibility) for manual update
checks and other app-level controls.