T3 Code on macOS

Install T3 Code on macOS with the Homebrew cask or the .dmg, handle Gatekeeper, and fix the PATH problem that stops GUI apps from finding node and codex.

Last reviewed 2026-07-27 · verified against the pingdotgg/t3code repo

macOS is the best-supported platform — it's what the maintainers develop on, and the desktop build targets Apple Silicon by default.

Install with Homebrew#

brew install --cask t3-code

Upgrade later with:

brew upgrade --cask t3-code

Install from the .dmg#

Download the .dmg from the releases page, open it, and drag T3 Code to Applications.

The first launch may be blocked by Gatekeeper. If macOS refuses to open it, right-click the app and choose Open, which offers an explicit override that double-clicking does not.

Or run it without installing#

npx t3@latest

Set up a provider first#

# Codex
npm i -g @openai/codex
codex login

# or Claude Code
npm i -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
claude auth login

Confirm independently:

codex --version

Apple Silicon and Intel#

Desktop builds default to arm64. On an Intel Mac, check the releases page for an x64 artifact, or fall back to npx t3@latest, which runs on whatever Node you have.

Running an arm64 build under Rosetta is not a supported configuration and produces confusing subprocess spawn failures.

macOS as a remote host#

A Mac makes a good always-on agent host — you drive it from a laptop or phone elsewhere:

npx t3 serve --host "$(tailscale ip -4)"

Two things to get right. First, disable App Nap / sleep for the session, or macOS will suspend the process and your remote threads die mid-run. Second, grant Full Disk Access to your terminal (or to T3 Code) if the agent needs to touch directories under macOS privacy protection.

Remote access guide →

Uninstall#

brew uninstall --cask t3-code

For a manual install, drag the app to the Trash. Project configuration lives in your user library and can be removed separately if you want a genuinely clean slate.

FAQ#

How do I install T3 Code on a Mac?#

Run brew install --cask t3-code, or download the .dmg from the GitHub releases page. You also need a provider CLI such as Codex or Claude Code installed and authenticated separately.

Why can't the T3 Code desktop app find node or codex on macOS?#

GUI applications launched from Finder or the dock don't source your shell profile, so PATH additions from nvm, Homebrew or Volta are missing. Launching T3 Code from a terminal confirms the diagnosis.

Does T3 Code run on Apple Silicon?#

Yes — arm64 is the default build target for the macOS desktop app. Intel Macs should check the releases page for an x64 artifact or use the npx route.

Can I run T3 Code on a Mac and use it from my iPad?#

Yes. Run npx t3 serve bound to a private address such as your Tailscale IP, then open the printed pairing URL on the other device. Disable sleep on the Mac so sessions aren't suspended.