Cate for MAC
Free, open-source IDE for Mac on an infinite canvas: run coding agents in terminals, with editors, browsers and git worktrees side by side.
Cate Overview
Cate is an IDE built on an infinite zoomable canvas, made for running several coding agents at once. Terminals, editors and browser panels float in a workspace instead of sitting in tabs. Run Claude Code, Codex or another agent CLI in a Cate terminal and each panel shows whether its agent is working, finished or waiting on you, with a notification the moment one needs input.
One click creates a git worktree with its own colored area on the canvas, so agents on different branches stay visibly separate. You can pair other computers and an iPhone with a workspace, or invite someone to work with you, and everyone sees the same live terminals, editor buffers and layouts. Every paired device has full access to the workspace, so share it only with people you trust.
Cate is made by 0-AI UG and is free and open source under the MIT license. It does not include an AI agent itself: you bring the agent CLI you want to use. It needs macOS 12 or later, with separate downloads for Apple Silicon and Intel, and they are large at over 500 MB each. Version 2.0.5 adds an Open in browser button for HTML files.
Key Features
Cate turns a project folder into a spatial workspace.
- Infinite canvas: float panels, or dock them into tabs and splits.
- Agent-aware terminals: running, waiting and finished states, with notifications.
- Worktrees: start a branch for each piece of work in one step.
- Shared workspaces: pair devices by QR code or pairing code.
- Session restore: agents reattach with their scrollback after a restart.
- Usage overview: token use and cost by time, agent and model.
- Git and search: side-by-side diffs and ripgrep search.
- Remote work: open a folder on an SSH host as easily as a local one.
What’s New in Version 2.0.5
Cate 2.0.5 adds new panel tools and fixes many panel, browser and agent issues.
- Open local HTML files from the editor in a browser panel
- A new cate agent read command for reading an agent panel's conversation
- File tree, Git review and browser zoom settings are now kept per panel
- T3 panels connect before the first prompt
- Provider sign-in fixed for Claude, OpenCode and custom setups
- No more false agent-ready notifications during approval review
Cate FAQ
Is Cate free?
Yes. Cate is free and open source under the MIT license.
Does Cate include an AI agent?
No. You run an agent CLI such as Claude Code or Codex in a Cate terminal, and any costs of that agent are separate.
Which macOS version does Cate need?
Homebrew lists macOS 12 or later for Cate 2.0.5.
Does Cate run on Apple Silicon?
Yes. There are separate downloads for Apple Silicon and Intel.
How big is the download?
The disk images are 526 MB for Apple Silicon and 534 MB for Intel.
Can I install Cate with Homebrew?
Yes. Run brew install --cask cate.
Can I work on several branches at once?
Yes. Cate creates a git worktree and branch for each piece of work, each with its own colored area on the canvas.
Can I follow my agents from an iPhone?
Yes. Paired iPhones can follow agent conversations, send prompts and attachments, and use workspace panels.
Is sharing a workspace safe?
Connections through Cate Connect use end-to-end encryption, but every paired device has full access to the workspace. You can remove a device at any time, and it is disconnected immediately.
Where does the Cate download on cate.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to the official Cate releases on GitHub at https://github.com/0-AI-UG/cate/releases/latest. cate.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage the app.
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