ITG NowHome › AI glossary › Terminal
What is the terminal?
The terminal is an app on your computer where you type text commands to control it.
- Category GitHub & code
- Also called Terminal app, command prompt
- Updated 20 Oct 2026
Terminal, explained simply
The terminal is the window where you use a command line. On a Mac it is called Terminal.
You type a command, press Enter, and the computer replies with text.
Many free tools need you to use it for install steps. It is less scary than it looks.
For example, you paste one line from a guide, press Enter, and the tool installs.
On ITG Now, our free tool guides tell you when to open the terminal and exactly what to paste in.
Related terms
Where you'll see it on ITG Now
- GuideMole: Free Mac Cleaner That Runs in Terminal (2026)
- GuideCut Terminal Output Tokens for AI Coding: RTK Guide (2026)
- GuideHermes Agent: Free Self-Improving AI Agent (2026 Guide)
- Guidenanobot: Free Self-Hosted AI Assistant You Own (2026)
- GuideApple Container: Run Linux Containers on Mac for Free
- GuidePaperclip: Free App to Manage AI Agents Like a Company
Questions people ask about Terminal
Is the terminal safe?
Yes, if you only run commands from trusted guides. A command can change or delete files, so read before you paste.
Terminal vs command prompt: what is the difference?
They are similar ideas on different systems. Command Prompt is the classic Windows one, and Terminal is the Mac one.
Do I need the terminal to use AI tools?
Not for every tool. Many web apps need none, but open-source tools often do.