Install on macOS
Install Syntax on macOS 12 (Monterey) or later.
Syntax runs on macOS 12 (Monterey) and later, on both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M3 and later) and Intel Macs. Apple Silicon is the recommended path: the unified memory architecture works very well for local inference, and Syntax uses the native Apple Metal stack to run open-weight models efficiently without any extra setup.
System requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| macOS | 12 (Monterey) | 14 (Sonoma) or later |
| CPU | Apple Silicon or 64-bit Intel | Apple Silicon (M2 Pro / M3 / M4) |
| RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB+ for larger models |
| Disk | 20 GB free | 100 GB+ if you plan to keep multiple model weights locally |
A discrete GPU is not required on Apple Silicon. Syntax will use the unified memory and the Apple-native engine for eligible models.
Install
The recommended install path is a single command:
curl -fsSL https://www.syntax-ftc.com/install.sh | bashThis downloads the installer, places the Syntax application bundle and CLI in standard system locations, and sets up the first-run configuration.
The installer is idempotent — running it again on the same machine simply verifies the install or upgrades to the latest version.
Verify
After install, open a new terminal and run:
syntax --version
syntax doctorsyntax doctor checks for the GPU/CPU it can use, the disk space available
for models, and whether your network can reach the catalog. Any warnings it
prints come with a one-line fix.
Pick a coding assistant
Syntax does not ship with its own editor. To start a real session, install
one of the supported coding assistants and connect it to Syntax. The
Connecting a harness guide walks
through the supported tools and how syntax connect wires them up.
What's next
- First launch — the desktop app's initial setup flow.
- Connecting a harness — make Codex, Claude Code, OpenCode, and Pi talk to Syntax.