The Terminal is a Mac power-user’s best friend. When you need to get something specific done, access the underlying system, modify files or change some settings, command line is often the best and only way to get it done. Instead of having to go to it, DTerm brings the command line to you.
Working in the command line normally means stepping out of your current workflow and stepping into Terminal. Although it can affect anything on the system, and helps you get the job done, it’s a very separate process. DTerm, which we covered back in 2008, makes Terminal access context-sensitive.
From anywhere in any program you can invoke DTerm using a user-configurable global hotkey, from there you can run commands on the files you’re currently working with. No need to manually go through and navigate to the correct file directory, DTerm takes your command line session right there, already set to your current working directory. You can even insert the currently selected documents directly into the command line making it quick and easy.
You can run your commands as you normally would, right from the floating DTerm window and even copy them straight out of the prompt. Once you’re done you can just hit escape, use the hotkey combo again or simply ignore DTerm and it’ll automatically fade out.
DTerm brings the command line to you, integrating it more effectively and quickly into your work flow. It’s a free download from the Mac App Store and is compatible with Lion. If you ever find yourself in Terminal as part of your workflow, give DTerm a whirl and see whether it speeds up your command line sessions.
TUAW’s Daily Mac App: DTerm originally appeared on TUAW – The Unofficial Apple Weblog on Tue, 02 Aug 2011 15:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.
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