Download

Download Kerf.

Kerf's core editor is free — no account required. Bidirectional click-to-source, the Monaco editor, and a live preview that updates as you type. Grab the build for your platform below; the Pro tools unlock in-app whenever you want them.

Download for macOS

All platforms

Install on macOS

Kerf for macOS is a native Apple Silicon build — M1, M2, M3, or M4. It's code-signed with a Developer ID and notarized by Apple, so it opens cleanly, with none of the "Kerf can't be opened because it is from an unidentified developer" friction.

Click Download for macOS above to get the .dmg.
Open it, then drag Kerf into your Applications folder.
Launch Kerf from Applications or Spotlight. macOS checks the notarization the first time you open it — a brief pause once, then instant every time after.

Updates are in-app: when a new version ships, Kerf shows an Update available banner, and one click installs it and restarts. You won't need to come back here to upgrade.

Intel Macs aren't supported. Kerf ships Apple Silicon only. On an Intel Mac and want a native build? Open an issue — demand drives what we prioritize.

Install on Windows

Kerf for Windows is coming soon. The build exists, but we're waiting until the installer is code-signed before shipping it publicly — an unsigned installer triggers a Microsoft Defender SmartScreen block in Edge that we'd rather not put you through.

If you'd like to be notified the moment the Windows build is available, watch the releases page on GitHub.

Install on Linux

Kerf ships as a .deb for Debian- and Ubuntu-based distros — Ubuntu, Pop!_OS, Mint, elementary, and Debian itself.

Double-clicking the file opens Ubuntu Software, which will show "Potentially unsafe — this package is provided by a third party." That warning appears on every .deb that isn't in a configured APT repository; it isn't a judgement about Kerf specifically. To skip the warning, install from a terminal instead:

cd ~/Downloads
sudo apt install ./kerf_*.deb

The leading ./ is load-bearing — it tells apt to install the local file rather than search the package index. Dependencies are resolved automatically. To remove Kerf later: sudo apt remove kerf.

Fedora, Arch, and other non-Debian distros aren't supported yet. If you'd like them, please open an issue.

System requirements

macOS: 11 Big Sur or later, on Apple Silicon (M1 or newer). Intel Macs aren't supported.
Linux: a 64-bit (x86_64) Debian- or Ubuntu-based distribution with apt.
Windows: 64-bit Windows 10 or 11 — coming soon.
Disk: about 300 MB free. Memory: 8 GB or more recommended.