Crest

Crest

Crest is a macOS app that surfaces Claude Code and Codex permission requests on the MacBook notch (or a pill on non-notch Macs), letting developers tap Allow or Deny from the notch so agent runs don't idle while waiting for terminal input.

Crest is developer tools software teams evaluate for developer tools. Use this page to review pricing, integration signals, and the best alternatives before you commit.

Freemium Enterprise 70/100
#129 in Developer Tools (129 tools)
Just launched
Data reviewed Sep 24, 2026

Profile facts come from the vendor source. AiMatch labels unknown pricing or API details instead of estimating them.

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Quick Overview

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What it does

Developer Tools software for decision-makers comparing workflow fit and alternatives.

Best fit

Developer Tools

Pricing snapshot

Freemium from Free

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Crest

Crest is a native macOS app designed to surface permission requests and agent approvals from AI coding tools (Claude Code and OpenAI's Codex) on the MacBook notch so developers don't lose time while CLIs wait for input. When an agent needs a decision (Allow/Deny or option choices), Crest shows a persistent pill at the notch (or a small pill on non-notch Macs) that stays visible across displays and fullscreen apps, plays a chime, and can unfold a detailed sheet showing the full command or edit before you respond. Crest also provides a panel that shows live sessions, GitHub PRs and CI status, system stats, SSH hosts, clipboard history, and a Claude co-pilot that works with your own Claude subscription.

You start a run, tab away, and Claude Code sits waiting on one Allow. Crest puts the prompt on the notch: tap to answer, the reply lands in your terminal.

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Key Features

Notch approvals for Claude Code

When Claude Code needs a permission or option answer, Crest shows a persistent Allow/Deny pill at the notch and relays the tap back to the CLI via Claude Code hooks.

Codex support

If OpenAI's Codex CLI exists on the Mac, Crest adds Codex hooks so Codex permission requests appear at the notch; sessions with bypassPermissions are auto-allowed per Codex behavior.

Persistent, cross-display UI

The pill appears on every display (including over fullscreen apps) and remains until answered; it is backed by a chime, macOS notification and an amber menu-bar icon.

Detailed preview sheet

Hovering the pill unfolds a sheet under the notch that shows the full command, file edits with changed lines, or a fetch URL and the agent prompt; nothing is sent until you press Allow or Deny.

In-terminal handoff

An In-terminal button returns the prompt to the terminal if you prefer to answer there; Crest does not stall runs if closed.

Uses official hooks (no injection)

Crest installs and uses Claude Code and Codex hook files (~/.claude/settings.json and ~/.codex/hooks.json) and keeps backups; nothing is patched or injected and read-only tools are not intercepted.

Live sessions and jump-to-terminal

Live Claude Code and Codex sessions show status in the notch and a click jumps back to the exact terminal tab or tmux pane running the session.

Panel modules: PRs, CI, system stats, SSH, clipboard shelf

The Crest panel (Code mode) carries GitHub pull requests and CI info, system stats, saved SSH hosts and ~/.ssh/config hosts, a file shelf with clipboard history, and more.

Claude co-pilot (Pro)

Crest 5's panel includes a Claude co-pilot you can use by voice or text to add calendar items, todos and notes using your own Claude subscription (no API key required).

Signed, notarized macOS app

Crest is signed and notarized by Apple and designed to install without warnings on macOS.

Pricing

Free Tier Available

Free to download with no account required; some features (Now Playing, Shelf) never expire.

Free

Free
  • Free to download, no account required
  • Now Playing and the Shelf with clipboard history and window snapping never expire

Pro (one-time)

$19.99 (one-time, tax included)
  • Unlocks AI Coding and the other Pro modules (15 Pro modules total)
  • 7-day full-Pro trial available when signing in (no card required)
  • 7-day refund policy mentioned

Use Cases

Prevent idle agent runs while away from terminal

Developers running Claude Code or Codex can tab away and still receive permission prompts on the notch so agent runs don't stay idle waiting for input.

Quickly approve or deny CLI actions

Tap Allow or Deny from the notch for Bash commands, file edits outside allowed paths, or multi-option questions and have the choice sent back to the session.

Manage AI coding workflows

Monitor live agent sessions, jump back to the exact terminal/tmux pane, review full commands before approving, and keep workflows moving without constantly checking the terminal.

Use a local Claude co-pilot

Ask the Crest co-pilot to perform tasks (voice or text) that integrate with your calendar, todos, and notes using your Claude subscription—no API key to paste.

Access developer utilities in one panel

View GitHub PRs and CI status, system stats, SSH hosts, and a clipboard/file shelf alongside agent approvals for a compact developer overlay.

Integrations

Claude Code (Anthropic)

Installs a PreToolUse hook (~/.claude/settings.json) so Claude Code permission requests surface on the notch and replies are relayed back to the CLI.

OpenAI Codex

Adds Codex hooks (~/.codex/hooks.json) when Codex exists on the machine so Codex permission requests appear on the notch; respects Codex's one-time trust prompt.

GitHub (Pull Requests) & CI

Displays GitHub pull requests and CI status in the Crest panel alongside live sessions.

SSH (~/.ssh/config)

Shows saved SSH hosts and hosts discovered in ~/.ssh/config in the Crest panel.

tmux and terminal tabs

SessionStart handler records the terminal/tmux pane for jumping back to the exact tab or pane running the session.

Benefits

Prevents agent runs from stalling by surfacing permission requests where they're always visible (the notch).
Faster developer feedback loop — approve or deny actions with one tap without hunting for the terminal.
Works across displays and fullscreen apps so prompts are never missed during presentations or deep focus.
No API keys required — integrates with your existing Claude subscription and local CLI tools.
One-time Pro purchase ($19.99) unlocks all Pro modules; free tier available with permanent features.
Signed and notarized by Apple and designed to be light on battery.
Hooks are non-invasive: Crest does not inject or patch tools and keeps backups of hook files.

Limitations

Requires macOS 14 or later.
Best experience on a MacBook with a notch; on non-notch Macs it appears as a small pill at the top of the screen.
AI Coding features are part of the Pro module set (Pro is a paid, one-time upgrade) and the Claude co-pilot requires your own Claude subscription.
Codex integration requires Codex to exist locally and a one-time trust confirmation by Codex at its next start.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an API key?
No. Crest hooks into the Claude Code CLI you already run on your Claude subscription; nothing extra to sign up for and no API key to paste.
What happens if Crest isn't running?
The hooks step aside and Claude Code shows its normal terminal prompt; a closed Crest never stalls a run.
Does it work with Codex?
Yes, through Codex's own hooks. Codex requires a one-time trust confirmation at its next start and sessions using bypassPermissions are auto-allowed.
Is this free?
Crest is free to download and use; AI Coding is one of the 15 Pro modules. Pro is a one-time $19.99 purchase and signing in starts a 7-day free trial with no card required.
Will I see prompts over fullscreen apps or on a second display?
Yes. The pill shows on every display, even over fullscreen apps, and it sticks until you answer; a chime, notification and menu-bar icon back it up.
Can I still answer in the terminal?
Always. Every notch prompt has an In-terminal button, and with Crest closed the terminal prompt appears as normal.
Can I see the full command before I allow it?
Yes. Rest the pointer on the prompt and a sheet unfolds under the notch showing the full command, file edits or URL and the prompt; nothing is sent until you press Deny or Allow.

Getting Started

  1. 1 Download Crest for macOS (app is signed and notarized).
  2. 2 Open the AI Coding module and flip on the hooks toggle to install the Claude Code (and Codex if present) hooks.
  3. 3 Start a Claude Code or Codex run and switch away from the terminal; permission prompts will appear on the notch when needed.
  4. 4 Optionally sign in to start a 7-day Pro trial (no card) or purchase Pro for a one-time $19.99 to unlock AI Coding and other Pro modules.

Support

email

Contact the developer at [email protected] (a person answers).

docs

FAQ, changelog and comparison pages are available on the Crest website (links shown on the product site).

API

Available: No

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