Kitty graphics protocol

Category: extensions · Tags: Kitty Extensions · Specification ↗

The Kitty graphics protocol enables inline image display in the terminal using a structured escape sequence format. Unlike Sixel, which encodes pixel data as ASCII characters, Kitty graphics transmits images as base64-encoded PNG, RGB, or RGBA data via APC (Application Program Command) sequences. Images are sent with ESC_G <control data> ; <payload> ESC \. Large images are split into chunks using the m=1 flag for continuation. The protocol supports placement (positioning images relative to cells), virtual image references (transmit once, display many times), animation frames, and z-layering. Each image gets a numeric ID, and Unicode placeholder characters allow images to participate in text layout and scrollback. Compared to Sixel, the Kitty protocol offers higher fidelity (full 32-bit RGBA), streaming, and compositing — but requires explicit terminal support. Adopted by Ghostty, WezTerm, and Konsole.

Supported by 2 of 6 backends (33%)

Support Matrix

Backend	Version	Support	Notes
Ghostty	1.3.1	✓ yes
Kitty	0.40.0	✓ yes
Alacritty	0.26.0	✗ no	Not implemented in alacritty ↗ upstream
vt100	0.1.0	✗ no	Not implemented — pure TypeScript emulator
WezTerm	0.1.0-fork.5	✗ no	Not implemented in wezterm-term crate
xterm.js	5.5.0	✗ no	Not implemented in xterm.js

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