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Desktop notifications (OSC 99)

Category: extensions · Baseline: rich · Tags: Operating System Commands (OSC), Kitty Extensions · Specification ↗

ESC ] 99 ; params BEL
OSC 99 is Kitty's rich desktop notification protocol, extending simple notification sequences (OSC 9, OSC 777) with structured metadata. The sequence ESC ] 99 ; params BEL supports key-value parameters including notification identifiers, action buttons, custom icons, urgency levels, and sound control. Identifiers allow updating or closing existing notifications. The protocol defines a capability query so applications can discover which notification features the terminal supports. Currently supported by Kitty, with partial adoption by other terminals.
How this is testedpartial
Send OSC 99 ; i=1:d=0:p=body;test BEL and verify the terminal consumes the notification sequence (cursor position unchanged).

The same probe runs against headless backends (via Termless) and real terminal apps (via a daemon launched in each terminal). This lets us distinguish parser correctness from rendering correctness.

Analysis2026-04-06

Supported by all 3 tested terminals — universal adoption. Part of the Rich TUI baseline.

Supported by 5 of 14 backends (36%)

Terminal Applications

TerminalVersionSupportNotes
iTerm23.6.9✓ yes
Ghostty1.3.1✓ yes
Kitty0.46.2✓ yes
VS Code1.113.0? unknown
Warp0.2026.03.18.08.24.03? unknown
Cursor2.6.21? unknown
Terminal.app2.15? unknown

Headless Backends

Parser correctness only — a means the parser accepts the sequence.

BackendVersionSupportNotes
Alacritty0.26.0? unknown
vt100.js0.2.1? unknown
vterm0.2.0? unknown
WezTerm0.1.0-fork.5? unknown
xterm.js5.5.0? unknown