Big-arrow-on-the-screen: draw arrows, boxes, text on macOS screens
When you need to point out parts of a screenshot or live demo, manual annotation can be slow. big-arrow-on-the-screen lets you add visual cues directly from the terminal, saving time.
What is big-arrow-on-the-screen?
big-arrow-on-the-screen is an open‑source command‑line utility for macOS that draws arrows, boxes and text onto the screen. It works with Claude/Codex skill integration and can be scripted for automation. You run it from the terminal and specify coordinates, shapes and labels to appear instantly on the display.
Who is it for?
- Developers — They can script annotations into demos or debugging sessions
- Designers — They can quickly highlight UI elements without leaving the terminal
- Educators — They can add on‑screen pointers during live teaching or recorded tutorials
Not ideal for: It’s not suited for users who need a graphical UI or a Windows/macOS alternative.
5 things you can do with big-arrow-on-the-screen
- Highlight a button in a tutorial video — Run the tool to draw an arrow pointing at the "Save" button while recording
- Mark an error area in a bug report screenshot — Draw a red box around the problematic UI element before sharing
- Add a label to a diagram — Place text next to a component to explain its function
- Create quick visual notes for a presentation slide — Combine an arrow and a short caption to emphasize a point
- Automate annotations for multiple images — Use a script that calls the CLI for each file with preset coordinates
How to get started
- Clone the repository from GitHub or download the binary
- Make the executable runnable (e.g., chmod +x big-arrow-on-the-screen)
- Open a terminal and run the command with desired options, such as `big-arrow-on-the-screen –arrow x1 y1 x2 y2`
- Verify the annotation appears on the screen; repeat or adjust as needed
Visit big-arrow-on-the-screen ↗
My test
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Pricing
big-arrow-on-the-screen is free to use.
Worth it if: If you often annotate macOS screenshots or live demos from the command line, it’s worth trying.
Pros and cons
👍 Pros
- Free and open source
- Runs directly from the CLI
- Supports arrows, boxes, and text
- Can be scripted for automation
👎 Cons
- macOS only
- No graphical user interface
- Limited to command‑line usage
Alternatives to big-arrow-on-the-screen
- Gemini — you need a conversational AI model rather than screen annotation
FAQ
Do I need any special permissions to run the tool?
Yes, macOS may require screen‑recording permission for the terminal or the binary to draw on the screen.
Can I use it on Windows or Linux?
No, the tool is built for macOS only.
Is there a way to customize colors or line thickness?
The current version supports basic drawing; check the GitHub README for any style options.
Do I need an internet connection?
No, it works entirely offline.
👉 See big-arrow-on-the-screen on LatgenHub: pricing, platforms and alternatives in one place.