From b9d7a661cec7ed453aef5c8516f5677f8948b23e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001
From: Kovid Goyal <kovid@kovidgoyal.net>
Date: Thu, 12 Mar 2026 09:46:22 +0530
Subject: [PATCH] Dont import ctypes unless type checking

ctypes in Python 3.14 is broken on Intel macs. It uses libffi which is
broken on Intel macs without extra security entitlements. At least
com.apple.security.cs.allow-unsigned-executable-memory and possibly
com.apple.security.cs.disable-executable-page-protection

Rather than add these entitlements, we simply do not import ctypes as it
is not actually used on macs anyway.

Fixes #9643
---
 docs/changelog.rst    | 2 ++
 kitty/fonts/render.py | 2 +-
 2 files changed, 3 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-)

diff --git a/docs/changelog.rst b/docs/changelog.rst
index d4d804d5a..4e5a84f2b 100644
--- a/docs/changelog.rst
+++ b/docs/changelog.rst
@@ -174,6 +174,8 @@ Detailed list of changes
 
 - Fix a regression that broke accept anyway shortcut in the paste confirmation dialog (:pull:`9640`)
 
+- Fix kitty hanging on startup on Intel macs (:iss:`9643`)
+
 0.46.0 [2026-03-11]
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
diff --git a/kitty/fonts/render.py b/kitty/fonts/render.py
index 49220d94f..5aa88bd99 100644
--- a/kitty/fonts/render.py
+++ b/kitty/fonts/render.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
 #!/usr/bin/env python
 # License: GPL v3 Copyright: 2016, Kovid Goyal <kovid at kovidgoyal.net>
 
-import ctypes
 import os
 import sys
 from collections.abc import Callable, Generator
@@ -218,6 +217,7 @@ def set_font_family(opts: Options | None = None, override_font_size: float | Non
 
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
+    import ctypes
     CBufType = ctypes.Array[ctypes.c_ubyte]
 else:
     CBufType = None