Precise induction and monitoring of cell apoptosis are significant for cancer treatment. This study aims to develop a gold nanoparticle (GNP)-based nanoprobe, which could simultaneously induce and monitor the apoptosis of melanoma cells in situ and realize a precise control of photothermal therapeutic dose. The GNS-TAT-Cy5 nanoprobe was obtained through the formation of Au-S bonds between GNS-TAT and Cy5-tagged caspase-3 specific peptides (Cy5-DEVD). The fluorescence of Cy5 was quenched by the GNS due to the nanosurface energy transfer effect. Upon laser irradiation, activated caspase-3 cleaved the substrate peptide and Cy5 was released from the nanoprobe, leading to a significant fluorescence turn on signal for sensitive and continuous analysis of caspase 3 activity in vitro and in vivo. Therefore, the GNS-TAT-Cy5 nanoprobe can serve as a precise theranostic platform via regulating the photothermal dose and achieved regulation and detection of apoptosis related to caspase-3 for melanoma.