openmux
openmux is a free terminal multiplexer for Linux and macOS, with a master-stack layout and a command-line interface.
What openmux is
openmux is a free terminal multiplexer for Linux and macOS, with a master-stack layout and a command-line interface. It arranges terminals in vertical, horizontal, or stacked panes, with gaps and borders, across nine workspaces that each have their own pane layout. Vim-style hjkl keys navigate panes, and a Ctrl+b prefix offers a tmux-style command route. Sessions retain workspace layouts and pane working directories. They can be detached while a background shim continues running, then reattached; a new client takes a single-client lock and disconnects the old one. An aggregate PTY browser lets users browse, filter, and preview terminals across workspaces, including directory, process name, and Git branch details. Other features include mouse tracking, scrollback, pane zoom, and Kitty graphics support for images, pixel sizing, and SSH-aware offloading. The CLI supports session and pane operations, while layout, theme, and keybinding changes hot-reload. Installation options include a curl script, npm, Bun, source build, or prebuilt release binaries. The project uses the MIT License.
Good
- Nine workspaces have separate pane layouts.
- Sessions preserve layouts and pane working directories.
- PTY browser filters and previews across workspaces.
- Configuration changes hot-reload while running.
Watch out
- Release binaries are listed for macOS Apple Silicon and Linux x64 or arm64.
- Attaching a new client disconnects the previous client.
Who it suits
openmux suits terminal users on Linux or macOS who want pane layouts, multiple workspaces, and persistent sessions. Its CLI and PTY browser may also suit users who manage several terminal processes.
Verdict
openmux combines pane layouts, workspaces, persistent sessions, and a PTY browser in a terminal multiplexer. Note that attaching a new client takes over from the existing client.
Plans and prices
From openmux's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| openmux | Free | MIT-licensed software · macOS Apple Silicon · Linux x64 / arm64 |
The facts
Each one read from openmux's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Available binaries
- The README lists macOS Apple Silicon and Linux x64 or arm64 as release platforms.checked 8 Oct 2001
- CLI
- The headless-style CLI supports session and pane operations; pane commands require a running UI with a control socket available.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Configuration
- Configuration changes for layout, theme, and keybindings hot-reload while openmux is running.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Detach and attach
- Users can detach while leaving the background shim running; attaching from a new client takes the single-client lock and detaches the old client.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Installation
- The project documents installation via curl, npm, Bun, source build, and GitHub release binaries.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Intended users
- The README presents openmux as a terminal multiplexer and compares its behavior and architecture with tmux and Zellij.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Layout
- It offers vertical, horizontal, and stacked pane layouts, with gaps and borders.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Layouts and workspaces
- It offers vertical, horizontal, and stacked layouts across nine workspaces with isolated pane layouts.checked 9 Oct 2001
- License
- The repository identifies the software as MIT licensed.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Maintainer
- The GitHub profile identifies the maintainer as Tom and describes him as an open source builder.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Navigation
- It supports Vim-style hjkl navigation and a Tmux-style Ctrl+b prefix key.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Product
- openmux is a terminal multiplexer with a master-stack layout, described as Zellij-style.checked 9 Oct 2001
- PTY browsing
- Its aggregate view lets users browse and filter PTYs across workspaces by process name, directory, or Git branch, with interactive previews.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Security
- The repository page shows zero security advisories.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Sessions
- Sessions persist workspace layouts and pane working directories, and are auto-saved under ~/.config/openmux/sessions/.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Terminal features
- It includes mouse tracking, scrollback support, pane zoom, and Kitty graphics protocol support.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Terminal graphics
- It supports the Kitty graphics protocol for image rendering, pixel sizing, and SSH-aware offloading.checked 8 Oct 2001
- Workspaces
- It supports nine workspaces, each with its own pane layout.checked 8 Oct 2001
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The README lists prebuilt binaries for macOS Apple Silicon and Linux x64 / arm64.checked 9 Oct 2001
- PTY browser
- An aggregate view lets users browse, filter, and preview PTYs across workspaces, including directory, process name, and git branch information.checked 8 Oct 2001
