Shpool
Shpool is free, open-source software for keeping named shell sessions available when connections drop.
What Shpool is
Shpool is free, open-source software for keeping named shell sessions available when connections drop. It provides session persistence without split windows or tiled panes, while preserving native terminal scrollback and copy-paste. To reconnect, use `shpool attach` with a session name; Shpool redraws the terminal state. Its command-line interface can list, detach, and kill sessions, and the `--ttl` flag sets a session lifetime. For SSH use, install Shpool on the remote host; the client requires no additional software. The README documents Cargo installation through crates.io and Homebrew on macOS, along with SSH configuration and shell-function patterns for automatic attachment. Variables in session names and attach options can direct terminals to newly named sessions when a variable changes. Bash, zsh, and fish support automatic session-name prompt prefixes. Shpool supports Linux and macOS and is licensed under Apache-2.0. Only one client can connect to a particular session at a time.
Good
- Keeps named sessions available after dropped connections
- Preserves native scrollback and copy-paste
- SSH clients need no extra software
- Supports bash, zsh, and fish prompt prefixes
Watch out
- Only one client can connect to a session
- Does not provide split panes or tiled windows
- No session synchronization or collaboration features
Who it suits
Shpool suits people who want persistent shell sessions without terminal multiplexing features. It is intended for Linux, macOS, SSH, and command-line workflows.
Verdict
Shpool offers a focused way to return to named shell sessions, including over SSH. Its single-client limit and lack of pane layouts make it a fit for session persistence rather than shared or multiplexed terminal work.
Plans and prices
From Shpool's own pricing page, checked 9 Oct 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Shpool | Free | Open-source shell session persistence software · Apache-2.0 license |
The facts
Each one read from Shpool's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Installation
- The README documents installation through crates.io with Cargo and through Homebrew on macOS.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Integrations
- The README documents SSH configuration and shell-function patterns for automatically attaching to sessions.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Intended users
- Shpool is aimed at people who want shell session persistence without terminal multiplexing features.checked 9 Oct 2001
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies the project as licensed under Apache-2.0.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Purpose
- Shpool creates named persistent shell sessions that survive dropped connections.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Reattachment
- Users can reconnect to an existing named session with `shpool attach`, and Shpool redraws the terminal state after reattachment.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Remote use
- For SSH use, Shpool is installed on the remote host and requires no extra software on the client.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Security
- The repository's Security and quality page reports zero advisories.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Session controls
- The CLI can list, detach, and kill sessions, and can set a session lifetime with the `--ttl` flag.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Session limitation
- Only one client can be connected to a particular session at a time.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Shell support
- Automatic session-name prompt prefixes are supported for bash, zsh, and fish.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Templates
- Variables can be used in session names and attach options, and changing a variable can switch attached terminals to newly named sessions.checked 9 Oct 2001
- Terminal behavior
- It provides session persistence without window splitting or tiling, preserving native terminal scrollback and copy-paste.checked 9 Oct 2001
Where it runs
- Platforms
- Shpool runs on Linux and macOS; Linux is the primary supported platform, and some macOS tests do not pass.checked 9 Oct 2001
