Vertical tabs with workspace metadata
Use a vertical sidebar to keep track of git branch, working directory, ports, and notification text for each workspace.
cmux
Rivendicacmux is a native macOS terminal for AI coding agents and CLI workflows, with vertical tabs, split panes, notifications, session restore, and a programmable CLI/socket API.
Native macOS terminal for AI coding workflows
cmux is a native macOS terminal for multitasking, organization, and programmable control. It is built on libghostty for rendering and combines vertical tabs, split panes, attention indicators, and a socket-based API in a single app.
The product is aimed at people running AI coding agents and other terminal-based workflows. It works with any CLI tool, including Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Gemini CLI, Kiro, and Aider, and it adds workflow features such as session restore, remote SSH access, and an embedded browser for scripted tasks.
Features
Attention signals for running agents
Highlight panes that need attention with notification rings, unread badges, a notification popover, and macOS desktop notifications.
Built-in programmable browser
Open a real browser pane next to the terminal and control it through the socket API for navigation, DOM snapshots, clicks, typing, and JavaScript evaluation.
Split panes for parallel work
Divide work into horizontal and vertical panes within each tab so multiple terminals or agents stay visible at once.
Programmatic control surface
Use the CLI and Unix socket API to create workspaces, open splits, send text, read terminal contents, take screenshots, and manage notifications.
Native macOS terminal foundation
Run as a native Swift and AppKit app with libghostty rendering and no Electron layer.
Common use cases
Coordinate agent teams
Keep several agent runs visible at once, with each teammate or subagent appearing as its own pane instead of a hidden background process.
Work on remote machines
Run work on a remote host while driving it locally through SSH or by attaching to existing remote tmux sessions.
Automate browser-backed tasks
Use the embedded browser to navigate pages, inspect the DOM, click through flows, and verify web changes without leaving the terminal.
Monitor long-running terminal jobs
Surface build progress, notifications, and status updates in the sidebar so long-running jobs are easier to monitor at a glance.
Resume ongoing sessions
Restore workspaces, panes, scrollback, and supported agent sessions after relaunch so interrupted work can resume with less manual setup.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Supports any CLI tool, not just a fixed integration list.
- Combines terminal panes, workspace organization, notifications, and browser control in one app.
- Includes both a CLI and Unix socket API for automation and scripting.
- Can attach to remote machines over SSH and remote tmux sessions.
- Restores windows, workspaces, panes, and scrollback after relaunch.
Cons
- macOS only at present.
- The docs note that arbitrary live process state is not checkpointed; unsupported terminal apps reopen as normal terminals.
FAQ
How does cmux relate to Ghostty?
cmux is a native macOS terminal built on Ghostty’s rendering engine. The docs say it is not a fork of Ghostty; it is a separate app built on libghostty.
What platforms does cmux support?
The current docs say cmux supports macOS 14.0 or later on Apple Silicon or Intel Macs.
Does cmux restore sessions after relaunch?
Yes. cmux can restore windows, workspaces, panes, working directories, and scrollback when you relaunch, and supported agent sessions can also resume when hooks capture a native resume token.
What can you automate with cmux?
cmux includes a CLI and a Unix socket API. You can create workspaces, split panes, send input, read screen contents, trigger notifications, and drive the built-in browser through those interfaces.
Is cmux free to use?
Yes. The homepage says cmux is free and open source, and the source code is available on GitHub.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Developer Tool
- Platform
- macOS 14.0+; Apple Silicon and Intel
- Distribution
- Free and open source; source available on GitHub
- Core interfaces
- CLI and Unix socket API
- Primary use
- Multitasking terminal for AI coding agents and other CLI workflows
- Website
- cmux.com