Ferrix

Free plan LinuxMac

What Ferrix is

Ferrix is a free Rust terminal multiplexer for Linux and macOS, inspired by GNU Screen and tmux. It helps users keep terminal work organized in sessions: create, attach to, detach from, list, and end sessions, then work across multiple windows and split panes. Pane navigation and layout management support different ways to arrange a workspace, and more than one client can attach to the same session at once.

Ferrix supports remote sessions over TCP/TLS, SSH tunnels, or Mosh. Session snapshots preserve session state, while compressed recording lets users replay terminal activity. Optional crash recovery saves automatically every five minutes, though that capability is experimental. The project also describes a hot-loaded WASM plugin system, with plugins among its experimental build options.

Configuration uses TOML, supports hot reload, and allows custom keybindings. Listed security controls include TLS 1.3, bcrypt password hashing, rate limiting after five failed attempts with a 15-minute lockout, role-based permissions, and read-only session locking. The project documents a 4.6 MB minimal build and a 9.7 MB full build, selectable through feature flags. Installation is available from source or Cargo; Homebrew and crates.io routes are marked as coming soon. Ferrix is dual-licensed under MIT or Apache-2.0.

Who it suits

Ferrix suits Linux and macOS users who want to organize terminal work into persistent sessions, windows, and panes, including users connecting remotely. Its snapshots, recording, and listed security controls may also suit users who need to preserve or review terminal sessions; the project recommends independent validation for mission-critical deployments.

What it does well

Free, with source and Cargo installation documented.
Supports simultaneous clients on a shared session.
Remote sessions can use TCP/TLS, SSH tunnels, or Mosh.
Offers session snapshots and compressed recording with replay.
TOML configuration supports hot reload and custom keybindings.
MIT or Apache-2.0 licensing.

What to know first

Homebrew and crates.io installation are marked as coming soon.
Crash recovery and the plugin feature are experimental.
The README recommends independent security validation for mission-critical deployments.

Limits

The minimal build is 4.6 MB and the full build is 9.7 MB. Crash recovery and the plugin feature are experimental.

Getting started

Open the Ferrix GitHub project page.
Use a Linux or macOS environment.
Install from source or Cargo.
Choose build capabilities with feature flags if needed.
Configure Ferrix with TOML and optional custom keybindings.

Verdict

Choose Ferrix if you want a free terminal multiplexer with remote transport options, snapshots, recording, and multi-client sessions. Look elsewhere if you need a packaged Homebrew or crates.io install now, or require non-experimental crash recovery or plugins. For mission-critical use, the project recommends independent security validation.

Questions

How much does Ferrix cost?

Ferrix is free, and its pricing note identifies a free plan.

Which platforms does Ferrix support?

Ferrix supports Linux and macOS, with command-line environments installed through Cargo or from source.

How can I install Ferrix?

The README documents installation from source or Cargo. Homebrew and crates.io installation are marked as coming soon.

Is Ferrix open source?

Ferrix is dual-licensed under MIT or Apache-2.0.

Does Ferrix support remote sessions?

Yes. Remote sessions support TCP/TLS, SSH tunnels, and Mosh transport.

Are crash recovery and plugins ready for general use?

Both are marked experimental in the project information.

Facts from Ferrix's own pages

Build options: The README gives a 4.6 MB minimal build and a 9.7 MB full build, with feature flags for selecting capabilities. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Build sizes: The documented minimal build is 4.6 MB and the full-feature build is 9.7 MB. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Configuration: Ferrix uses TOML configuration and supports hot reload and customizable keybindings. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Installation: The README says to install from source or Cargo for now and marks the Homebrew tap and crates.io installation as coming soon. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Install availability: The README says Homebrew and crates.io installation were coming soon and documents building from source with Cargo. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Intended users: The README recommends Ferrix for users seeking remote access, session snapshots, observability, and modern security features. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
License: Ferrix is dual-licensed under MIT or Apache-2.0. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Multi-client: Multiple clients can attach to the same session simultaneously. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Plugins: Its plugin architecture is WASM-based, and the README describes it as sandboxed. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Product: Ferrix is a Rust terminal multiplexer inspired by GNU Screen and tmux. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Purpose: Ferrix is a Rust terminal multiplexer inspired by GNU Screen and tmux. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Recording: Ferrix can record and replay terminal sessions with compression. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Remote access: Remote sessions support TCP/TLS, SSH tunnels, and Mosh transport. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Remote connections: Remote sessions support TCP/TLS, with SSH tunnel and Mosh transport also listed. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Security: The README lists TLS 1.3, bcrypt password hashing, configurable rate limiting, role-based permissions, and read-only session locking. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Security caveat: The README says penetration testing remained on its pre-v1.0 work list and recommends independent validation for mission-critical deployments. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Session management: It supports creating, attaching to, detaching from, listing, and terminating terminal sessions. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Session recovery: Ferrix supports session snapshots and optional crash recovery that autosaves every five minutes; crash recovery is marked experimental. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026
Sessions and panes: It supports creating, attaching to, detaching from, and managing sessions, windows, and split panes. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Snapshots and recording: Ferrix offers session snapshots and compressed session recording with replay. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Support and community: The README directs users to GitHub Issues for bug reports and GitHub Discussions for community discussion. · github.com, 4 Oct 2026
Windows and panes: Users can split panes, navigate between them, manage layouts, and work across multiple windows. · github.com, 3 Oct 2026

Where Ferrix stands on Freedom251

Terminal Multiplexers#12 of 29