muxterm

Muxterm is a self-hosted terminal multiplexer for developers who want browser-based panes, persistent shells, or MCP control of their workspaces. It is a strong fit for local, agent-assisted workflows, but not for anyone who needs established Windows support or a hosted session service.

Overview

Muxterm combines named workspaces and split panes with a browser interface backed by a Go session daemon. Its defining advantage is continuity: shells can outlast HTTP server interruptions. Since persistence is local, it is not a hosted service that carries sessions between machines.

The MIT license and single-binary package make it a no-cost self-hosted option. Self-hosting also means users are responsible for operating and securing their environment; the project has no published security policy or security advisories.

Key features

Named workspaces, accessible from a bar, help keep terminal arrangements separated by project or task. On reconnect, server-side VT emulation replays a live screen snapshot, which can restore full-screen applications as well as shell output. That is more useful than a simple reconnect for long-running terminal work.

The session daemon runs separately from the HTTP server, allowing shells to survive server restarts, deploys, and reboots. This suits work that must persist through service interruptions, but the local persistence scope is not a substitute for remotely hosted sessions.

The installable PWA works as a desktop or mobile app and includes service-worker offline support. The MCP server exposes 25 tools across seven categories for managing workspaces, panes, terminals, and other functions. Muxterm documents integrations with Claude Code, OpenCode, and Amplifier, and native lifecycle reporting for Claude, Codex, and Amplifier wrappers; this makes it relevant to developers who want agents to work with terminal environments.

HMAC token-based authentication and a localhost bypass support authenticated access while retaining a local-use path. The MCP publish_file tool serves one local file at an unguessable public URL, with a 24-hour default expiry, a seven-day maximum, and revocation for future reads. That offers a bounded sharing mechanism, but users should weigh the public exposure of a file against their needs.

Pricing

There is one free plan, with custom pane layouts and local persistence. No paid tier or seat or usage quota is part of this plan. The trade-off is self-management rather than a hosted service.

Platforms

Muxterm supports macOS, Linux, and browser/PWA access. Windows support is coming soon, so it is not the right choice for a Windows-dependent setup today. The PWA can be installed on desktop or mobile and supports offline use.

Who it's for

Muxterm is best for developers who want persistent local terminal sessions, named workspaces, and browser access, particularly those integrating MCP-compatible agents. It is less suited to people seeking hosted cross-device sessions or established Windows support, and self-hosters need to take responsibility for their own security practices.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Local shells survive server restarts, deploys, and reboots, which helps protect long-running work.
• Pros: Screen replay can restore full-screen apps after reconnecting, not just ordinary shell output.
• Pros: The MCP server's 25 tools and documented agent integrations support agent-driven workspace management.
• Cons: Persistence is local, so sessions are not a hosted service that follows users across machines.
• Cons: Windows support is still forthcoming.
• Cons: No published security policy or advisories means self-hosters must assess and manage their own security needs.

Alternatives

Terminal Multiplexers is a useful starting point for comparing the category.

• Okena is another free option with Android, iOS, API, and Windows platforms alongside Linux, macOS, and web.
• Zellij is free and open source, with no account required; choose it if you want its listed iOS access or are interested in its hosted session-sharing offering, which has a free tier and is in closed beta.
• muxel is a free GPL-3.0 option for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
• Herdr is free, Apache 2.0 software that runs locally on macOS, Linux, and Windows.
• openmux is free MIT-licensed software for macOS Apple Silicon and Linux x64/arm64.
• p2pmux is a free MIT-licensed option for Linux and macOS.
• Quil offers a free plan with no paid tier or hosted version, for Linux, macOS, and Windows.
• WMUX is a free MIT-licensed option for Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Verdict

Choose Muxterm if you want local terminal sessions that endure server interruptions, with browser workspaces and MCP tools in the same package. Look elsewhere if you need a hosted service that carries sessions between machines or reliable Windows support now.