Okena

Overview

Okena combines multiple CLI agents and projects in one native terminal window. Its project-oriented approach is useful for keeping parallel work visible and organized, rather than managing each task as a separate terminal session.

The maker describes it as free and open source under the MIT License and says it was made by the creators of Contember. Workspace and terminal persistence is local, which suits a desktop-first workflow but does not provide cloud-synced state.

Key features

Arrange projects around parallel work

Side-by-side project columns, tabs, split panes, detachable terminal windows and fullscreen mode give users several ways to shape a workspace. Custom pane layouts and per-project preferences make that flexibility more useful for recurring work; readers who want a single, uncomplicated terminal are unlikely to benefit as much.

Keep session context

Okena saves and restores workspace layouts and terminal sessions across app restarts. That can reduce the effort of rebuilding a multi-project setup after closing the app. GPU-accelerated rendering and up to 100,000 lines of scrollback suit sessions that produce substantial output, though the persistence scope remains local.

Bring project signals into the terminal

Users can manage Git worktrees as projects and view branches and change statistics. Repository-documented integrations cover Claude Code and OpenAI Codex status or usage, Docker Compose project services, and opening files in an editor. These capabilities make Okena more project-aware than a multiplexer focused solely on terminal panes.

Remote access and control

A local HTTP and WebSocket remote-control API, browser client, and iOS and Android companion apps provide ways to access the workspace beyond the desktop. Remote pairing uses HMAC-SHA256 token authentication and rate-limited pairing codes, and downloaded updates are SHA256 verified. This adds reach without changing the stated local scope of persistence.

Personalize the workspace

Shortcuts, themes, shell settings and lifecycle hooks can be customized. That range can help adapt Okena to an established command-line routine, although users seeking minimal configuration may prefer a narrower tool.

Pricing

Okena is free and open source under the MIT License. Its Free and open source plan costs 0.00 USD per free and covers macOS, Linux and Windows. There is no paid tier described, so the choice is about whether its workspace and integrations suit your workflow rather than which plan to buy.

Platforms

The desktop app is available for macOS, Linux and Windows, with web, Android and iOS companion access. The maker provides shell installation commands for macOS and Linux, a PowerShell command for Windows, and instructions for building from source.

Who it's for

Okena is best suited to developers who work across several repositories, Git worktrees or CLI agents and want a restorable, configurable terminal workspace. Its companion access is relevant to users who want remote control from a browser or mobile device. It is a weaker fit for someone who only needs basic terminal multiplexing or expects persistence to sync beyond the local machine.

Pros and cons

Pros

• Flexible project layouts, detachable windows and custom panes support parallel work in one workspace.
• Session and layout restoration preserves local setup across app restarts.
• Git worktree views and documented agent, Docker Compose and editor integrations add project context.
• Free, MIT-licensed software is available on three desktop operating systems, with companion access on web and mobile.

Cons

• Persistence is local, so it does not serve as cloud-synced workspace state.
• The many layout and customization options may be unnecessary for users who want a straightforward terminal multiplexer.
• Remote control broadens access but still centers on a local API and companion clients.

Alternatives

Choose Zellij if you want a free, open-source option that requires no account; its listed platforms include iOS, Linux, macOS, web and Windows. Zellij.online is a separate hosted session-sharing option with a free tier and paid service in closed beta.

muxel is another free, open-source choice for Linux, macOS and Windows. Consider p2pmux if you want a free MIT-licensed option for Linux or macOS.

Quil is a free local option with no paid tier or hosted version, for Linux, macOS and Windows. Ferrix is a free alternative for Linux and macOS.

Choose tmux for a free, open-source option across Linux, macOS, API and self-hosted environments; no paid tiers or usage limits are stated for it. Plux is a free option for Linux and macOS, while TUIOS is free and supports web, macOS and Linux. Browse Terminal Multiplexers for more choices.

Verdict

Choose Okena if you want several CLI projects and agents organized in a configurable desktop workspace that can restore its local sessions, with Git worktree views and remote companion access. Look elsewhere if your priority is a simpler multiplexer or persistence that follows you between machines.