Zellij

Overview

Zellij brings multiple terminal tasks into one configurable workspace, for people who prefer to keep development or operations work in the terminal. Its combination of reusable layouts and restorable sessions is compelling; browser sharing broadens access, but the network-facing server needs cautious deployment.

Key features

Arrange and rerun terminal work

Tiled, floating, and stacked panes accommodate different ways of organizing concurrent tasks, and users can move or resize them with a mouse or keyboard. Command panes expose exit codes and can rerun a command with Enter; layouts can also start these panes suspended. That makes Zellij useful for recurring command workflows, though it remains a layer inside a terminal rather than a replacement for one.

Build reusable workspaces

KDL layouts can define panes, tabs, commands, and plugins, allowing users to automate a workspace and share its setup. Named sessions make it easier to switch contexts, while session resurrection restores pane structure and commands, even after a reboot. Persistence is local, so this provides continuity on the machine rather than cloud-backed session storage.

Extend and share sessions

Plugins run on WebAssembly and can be written in any language that compiles to WASM; Rust users have an official SDK and scaffolding tools. The built-in web server supports browser access and remote sessions over HTTPS, with authentication required. Read-only tokens let observers follow a session without interacting, a useful distinction for demonstrations or monitoring.

The server is off by default and enforces HTTPS for network access, but it has no rate limiting. The documentation recommends a reverse proxy on untrusted networks, so users should account for that extra setup rather than expose the server casually. Zellij.online is a separate commercial, end-to-end encrypted hosted sharing service that is in closed beta.

Fits existing terminal tools

Zellij works with existing terminal emulators, bash, zsh, and fish, and editors including vim, neovim, emacs, and helix. The maker says it has no ads, telemetry, or data collection and requires neither an account nor an online presence. Its support channels include documentation, tutorials, GitHub issues and discussions, and social media.

Pricing

Zellij is free and open source at no cost, with no account required. That makes the core workspace a straightforward choice for individuals and teams who want layouts, local session restoration, and collaboration features without a subscription. The trade-off is that persistence is local, while hosted sharing is a separate offering.

Zellij.online is paid hosted session sharing with a free tier and closed beta; its price is custom pricing. It suits users seeking a hosted route to sharing sessions, but the service is not yet generally available. The free core product does not require an account or online presence.

Platforms

Zellij runs in Linux, macOS, and Windows terminals, with a browser web client for access and sharing. Native Windows support and downloadable Windows binaries are stated by its maker. Because it runs inside a terminal, users still need a terminal emulator; those looking for a standalone graphical terminal app should choose another category of tool.

Who it's for

Zellij is best for developers, operations-focused users, and other terminal users who want to arrange commands into repeatable workspaces and restore sessions locally. It is also a fit when browser-based remote access or read-only observation matters. It is less suited to users who need cloud-synchronized session persistence or want remote access without configuring network safeguards.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Multiple pane styles with mouse and keyboard controls make it adaptable to different terminal workflows.
• Pros: KDL layouts and session resurrection preserve workspace structure and commands, including across reboots.
• Pros: Browser sharing, HTTPS access, authentication, and read-only tokens offer flexible collaboration without requiring an account for core use.
• Cons: Local persistence does not provide cloud-backed session continuity.
• Cons: The built-in server has no rate limiting, and untrusted-network use calls for a reverse proxy.
• Cons: Zellij runs within a terminal emulator rather than replacing it.

Alternatives

For a wider comparison, browse Terminal Multiplexers. Okena is another free option with support across Android, API, iOS, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows; consider it if that broader platform range matters. muxel is free and open source under GPL-3.0 for Linux, macOS, and Windows, a choice for readers focused on those desktop systems.

muxterm is a free, MIT-licensed, self-hosted single binary for Linux, macOS, web, and Windows. p2pmux is a free MIT-licensed option for Linux and macOS. Quil is free with no paid tier or hosted version, for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use. Byobu is free under GPLv3 for Linux and macOS and requires tmux 1.5 or later and/or GNU Screen. tmux is free and open source, with Linux, macOS, API, and self-hosted platform coverage. TermStation is another free option, with Android, Linux, macOS, web, and Windows coverage.

Verdict

Choose Zellij if you want a free terminal workspace that makes pane arrangements repeatable and can restore local sessions after a reboot. Its strongest advantage is keeping commands, layout, and session switching together without requiring an account. Look elsewhere if you need cloud-backed persistence, a standalone terminal emulator, or hosted sharing outside a closed beta; take care to protect the web server when enabling remote access.