# herdr

> Terminal multiplexer written in Rust that runs coding agents in persistent panes, tracks working/blocked/idle state, and manages local and SSH machines.

Stars: 46.3k · Language: Rust · License: Apache-2.0 · Categories: AI

- Repository: https://github.com/herdrdev/herdr
- Website: https://herdr.dev
- Page: https://www.trmn.sh/tools/herdr

## Install

- Homebrew: `brew install herdr`
- mise: `mise use -g herdr`
- Install script: `curl -fsSL https://herdr.dev/install.sh | sh`

## Overview

herdr is a terminal multiplexer for running coding agents such as Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, opencode and Grok. It does not wrap or replace those agents; it owns their terminals. Panes can be split with tmux-style prefix keys or with the mouse (click, drag, split). It ships as a single Rust binary and runs inside whatever terminal you already use.

Terminals run in a background server, so closing the client or losing an SSH connection does not stop the work. `ctrl+b q` detaches and running `herdr` reattaches. After a server or machine restart, herdr restores the saved layout and can resume supported agent sessions. The original processes do not survive a restart. Saved SSH machines can be kept alongside local work in one window, with a combined agent list and independent reconnects.

Every pane is marked working, blocked, or idle, and herdr signals when an agent has stopped and needs an answer. Agents can also drive herdr through its CLI and socket API. They can spawn panes, prompt each other, and wait until another agent is blocked. A plugin system extends panes and workflows, and there is a plugin marketplace. Binaries are available for Windows as well as Unix-like systems.

The tool is aimed at developers who run several coding agents in parallel, including on remote machines, and want persistent sessions and visibility into which agent needs attention.

### Installation

```bash
# via Homebrew
brew install herdr
```

```bash
# via mise
mise use -g herdr
```

```bash
# via Install script
curl -fsSL https://herdr.dev/install.sh | sh
```

## Alternatives

- [Codewhale](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/codewhale.md): Rust terminal coding agent that reads a repo, edits files, runs commands and checks results using hosted or local models (Ollama, vLLM, SGLang). (Rust, 41.1k stars)
- [Goose](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/goose.md): Open source AI agent for desktop, CLI, and API with 15+ provider integrations and Model Context Protocol extensions (Rust, 55.9k stars)
- [AIChat](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/aichat.md): LLM CLI with a shell assistant, chat REPL, RAG, function calling and agents, supporting 20+ providers including OpenAI, Claude, Gemini and Ollama. (Rust, 10.5k stars)
- [rtk](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/rtk.md): Single Rust binary that filters and compresses shell command output (git, tests, linters, etc.) before AI coding agents read it, with under 10ms overhead. (Rust, 84.9k stars)
- [code2prompt](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/code2prompt.md): CLI and TUI that converts a codebase into a single LLM prompt with a source tree, Handlebars templates, git context, and token estimates. (Rust, 7.7k stars)

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Canonical: https://www.trmn.sh/tools/herdr