# zellij

> Terminal multiplexer with floating panes, multiplayer collaboration, WebAssembly plugins, and built-in web client

Stars: 35.9k · Language: Rust · License: MIT · Categories: Dev Tools

- Repository: https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij
- Website: https://zellij.dev
- Page: https://www.trmn.sh/tools/zellij

## Install

- Cargo: `cargo install --locked zellij`
- Try without installing: `bash <(curl -L https://zellij.dev/launch)`

## Overview

Zellij is a terminal multiplexer that provides workspace functionality for developers and terminal users. It creates multiple terminal sessions within a single interface, supporting both traditional tiled panes and floating panes that can be positioned freely. The tool includes stacked panes for organizing multiple terminals in the same space.

Zellij offers multiplayer collaboration features that allow multiple users to work in the same terminal session simultaneously. It includes a plugin system that supports WebAssembly, enabling plugins written in any language that compiles to WASM. The tool also provides a built-in web client, allowing users to access their terminal sessions through a browser without requiring a local terminal emulator.

The tool supports layouts for automating workspace setup and personal configuration. Zellij targets both beginners and advanced users, providing default configurations that work immediately while offering extensive customization options. It serves developers, operations teams, and anyone who frequently uses terminal-based workflows and needs to manage multiple terminal sessions efficiently.

### Installation

```bash
# via Cargo
cargo install --locked zellij
```

```bash
# via Try without installing
bash <(curl -L https://zellij.dev/launch)
```

![Zellij demo](https://media.trmn.sh/cached/4973a25c4733256c6fef08b34de673105dffd939ee06920ae4b1865fa3d6f61d.gif)

## Alternatives

- [mise](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/mise.md): CLI tool for managing development environments with version-controlled tools, environment variables, and tasks (Rust, 35.7k stars)
- [just](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/just.md): Command runner that saves and runs project-specific commands from a justfile with make-inspired syntax (Rust, 36.5k stars)
- [hyperfine](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/hyperfine.md): Command-line benchmarking tool that runs statistical analysis across multiple timing runs of shell commands (Rust, 29.2k stars)
- [fnm](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/fnm.md): Fast Node.js version manager built in Rust with support for .node-version and .nvmrc files (Rust, 27.3k stars)
- [difftastic](https://www.trmn.sh/tools/difftastic.md): Structural diff tool that compares files based on their syntax rather than lines (Rust, 26.1k stars)

## Guides

- [Keep work running with tmux sessions](https://www.trmn.sh/guides/tmux-persistent-sessions): Create, detach and reattach named tmux sessions, split windows and panes, write a minimal ~/.tmux.conf, and keep jobs alive when SSH drops.
- [Best Terminal Multiplexers](https://www.trmn.sh/best/terminal-multiplexers): Compare tmux, Zellij, WezTerm and cy: sessions, panes, tabs, detach and reattach, plus configuration and platform differences.
- [tmux vs zellij](https://www.trmn.sh/compare/tmux-vs-zellij): tmux vs zellij: C-based multiplexer with detach/reattach versus a Rust multiplexer with floating panes, WASM plugins and a web client.

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