zellij-org/zellij

Zellij is a terminal workspace, a category of software often called a terminal multiplexer. The core problem it solves is that when you work in a terminal (the command-line interface on your computer), you normally only get one window at a time. If you want to run multiple programs simultaneously, for example, a server, a log viewer, and a file editor, you either need to open many separate terminal windows or constantly switch between tasks. Zellij lets you split a single terminal into multiple panes and tabs, all running at the same time, and persist that setup across sessions. What sets Zellij apart from older tools in this space (like tmux or screen) is its focus on being approachable out of the box while still supporting advanced use cases. It has a visible keybinding bar at the bottom so you do not need to memorize commands to get started. It supports layouts, saved pane arrangements you can reload instantly, so you can recreate your entire development environment with one command. Panes can float on top of each other or stack, giving you flexible ways to organize your workspace. There is true multiplayer support, meaning multiple users can connect to the same session simultaneously. Zellij also has a plugin system that accepts code written in any language that compiles to WebAssembly, a portable, sandboxed format, so developers can extend its functionality without deep Rust knowledge. It even includes a built-in web client, meaning you can access a running Zellij session through a browser. You would use Zellij if you spend significant time in the terminal and want a more organized, persistent workspace, for software development, system administration, or any workflow involving multiple concurrent terminal tasks. It is written in Rust, which gives it strong performance and memory safety characteristics. Installation is available via package managers, pre-built binaries, or Rust's own cargo build tool.