Terminal GuideCmux
Native macOS terminal built on libghostty, designed for AI coding agents with notification rings and vertical tabs.
Official WebsiteFeatures
Why Use Cmux?
Cmux is a native macOS terminal application built on Ghostty's rendering engine (libghostty). Designed specifically for AI coding agents and terminal-based workflows, it provides features like notification rings and vertical tabs that streamline working with tools like Claude Code.
AI Agent Support
Notification rings visually indicate when AI agents like Claude Code or Codex need your attention, so you can multitask without missing important prompts.
Vertical Tabs
Vertical tab sidebar shows git branch, working directory, and active ports at a glance for each session.
GPU Acceleration
Powered by libghostty, the same rendering engine as Ghostty, delivering fast and smooth GPU-accelerated terminal rendering.
Embedded Browser
Built-in scriptable browser lets you preview web apps, check documentation, or view AI outputs without leaving the terminal.
Main Features
Notification Rings
Cmux displays colored notification rings on tabs when a background process finishes or needs user input. This is especially useful when running multiple AI coding agents in parallel — you can immediately see which tab requires your attention without switching between them.
Vertical Tabs
The vertical tab sidebar provides rich context for each session. Each tab displays the current git branch, working directory, and any active network ports. This makes it easy to manage multiple projects or agent sessions simultaneously.
Split Panes
Split your terminal horizontally or vertically to view multiple sessions side by side. Combined with vertical tabs, you can organize complex workflows with agents, servers, and manual terminals all visible at once.
Embedded Browser
Cmux includes a built-in browser that can be opened alongside your terminal sessions. Preview local development servers, read documentation, or inspect AI-generated outputs without switching to a separate application.
Scriptable API
Cmux exposes a scriptable API that allows you to automate terminal operations programmatically. Create custom workflows, control panes and tabs, and integrate with external tools and scripts.
Installation
DMG Download
Download the latest DMG from the official website or GitHub Releases.
# Download from the official site
# https://www.cmux.dev/
# Or download from GitHub Releases
# https://github.com/nichochar/cmux/releasesHomebrew Cask
# Install via Homebrew Cask
brew install --cask cmuxDefault Keyboard Shortcuts
Below are the default shortcuts for macOS.
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
⌘T | Open new tab |
⌘N | Open new window |
⌘W | Close current tab/pane |
⌘D | Split pane vertically |
⌘⇧D | Split pane horizontally |
⌘] / ⌘[ | Move to next/previous pane |
⌘1-9 | Switch tabs by number |
⌘F | Search |
⌘+ / ⌘- | Increase/decrease font size |
⌘0 | Reset font size |
AI Agent Integration
Cmux is designed with AI coding agents in mind. Here's how to get the most out of it.
Working with Claude Code
Run Claude Code in one or more tabs, and use notification rings to monitor progress. When Claude Code finishes a task or asks for confirmation, the tab's ring lights up so you can respond promptly.
# Open multiple Claude Code sessions in separate tabs
# Tab 1: Frontend work
claude
# Tab 2: Backend work (⌘T to open new tab)
claude
# Notification rings will alert you when each agent
# needs your attentionMulti-Agent Workflow
The vertical tabs show the git branch for each session, making it easy to run agents on different feature branches simultaneously. Use split panes to keep a server log visible while an agent works on code.
# Example: parallel agent workflow
# Tab 1 (feature/auth branch): AI agent working on auth
# Tab 2 (feature/api branch): AI agent working on API
# Tab 3 (main branch): manual testing & review
# Each tab shows its branch name in the sidebar,
# so you always know which context you're inTips
- *Notification Rings: Keep multiple agent tabs open and let the notification rings guide your attention — no need to constantly switch between tabs to check progress.
- *Vertical Tabs: The sidebar shows git branch and working directory for each tab. Use this to quickly identify which project or feature branch each session belongs to.
- *Embedded Browser: Use the built-in browser to preview your local development server (
localhost:3000) alongside your terminal, eliminating context switches. - *Split Panes + Agents: Split your view to watch server logs in one pane while an AI agent works in another — catch errors in real time.
- *libghostty Engine: Cmux uses the same GPU-accelerated rendering engine as Ghostty, ensuring fast and smooth terminal output even with large logs.
- *macOS Native: Built with Swift and native macOS APIs, Cmux integrates seamlessly with system features like dark mode and keyboard shortcuts.