zellij

Modern terminal workspace multiplexer

TLDR

Start a new session

$ zellij

Start a named session

$ zellij -s [session_name]

List existing sessions

$ zellij list-sessions

Attach to existing session

$ zellij attach [session_name]

Run with specific layout

$ zellij --layout [layout_name]

Detach from session (keybinding)

$ Ctrl+o d

zellij is a terminal workspace manager (multiplexer) similar to tmux and screen, but with a modern approach. It provides panes, tabs, and sessions with a discoverable keyboard-driven interface.Key features include floating panes, a plugin system (WebAssembly-based), built-in layouts for common workflows, and a status bar showing available keybindings.Default keybindings use modes accessed via Ctrl+key: Ctrl+p for pane mode, Ctrl+t for tab mode, Ctrl+n for resize mode, Ctrl+h for move mode, Ctrl+s for scroll mode, Ctrl+o for session mode.Configuration is in ~/.config/zellij/config.kdl using KDL format. Layouts define pane arrangements for reusable workspace setups.

PARAMETERS

-s, --session name

Name for the new session

--layout layout

Use specified layout file

-l, --layout-path path

Path to layout file

-c, --config file

Path to config file

--config-dir dir

Path to config directory

-n, --new-session-with-layout layout

Create new session with layout

SUBCOMMANDS

attach name

Attach to an existing session

list-sessions, ls

List active sessions

kill-session name

Kill specified session

kill-all-sessions

Kill all sessions

setup

Setup wizard and shell integration

options

Change session options

INSTALL

sudo pacman -S zellij

sudo apk add zellij

sudo zypper install zellij

brew install zellij

nix profile install nixpkgs#zellij

CAVEATS

Some key combinations may conflict with shell or application bindings. Zellij's mode system helps avoid conflicts.Plugin development requires Rust and WebAssembly knowledge.Sessions persist until explicitly killed, potentially consuming resources if forgotten.