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ZMX is a tool designed for persisting terminal sessions, allowing users to attach and detach from shell sessions without terminating them. It focuses on session management without the additional complexity of window management features found in tools like tmux. It supports multiple clients connecting to the same session and maintains the terminal state and output when re-attaching.
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Zmx is a tool designed for session persistence in terminal processes, offering an alternative to tmux. It allows users to create, attach, and detach terminal sessions without terminating them. Users can connect multiple clients to a single session, and reattaching restores the previous terminal state and output. Unlike tmux, which incorporates features like windows and splits, zmx focuses solely on managing shell sessions, leaving window management to the operating system's window manager. This streamlines the development environment and avoids redundant functionality.
Installation is straightforward on macOS and Linux, with binaries available for different architectures. Users can also build zmx from source using Zig. The tool provides several commands for session management, including attaching to existing sessions, sending commands without attaching, and listing active sessions. It supports shell integration with auto-completion for commands and sessions, enhancing user experience and efficiency. Users can customize their terminal prompts to reflect the active zmx session, which helps maintain context while working.
For remote workflows, zmx integrates seamlessly with SSH. Users can create SSH config entries to attach to specific zmx sessions automatically, allowing for quick reconnections. The tool supports autossh for maintaining persistent connections, making it suitable for users who frequently switch between tasks or devices. Each session operates through its own Unix socket, with logs stored for command history and session outputs, aiding in debugging and development. Despite its focused scope, zmx aims to simplify terminal management while maximizing the use of terminal emulator features.
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