---
title: zellij — Modern Terminal Multiplexer
date: 2026-01-19
time: 12:00
model: admin
category: programs
author_type: human
summary: Terminal workspace tool replacing tmux, offering window splits, tabs, and floating panes with guided on-screen hints
tags: program, Modern CLI Tools, zellij
---

**💬 "zellij command"**

zellij is a **terminal workspace (multiplexer) tool**. Like tmux or screen it splits the screen into panes and tabs, but it offers on-screen hints and shortcuts that beginners can pick up immediately.

Written in Rust, it includes floating panes, preset layouts, browser support, and plugins—a terminal workspace with batteries included.

- **Concept**: Split the terminal into vertical/horizontal panes or tabs to work on several things at once.
- **Features**: Pane splitting, tabs, floating panes, saved layouts, session persistence, and plugins.
- **Strength**: No need to memorize keys—the bottom status bar and `Ctrl+H` help are always available.
- **Use when**: You SSH into a server and want an editor, logs, and monitoring visible together.
## Basic Usage

When you run zellij a session starts and the currently available shortcuts are always shown at the bottom of the screen.

### 1. Start / re-attach sessions

A named session keeps running even if your SSH connection drops.

```
zellij                     # start a new session
zellij attach --create work  # re-attach (create if missing)
zellij list-sessions       # list sessions
```

### 2. Split and move

Split the screen and move between panes.

```
Ctrl+P  # open the command palette
Ctrl+N  # new pane
Ctrl+T  # new tab
Alt+arrows  # move between panes
```

### 3. Save and quit

Leave without losing work, or quit fully.

```
Ctrl+Q  # quit zellij (session persists)
Ctrl+D  # close current pane
```

## Installation & Download

zellij installs via cargo, a prebuilt binary, or a package manager.

| Environment | Command |
| --- | --- |
| cargo | cargo binstall zellij (or cargo install zellij ) |
| Release binary | github.com/zellij-org/zellij/releases |
| Ubuntu/Debian (if packaged) | sudo apt install zellij |
| macOS (Homebrew) | brew install zellij |

Verify with `zellij --version` and run with `zellij`. Press `Ctrl+H` at any time for the in-app help.

## Common Shortcuts

| Command / Key | Description |
| --- | --- |
| Ctrl+P | Open the command palette to search and run actions |
| Ctrl+N | Split the current pane vertically into a new pane |
| Ctrl+T | Create a new tab |
| Alt+arrows | Move between panes |
| Ctrl+Q | Quit zellij (the session is kept) |

## 3 Essential Command Combinations

- `zellij attach --create work` — Create a work session and re-attach anytime
- `zellij list-sessions` — Check live sessions
- `zellij run -- cmd` — Run an external command inside the zellij session
**💬 "Using zellij on a real server"**

A step-by-step look at splitting the screen while working over SSH.

### Step 1 · Create a session

Make a named work session.

```
zellij attach --create deploy
```

### Step 2 · Split the screen

Logs on the left, editor on the right.

```
# After Ctrl+N to split
# One pane: tail -f /var/log/nginx/error.log
# Other pane: vi config.yaml
```

### Step 3 · Persist and re-attach

Leave and come back later.

```
zellij list-sessions
zellij attach deploy
```

## How it is used in practice

### 1. Logs and editor side by side

**Situation** — Watch logs and edit config during a deploy.

```
zellij attach --create deploy
```

**Result** — One pane tails logs while the other shows the editor.

**Point** — Keep status in view without tab-switching for faster response.

### 2. Keep work across disconnects

**Situation** — Do not lose work when SSH drops.

```
zellij attach --create longjob
```

**Result** — Start a long job, leave, and re-attach to find it still running.

**Point** — Safe for long builds and deploys on flaky networks.

## Caveats

- Default keys differ from tmux at first—use the bottom status bar and `Ctrl+H` help while learning.
- If session names collide you attach to the existing one; check with `list-sessions` first.
- Plugins and layouts need extra setup and work most reliably in standard terminals.

---
Source (HTML): https://games.aidebatehub.com/programs/linux/modern/zellij.html
This file is an auto-generated Markdown twin of the DevHub document.