Enjoy the functionality of a tiling window manager directly on the console, eliminating the need for a graphical user interface (GUI).What’s not to appreciate?

Many console-based power users are leveraging tiling window managers, or even tiling Wayland compositors, to efficiently manage multiple terminal sessions. However, achieving tiling directly within your console offers an even more streamlined approach. This article explores several methods for tiling your terminals.

GNU screen

The original tool in this category is GNU Screen. In 2024,version 5 was released,and recently version 5.0.1 has become available. As a GNU tool dating back to the 1980s, it boasts compatibility across a wide range of systems.However, its interface can be complex and challenging to master. For example, when used locally, it distinguishes between sessions and windows, making it easy to create empty windows. It also supports features like baud rates for serial lines. While this may be relevant for some, it is largely outdated for most users. Despite its potential for confusion, Screen offers numerous opportunities for introductory guides and even cheat sheets.

“Screen is powerfully confusing, but on the flip side, that does offer lots of opportunities for easy introductions and even cheat sheets.”

Tmux

Tmux is a popular option to GNU Screen. It offers similar functionality but with a more modern design and user interface.Tmux is actively maintained and provides features such as session persistence, window management, and customizable keybindings. It is available on most Unix-like operating systems and can be easily installed using package managers.

Tmux also supports plugins, which can extend its functionality with features like system monitoring, integration with other tools, and enhanced status bars. These plugins can be installed and managed using a plugin manager such as TPM (Tmux Plugin Manager).

Zellij

Zellij is a terminal workspace with a focus on simplicity. It is written in Rust, offering a modern and efficient alternative to traditional terminal multiplexers. Zellij features a user-friendly interface, customizable layouts, and plugin support.

Zellij’s plugin system allows users to extend its functionality with features such as system monitoring, file management, and integration with other tools. Plugins can be written in any language that supports WebAssembly (Wasm),providing a flexible and powerful way to customize the terminal workspace.

To install Zellij, you can use a pre-built binary or build it from source using Cargo.

DVTM

for those who prefer minimalism and are wary of complex programs, DVTM may be a better fit. It is smaller, simpler, and easier to use than Tmux, although it offers fewer features. Unlike tmux and Screen, DVTM does not have built-in session management. Tho, it can be used with abduco for comparable functionality.

Dvtm, showing its status bar at the top, Tilde, Htop, and its manpage – click to enlarge

Twin

twin,created by Massimiliano Ghilardi,has been in development for over 20 years. It is indeed a Textmode Window Environment available in the Ubuntu Noble repositories. Twin brings a Borland TurboVision-style TUI to the Linux console.

Twin is something else, literally, as even though it can, it doesn’t just do tiling or terminals – click to enlarge

Twin offers an interface reminiscent of IBM’s Cua and supports mouse input with the gpm package. It can tile terminal windows and handle overlapping ones. While there were some issues with mouse tracking in a VM and CUA-style keyboard shortcuts, Twin shows important potential.

Expanding Twin to incorporate functionalities from other tools, such as a CUA text editor and file manager, could be beneficial. While tools like Tilde,Ranger, and F2 Commander exist, they lack a uniform UI. Twin could perhaps revive the concept of a text-only desktop environment.

Micro Terminal Multiplexer

for a minimalist tiling solution, mtm may be suitable. Created by Rob King, Mtm offers a simple and lightweight terminal multiplexer.

Mtm is micro by name and nature, but it does the job, if you compile it yourself – click to enlarge

As packages for Mtm are not readily available, compiling from source is necessary. On ubuntu, this requires installing the ncurses development libraries:

sudo apt install lib64ncurses-dev

Choosing the Right tool

The best tool depends on individual needs. Screen is versatile but complex. Tmux is widespread and feature-rich, though somewhat arcane. Byobu can simplify its usage.

zellij stands out for its ease of use and helpful UI, with customizable views. For GUI-level tiling, options like Terminator and Tilix are available.Wezterm offers a Rust-based alternative for BSD, macOS, and Windows.