Zellij is a free, open-source terminal multiplexer: one window where you split your terminal into panes, tabs and sessions. Version 0.46, released November 11, 2026, adds an Attention Inbox that shows which pane is waiting on you, which makes it a natural home for running several AI coding agents at once.
Zellij at a glance
Price | Free, open source |
|---|---|
Latest version | 0.46.0 (Nov 11, 2026) |
What it is | Terminal multiplexer (an alternative to tmux) |
Built-in terminal tray | Linux, macOS, Windows |
What's new in 0.46
Attention Inbox: shows which pane, tab and session needs you, using the OSC7501 protocol many programs already support.
Session previews: peek at other sessions and send a quick command without switching.
Built-in terminal: launch with
zellij terminal, using Zellij's own text interface.Settings screen and right-click menu: configure Zellij while it runs and add quick actions.
Theme editor with contrast checks, horizontal stacks, a hideable UI, and the option to embed Zellij in your own Rust app.
What you can do with it
Run Claude Code in one pane, Codex in another and your tests in a third, and get flagged when any of them needs input.
Keep long-running agent sessions alive and check on them without losing your place.
Share a consistent layout across machines.
Our take
The Attention Inbox solves a real new problem: when you run three agents, you waste time checking which one is stuck. Zellij has quietly become one of the best ways to manage that from the terminal, and it costs nothing. If you live in the terminal, try it.
Zellij alternatives
Paradev: a desktop app that gives each agent its own Git worktree.
Project OS: task files and review roles for Claude Code and Codex.
Frequently asked questions
Is Zellij free?
Yes, it's free and open source.
How do I install it?
Download it from the Zellij releases page on GitHub.
As featured in World of AI
DeepSeek puts its whole app into the API (Nov 13, 2026)
Facts checked against the Zellij 0.46 release notes on November 13, 2026.
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