AI Code Assistant

cmux

cmux is a native macOS terminal for coding agents, with tabs, panes, notifications, automation, and browser integration.

What is cmux?

cmux is a macOS terminal app designed to help developers organize many terminal-based workflows, especially coding agents, with vertical tabs, split panes, notifications, browser integration, and automation.

cmux vs Similar AI Tools

Pricing ModelFreeFree, Freemium, PaidFreeFree, Paid
Free Credits
Key Features
  • Vertical tabs with sidebar context for branch, directory, ports, and notifications
  • Notification rings, unread badges, popovers, and macOS desktop notifications
  • In-app browser that can be split alongside the terminal
  • Local-first: runs on 127.0.0.1, code never leaves your machine
  • Typing every line yourself, not autocomplete
  • Socratic tutor that reviews and explains each line
  • Policy-based command gating (allow/ask/deny) with first-match-wins rules
  • Blast radius preview for git, PostgreSQL, Terraform, and file operations
  • Automatic backups before destructive operations (git ref pinning, pg_dump, rm insurance)
  • Visual Miller-column workbench for inspecting tool calls, item properties, and thread structure
  • Tree-based conversation with branching sub-threads, not a linear chat
  • Extensible plugin system for context items, slash commands, and LLM strategies
Pros
  • Built specifically for coding agents and multitasking
  • Native macOS app with GPU-accelerated rendering
  • Local-first: code stays on your machine
  • Hands-on: you type every line, reinforcing learning
  • Provides command previews before execution
  • Automatic backups for destructive operations
  • Visual, inspectable interface for AI coding sessions
  • Tree-based conversations enable nonlinear exploration
Cons
  • macOS only
  • Not a tmux replacement for every workflow
  • Early beta, still improving
  • Limited to certain AI models (Anthropic primarily)
  • Hooks are cooperative, not enforced (agent can bypass)
  • Native agent tools (e.g., file editing) are not gated
  • Learning curve for users accustomed to linear chat interfaces
  • Headless server setup may be complex for non-technical users
Best For
  • Mac developers
  • AI coding agent users
  • Engineering teams standardizing onboarding
  • Junior developers building deep code understanding
  • Developers using AI coding agents like Claude Code or Cursor
  • Teams needing visibility and control over agent-issued shell commands
  • Developers who want fine-grained control over AI code generation and edits
  • Teams needing real-time collaborative coding sessions

How to use cmux?

  1. 1Download the macOS app from the latest release.
  2. 2Install and open cmux on your Mac.
  3. 3Create tabs and split panes to separate workflows.
  4. 4Use the sidebar, notifications, and browser panel to track agent activity.
  5. 5Connect automation through the CLI or socket API when needed.
  6. 6Customize keyboard shortcuts and terminal behavior for your workflow.

cmux Key Features

  • Vertical tabs with sidebar context for branch, directory, ports, and notifications
  • Notification rings, unread badges, popovers, and macOS desktop notifications
  • In-app browser that can be split alongside the terminal
  • Horizontal and vertical split panes within tabs
  • Scriptable automation through a CLI and socket API
  • GPU-accelerated rendering powered by libghostty
  • Native Swift + AppKit macOS app
  • Customizable keyboard shortcuts and cmux-specific shortcuts

cmux Use Cases

  • Managing multiple coding agents in one organized workspace
  • Monitoring long-running terminal jobs that need attention
  • Splitting terminal and browser views for research or debugging
  • Automating agent workflows with CLI or socket commands
  • Keeping development tabs organized by branch, project, and port

cmux Pricing & Free Credits

cmux currently operates on a Free model.

This tool is completely free to use

Free

$0

Free to use and source-available on GitHub.

cmux Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Built specifically for coding agents and multitasking
  • Native macOS app with GPU-accelerated rendering
  • Useful notifications and visual attention cues
  • Browser integration and terminal splits in one app
  • Automation support via CLI and socket API

Cons

  • macOS only
  • Not a tmux replacement for every workflow
  • Requires a Mac and terminal-based tools to get the most value

What is cmux best for?

  • Mac developers
  • AI coding agent users
  • Developers running many terminal workflows
  • Users who want a native alternative to tmux-style organization
  • Teams that need visual alerts for terminal tasks

cmux FAQ

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