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Tech riderRev. 4 Oct 2026

Byobu

Ch 096.9of 28 Terminal Multiplexers
  1. 1Runs onLinux, Mac
  2. 2CostsFree plan
  3. 3Persistence scopelocal
  4. 4Custom pane layoutsYes
  5. 5Access platformsLinux, BSD, macOS, terminal/CLI
5 lines stated Written from the maker's own pages: byobu.org
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The Byobu homepage

Overview

Byobu is ranked #9 of 28 in terminal multiplexers on Specifiction. It runs on Linux, macOS. There is a free plan.

Byobu plans and pricing

All plans
Byobu Free GPLv3 open source · Requires tmux ≥ 1.5 and/or GNU Screen byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026

Compared on terminal multiplexers

Free plan
Yesbyobu.org
Persistence scope
localbyobu.org
Custom pane layouts
Yesbyobu.org
Access platforms
Linux, BSD, macOS, terminal/CLIbyobu.org

Facts

Purpose
Byobu is a text-based window manager and terminal multiplexer that wraps tmux or GNU Screen with keybindings, status notifications, profile management, and split-pane layouts.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
Keybindings
Function-key shortcuts manage windows, split panes, scrolling, detaching, and other actions without requiring a prefix key.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
Status bar
Its two-line status bar can show CPU, memory, disk, network, battery, load, time, and other system information, with items independently toggleable.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
Pane management
Users can create, rename, reorder, split, zoom, and synchronize windows and panes.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
Scrollback
Each window supports up to 10,000 lines of scrollback history.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
Session persistence
Users can detach and reattach to sessions while their windows, processes, and history survive.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
Configuration
An interactive F9 menu lets users toggle status notifications, change keybinding sets, select profiles, and switch backends.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
Layouts
Users can save and restore split-pane layouts, and define repeatable window sets in configuration files.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
Backends
Byobu supports tmux and GNU Screen, defaults to tmux when available, and lets users switch backends with byobu-select-backend.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
Integrations
Byobu integrates with tmux and GNU Screen as backends and can display system indicators including network, Wi-Fi, battery, updates, RAID status, and custom scripts.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
Platforms and dependencies
The site says Byobu works on most Linux, BSD, and macOS distributions and requires tmux version 1.5 or later and/or GNU Screen.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
License
Byobu is GPLv3-licensed open-source software hosted on GitHub.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
Support
Support is largely volunteer-led; users can report bugs on GitHub Issues and ask questions on StackExchange.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026
Audience
The project was originally created to add enhancements to GNU Screen for Ubuntu server users and now describes itself as a terminal enhancement layer for Linux, BSD, and macOS.byobu.org · 4 Oct 2026

Company

Founded
2008byobu.org · 28 Sept 2026

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Where it ranks on Specifiction

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Sources