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Byobu

byobu.org

Free plan macOSLinux
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Spec score 8.1 #6 of 29 in Terminal Multiplexers

What it is

Byobu is a free, GPLv3-licensed text-based window manager and terminal multiplexer for Linux, BSD, and macOS. It runs over tmux or GNU Screen and adds function-key controls, status notifications, profiles, and split-pane layouts. Users can create, rename, reorder, split, zoom, and synchronize windows and panes, then save layouts for restoration or define repeatable window sets in configuration files. Detaching and reattaching preserves windows, processes, and history, with up to 10,000 lines of scrollback per window. A two-line status bar can display CPU, memory, disk, network, battery, load, time, and other indicators, each independently toggleable. The interactive F9 menu changes notifications, keybinding sets, profiles, and backend selection. Byobu defaults to tmux when available but supports GNU Screen and switching through byobu-select-backend. The project requires tmux 1.5 or later and/or GNU Screen. Support is largely volunteer-led through GitHub Issues and StackExchange.

Spec sheet

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.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
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.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
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.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
Support
Support is largely volunteer-led; users can report bugs on GitHub Issues and ask questions on StackExchange.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
License
Byobu is GPLv3-licensed open-source software hosted on GitHub.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
Founded
2008Read 28 Sep 2026 · byobu.org
Backends
Byobu supports tmux and GNU Screen, defaults to tmux when available, and lets users switch backends with byobu-select-backend.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
Configuration
An interactive F9 menu lets users toggle status notifications, change keybinding sets, select profiles, and switch backends.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
Keybindings
Function-key shortcuts manage windows, split panes, scrolling, detaching, and other actions without requiring a prefix key.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
Layouts
Users can save and restore split-pane layouts, and define repeatable window sets in configuration files.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
Pane management
Users can create, rename, reorder, split, zoom, and synchronize windows and panes.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
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.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
Scrollback
Each window supports up to 10,000 lines of scrollback history.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
Session persistence
Users can detach and reattach to sessions while their windows, processes, and history survive.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
Status bar
Its two-line status bar can show CPU, memory, disk, network, battery, load, time, and other system information, with items independently toggleable.Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org

Plans and prices

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

Every Byobu plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Free GPLv3 open-source software
  • Preserves sessions, processes, and history
  • Offers configurable two-line status information
  • Supports saved and repeatable pane layouts
  • Works with tmux or GNU Screen

Limits

  • Requires tmux 1.5 or later and/or GNU Screen
  • Support is largely volunteer-led
  • Persistence is local
  • No Windows platform is listed

Who it suits

Byobu suits terminal users on Linux, BSD, or macOS who need persistent sessions, split panes, configurable shortcuts, and system-status indicators. It is especially relevant when tmux or GNU Screen is already available.

Verdict

Byobu adds session management, pane controls, status indicators, and profiles on top of tmux or GNU Screen. Its usefulness depends on those backends and on a Linux, BSD, or macOS terminal environment.

Where Specifiction places it

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