mtm

Spec sheet

Product

mtm is the Micro Terminal Multiplexer, a terminal multiplexer.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

License

mtm is free software under the GNU General Public License version 3 or, at the user's option, any later version.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Maker

The repository credits Rob King with the 2016–2019 copyright and says he posts mtm updates on Twitter.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Build requirement

Building mtm requires ncursesw; other curses implementations might work but have not been tested.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Compatibility

mtm emulates a classic ANSI text terminal and is designed to work with terminfo/termcap-based systems without requiring a new termcap entry.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Configuration

Users can change default keybindings and compile-time flags by copying config.def.h to config.h and editing it.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Design

The project describes mtm as simple, compatible, small, and stable, with around 1000 lines of code.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Function

It lets users split a terminal into multiple virtual terminals, with one focused at a time.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Keybindings

Its default command prefix is Ctrl-G, and keybindings can be changed at compile time.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Limit

The `mtm-256color` terminal type cannot display more colors than the host terminal supports.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Maintainer

The README credits copyright to Rob King for 2016–2019.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Navigation

Arrow keys move focus among virtual terminals, and `o` returns to the previously focused terminal.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Platform

The repository includes a Darwin Makefile and describes fixes to keep mtm working on modern operating systems as a possible change.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Release

The latest listed release is 1.2.1, dated October 8, 2021.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Requirements

Building mtm requires ncursesw; terminal resizing requires ncursesw compiled with its internal SIGWINCH handler.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Scrolling

PgUp, PgDown, and End scroll the screen or recenter it on the actual terminal.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Security and warranty

The project states that the software is distributed without warranty, including implied warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Simplicity

The project describes itself as having few commands and no modes.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Splitting

The `h` and `v` commands split the focused virtual terminal horizontally or vertically.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Stability

The project describes mtm as finished and says future changes are limited to bug fixes, translation and accessibility improvements, and compatibility fixes for modern operating systems.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Support and updates

The README says the only anticipated changes are bug fixes, translation improvements, accessibility improvements, and fixes for modern OS compatibility.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Terminal compatibility

mtm emulates a classic ANSI text terminal and is designed to work with terminfo/termcap-based systems without requiring a new termcap entry.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Terminal splits

It lets users split a terminal into multiple virtual terminals and move focus among them.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Terminal types

The project includes optional terminfo entries named `mtm`, `mtm-256color`, and `mtm-noutf`.Read 4 Oct 2026 · github.com

Terminfo

The optional mtm.ti file provides mtm, mtm-256color, and mtm-noutf terminal types.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com

Where Specifiction places it

• Touch Bar Apps#2 of 87.4
• Terminal Multiplexers#15 of 297.6