Shpool
github.com
What it is
Shpool is free, open-source software for keeping named shell sessions alive when connections drop. It targets users who want persistence without terminal multiplexing features such as split windows or tiled panes, preserving native terminal scrollback and copy-paste. For SSH, Shpool runs on the remote host and needs no additional client software. Users reconnect with `shpool attach`; the terminal state is redrawn after reattachment. The command line can list, detach, or kill sessions, and `--ttl` sets a session lifetime. Variables in session names and attach options can redirect terminals to newly named sessions when values change. Bash, zsh, and fish support automatic session-name prompt prefixes. The README documents SSH configuration, shell-function patterns, Cargo installation through crates.io, and Homebrew installation on macOS. Shpool supports Linux, macOS, SSH, and command-line shells. It is licensed Apache-2.0, reports zero advisories, and allows only one client per session.
Spec sheet
- Purpose
- Shpool creates named persistent shell sessions that survive dropped connections.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Intended users
- Shpool is aimed at people who want shell session persistence without terminal multiplexing features.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Platforms
- Shpool runs on Linux and macOS; Linux is the primary supported platform, and some macOS tests do not pass.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Integrations
- The README documents SSH configuration and shell-function patterns for automatically attaching to sessions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Security
- The repository's Security and quality page reports zero advisories.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies the project as licensed under Apache-2.0.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Installation
- The README documents installation through crates.io with Cargo and through Homebrew on macOS.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Reattachment
- Users can reconnect to an existing named session with `shpool attach`, and Shpool redraws the terminal state after reattachment.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Remote use
- For SSH use, Shpool is installed on the remote host and requires no extra software on the client.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Session controls
- The CLI can list, detach, and kill sessions, and can set a session lifetime with the `--ttl` flag.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Session limitation
- Only one client can be connected to a particular session at a time.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Shell support
- Automatic session-name prompt prefixes are supported for bash, zsh, and fish.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Templates
- Variables can be used in session names and attach options, and changing a variable can switch attached terminals to newly named sessions.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
- Terminal behavior
- It provides session persistence without window splitting or tiling, preserving native terminal scrollback and copy-paste.Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Plans and prices
Shpool Free Open-source shell session persistence software · Apache-2.0 license Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
Strong points and limits
Strong points
- Free Apache-2.0 open-source license
- Preserves native scrollback and copy-paste
- Reconnects with `shpool attach`
- Supports Linux, macOS, and SSH
- Session lifetime controlled with `--ttl`
Limits
- Only one client per session
- No session synchronization
- No collaboration features
- No custom pane layouts
Who it suits
It suits command-line users who need persistent local or remote shell sessions without panes or window management. SSH users can install it on the remote host while keeping the client unchanged.
Verdict
Shpool focuses narrowly on persistent shell sessions rather than multiplexing or collaboration. Its remote-host SSH model and native terminal behavior fit users who want reconnectable sessions without extra client software.
Where Specifiction places it
- Terminal Multiplexers#17 of 297.5
