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SPECIFICTION
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WezTerm

wezterm.org

Free plan WindowsmacOSLinux
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Spec score 8.2 #14 of 41 in Terminal apps

What it is

WezTerm is a terminal emulator and multiplexer for Windows, macOS, and Linux, implemented in Rust. It organizes terminal panes, tabs, and windows across local and remote hosts, with mouse support and scrollback. Rendering features include ligatures, color emoji, font fallback, true color, and dynamic color schemes. Configuration is file-based and supports hot reloading. An embedded SSH client provides native tabs, and WezTerm can connect to remote multiplexer instances over SSH or TLS over TCP/IP. Ad-hoc SSH sessions are non-persistent: if the network connection is interrupted, their tabs end. It can also connect to serial ports for embedded and Arduino work. Shell integration supports escape sequences for working directories, prompt zones, and user variables; user variables can work through tmux when passthrough is enabled. Image support includes the iTerm2-compatible and Kitty graphics protocols, plus experimental Sixel graphics. Pre-built downloads are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD, and NetBSD, and the code can be built from source. Windows requires 64-bit Windows 10.0.17763 or later. The MIT license permits use, modification, and distribution free of charge, with the software provided as-is without warranty.

Spec sheet

Purpose
WezTerm is a cross-platform terminal emulator and multiplexer implemented in Rust.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org
Free plan
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · wezterm.org
Configuration
Configuration uses a file with hot reloading.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org
Distribution
Pre-built downloads are provided for Windows, macOS, Linux, FreeBSD and NetBSD, and the open-source code can be built from source.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org
GPU acceleration
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · wezterm.org
Graphics protocols
WezTerm supports the iTerm2-compatible image protocol, Kitty graphics and experimental Sixel graphics.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org
License and warranty
The MIT license grants use, copying, modification, distribution, sublicensing and sale free of charge, and provides the software as-is without warranty.Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com
Multiplexing
It multiplexes terminal panes, tabs and windows on local and remote hosts with native mouse and scrollback.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org
Remote multiplexing
It can connect to remote multiplexer instances using SSH or TLS over TCP/IP.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org
Rendering
Features include ligatures, color emoji, font fallback, true color and dynamic color schemes.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org
Scripting API
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · wezterm.org
Serial integration
It can connect to serial ports for embedded and Arduino work.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org
Shell integration
Shell integration supports OSC 7, OSC 133 and OSC 1337 escape sequences for working-directory, prompt-zone and user-variable features.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org
Split panes
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · wezterm.org
SSH
WezTerm includes an embedded SSH client with native tabs.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org
SSH limitation
Ad-hoc SSH sessions are non-persistent and associated tabs die if the network connection is interrupted.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org
SSH support
YesRead 20 Sep 2026 · wezterm.org
Supported platforms
Windows,macOS,LinuxRead 20 Sep 2026 · wezterm.org
tmux integration
Shell user variables can work through tmux when tmux passthrough is enabled.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org
Windows requirement
64-bit Windows 10.0.17763 or later is required.Read 1 Oct 2026 · wezterm.org

Plans and prices

Open source Price not published Download pre-built releases or build from source · No paid plans advertised Read 20 Sep 2026 · wezterm.org
MIT-licensed software Free MIT License Read 1 Oct 2026 · github.com

Every WezTerm plan and price →

Strong points and limits

Strong points

  • Multiplexes panes, tabs, and windows
  • Embedded SSH client with native tabs
  • Configuration file supports hot reloading
  • Connects to serial ports
  • MIT-licensed and free to use

Limits

  • Ad-hoc SSH tabs end if the connection drops
  • Windows requires 64-bit Windows 10.0.17763 or later
  • Sixel graphics support is experimental
  • Software is provided without warranty

Who it suits

WezTerm suits people who want terminal sessions organized across panes, tabs, and windows, including users connecting to remote multiplexers. Its serial connections and scripting API may also suit embedded-work and automation tasks.

Verdict

WezTerm combines local and remote terminal multiplexing with an embedded SSH client and configurable rendering. Account for its non-persistent ad-hoc SSH sessions and Windows requirement if either affects your setup.

Where Specifiction places it

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