Byobu
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, adding function-key shortcuts, status notifications, profile management, and split-pane layouts. Its shortcuts can manage windows, panes, scrolling, and session detachment without a prefix key. Users can create, rename, reorder, split, zoom, and synchronize windows and panes, and save layouts to restore later. Sessions can be detached and reattached while windows, processes, and history remain available; each window supports up to 10,000 lines of scrollback. A two-line status bar can show system details such as CPU, memory, disk, network, battery, load, and time, with each item toggleable. The F9 menu provides controls for notifications, keybinding sets, profiles, and backend choice. Byobu defaults to tmux when available and supports GNU Screen as an alternative; users can switch backends with byobu-select-backend. It requires tmux version 1.5 or later and/or GNU Screen. Support is largely volunteer-led, with bug reports on GitHub Issues and questions on StackExchange.
For and against
For
- Free and GPLv3-licensed.
- Supports tmux and GNU Screen backends.
- Sessions retain windows, processes, and history when detached.
- Status bar items can be toggled independently.
- Supports up to 10,000 lines of scrollback per window.
Against
- Requires tmux version 1.5 or later and/or GNU Screen.
- Support is largely volunteer-led.
- Designed for terminal use rather than a graphical interface.
The verdict
Byobu adds configurable window, pane, and status tools to tmux or GNU Screen. It is worth considering if you already use a supported backend and want persistent, organized terminal sessions.
Who it suits
Byobu suits terminal users on Linux, BSD, or macOS who want window, pane, and session management over tmux or GNU Screen. Its shortcuts and status indicators may be useful for people who work with persistent terminal sessions.
Plans and prices
Byobu
GPLv3 open source · Requires tmux ≥ 1.5 and/or GNU Screen
Read 4 Oct 2026 · byobu.org
On the record
- 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 · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- An interactive F9 menu lets users toggle status notifications, change keybinding sets, select profiles, and switch backends.byobu.org · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- Keybindings
- Function-key shortcuts manage windows, split panes, scrolling, detaching, and other actions without requiring a prefix key.byobu.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Layouts
- Users can save and restore split-pane layouts, and define repeatable window sets in configuration files.byobu.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- License
- Byobu is GPLv3-licensed open-source software hosted on GitHub.byobu.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Pane management
- Users can create, rename, reorder, split, zoom, and synchronize windows and panes.byobu.org · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- Scrollback
- Each window supports up to 10,000 lines of scrollback history.byobu.org · read 4 Oct 2026
- Session persistence
- Users can detach and reattach to sessions while their windows, processes, and history survive.byobu.org · read 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 · read 4 Oct 2026
- Support
- Support is largely volunteer-led; users can report bugs on GitHub Issues and ask questions on StackExchange.byobu.org · read 4 Oct 2026
