- Home
- Terminal Multiplexers
- Shpool
Shpool
What it is
Shpool is free, open-source software for maintaining named shell sessions when connections drop. It is designed for users who want persistence without terminal multiplexing features such as split windows or tiled panes. Sessions retain the terminal’s usual scrollback and copy-paste behavior. After reconnecting, `shpool attach` joins a named session and redraws its terminal state. The command-line interface can list, detach, or kill sessions, and `--ttl` sets a session lifetime. For SSH workflows, Shpool runs on the remote host, so the client requires no additional software. Variables can be used in session names and attach options; changing one can move terminals to newly named sessions. Bash, zsh, and fish support automatic session-name prompt prefixes. Documentation covers SSH configuration, shell functions, Cargo installation through crates.io, and Homebrew installation on macOS. Shpool supports Linux, macOS, SSH, and command-line shells. Only one client can connect to a session at once. The project uses the Apache-2.0 license.
For and against
For
- Sessions survive dropped connections
- Keeps native scrollback and copy-paste
- No client software needed for SSH
- CLI lists, detaches, and kills sessions
- Supports bash, zsh, and fish prompts
Against
- Only one client per session
- No session synchronization
- No collaboration features
- No custom pane layouts
The verdict
Shpool focuses on shell persistence while leaving terminal behavior unchanged. It is a fit for Linux or macOS command-line users who prefer sessions over multiplexing features.
Who it suits
Shpool suits people who need persistent shell sessions but do not want pane layouts or other terminal multiplexing features. It also fits SSH users who can install software on the remote host.
Plans and prices
Shpool
Open-source shell session persistence software · Apache-2.0 license
Read 9 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Installation
- The README documents installation through crates.io with Cargo and through Homebrew on macOS.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Integrations
- The README documents SSH configuration and shell-function patterns for automatically attaching to sessions.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Intended users
- Shpool is aimed at people who want shell session persistence without terminal multiplexing features.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- License
- The GitHub repository identifies the project as licensed under Apache-2.0.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Shpool creates named persistent shell sessions that survive dropped connections.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Reattachment
- Users can reconnect to an existing named session with `shpool attach`, and Shpool redraws the terminal state after reattachment.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Remote use
- For SSH use, Shpool is installed on the remote host and requires no extra software on the client.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Security
- The repository's Security and quality page reports zero advisories.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Session controls
- The CLI can list, detach, and kill sessions, and can set a session lifetime with the `--ttl` flag.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Session limitation
- Only one client can be connected to a particular session at a time.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Shell support
- Automatic session-name prompt prefixes are supported for bash, zsh, and fish.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Templates
- Variables can be used in session names and attach options, and changing a variable can switch attached terminals to newly named sessions.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
- Terminal behavior
- It provides session persistence without window splitting or tiling, preserving native terminal scrollback and copy-paste.github.com · read 9 Oct 2026
