- Home
- Terminal Emulators
- Tilda
Tilda
What it is
Tilda is a configurable GTK terminal emulator for Linux that opens as a drop-down from the top of the screen when you press a hotkey. You can adjust its keybindings, transparency, appearance, and other behavior settings. The search bar supports forward and backward searches, case sensitivity, and regular expressions; default shortcuts let you open, switch between, and close tabs. Tilda works on Xorg-based desktops and can run on Wayland through the Xwayland plugin. It also offers a scripting API and a D-Bus interface for toggling its window when started with the `--dbus` argument. The project says it should be packaged for Debian-based distributions and notes support for some BSD systems. Install it through a distribution package manager or build it from source. Tilda is open source and maintained by volunteers. Most of its source code uses GPLv2 or later, though some files may use GPLv3 or later. The listed plan is free.
For and against
For
- Configurable keybindings, transparency, and appearance
- Search supports regular expressions and case sensitivity
- Default shortcuts manage tabs
- Includes scripting API and D-Bus interface
Against
- Wayland use requires the Xwayland plugin
- Some BSD systems are noted, but Linux is the listed platform
The verdict
Tilda focuses on quick access to a configurable terminal, with tabs and flexible search. Its desktop support is centered on Xorg, with Wayland use through Xwayland.
Who it suits
Tilda suits Linux users who want a configurable, hotkey-driven terminal, especially on Xorg desktops. It may also fit users who need tabbed terminal access, search, or scripting and D-Bus interfaces.
Plans and prices
Tilda
GPL-2.0 or GPL-3.0 licensed open-source software
Read 11 Oct 2026 · github.com
On the record
- Appearance
- Tilda supports transparency and appearance adjustments.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Configuration
- Users can configure keybindings, appearance, and other behavior options.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Configuration storage
- Tilda stores configuration and cache files in XDG directories, normally ~/.config/ and ~/.cache/.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- D-Bus
- Tilda provides a D-Bus interface that can toggle its window when started with the --dbus argument.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Dependencies
- The build guide lists GLib, GTK+ 3, VTE, libConfuse, and libx11-dev as dependencies.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Development
- The project describes itself as an open-source volunteer project and welcomes pull requests and patches.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Distribution
- The project says Tilda should be packaged for Debian and Debian-derived distributions, and can also be installed from source.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Installation
- Users can install Tilda through a distribution package manager or build it from source.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Keybindings
- Users can configure hotkeys for various functions and change keybindings in the settings.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Latest release shown
- The GitHub releases page lists Tilda 2.0.0 as the latest release, dated 2024-02-03.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- License
- The majority of the source code is licensed under GPLv2 or later, while individual files may use GPLv3 or later.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Platform limit
- Tilda works only on Xorg-based desktops, with Wayland use via Xwayland described separately.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Project model
- The project describes itself as open source and maintained by volunteers who contribute in their spare time.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Purpose
- Tilda is a configurable GTK terminal emulator that drops down from the top of the screen using a hotkey.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Scripting API
- Yesgithub.com · read 20 Sep 2026
- Search
- The search bar supports forward and backward searches, case sensitivity, and regular expressions.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Security
- The opened project pages do not state security certifications or compliance claims.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
- Support
- The README directs users to run tilda --help, consult the project wiki, or email developers listed in AUTHORS.github.com · read 11 Oct 2026
