Paneflow vs Zellij
Paneflow coordinates local coding agents: panes, branches, diffs, status, and MCP context in one graphical workspace. Zellij multiplexes terminal sessions: detach, reattach, remote access, layouts, plugins, and multiplayer inside any terminal.
Supervise local agents
Paneflow keeps agent panes, branch context, diffs, and status visible together. Zellij can run the same agent CLIs, but treats them as ordinary terminal processes.
Keep remote terminal sessions alive
Zellij is built for detach, reattach, SSH and HTTPS remote attach, the web client, and multiplayer sessions. Paneflow restores a local workspace, but it does not keep closed processes alive.
Expose pane context to agents
Paneflow ships a read-only MCP server (list_panes, read_pane, search_pane). Zellij has no native MCP server; community bridges can add one.
The important differences
Choose based on the job: supervising local coding agents, or keeping terminal sessions portable and alive across machines.
| Paneflow | Zellij | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Supervising local coding agents in one graphical workspace | Multiplexing shells and sessions inside any terminal |
| Agent tracking | 16 CLI launchers + status tracking | Runs agents as normal processes; no built-in agent state |
| Pane context for agents | Native read-only MCP: list_panes, read_pane, search_pane | No native MCP; community bridges can add one |
| Remote sessions | No remote detach/reattach | SSH detach/reattach, HTTPS remote attach, web client |
| Session persistence | Restores layout and working directories; terminal output starts fresh and processes stop when the app closes | Server model keeps sessions alive and supports resurrection |
| Extensibility | No user plugin system today; scripting via JSON-RPC | KDL layouts + WASM plugins |
| Diff and review | In-app worktree diff + launch an agent review in a pane | No native code review surface |
Versions checked July 2026: Paneflow v0.7.6 (GPL-3.0-or-later). Zellij v0.44.3, May 2026 release (MIT). GitHub star counts are omitted because they change daily.
Which tool should you use?
The split is simple: Paneflow owns the local agent workspace; Zellij owns portable terminal sessions.
Choose Paneflow if
- -You run several coding agents locally and need status, branch, and diff context visible
- -You want agents to read other panes over MCP and review worktree diffs
- -You prefer a native GUI for local work over a TUI inside a terminal
Choose Zellij if
- -You work over SSH or on headless machines and need sessions to survive disconnects
- -You need HTTPS remote attach, a web client, multiplayer sessions, or WASM plugins
- -You want a terminal-native multiplexer with discoverable keybindings and KDL layouts
Frequently asked questions
Is Paneflow a replacement for Zellij?
For local agent work, often yes. Paneflow covers panes, workspace restore, agent launchers, status tracking, MCP pane reading, and diff review. It does not replace Zellij's remote side: detach/reattach, SSH and HTTPS remote attach, the web client, and multiplayer sessions.
Does Zellij have AI agent features like Paneflow?
Not natively. Zellij can run any CLI agent and exposes useful terminal automation, but it does not track agent status or ship an MCP server for pane context. Community MCP bridges exist. Paneflow ships launchers, status detection, and read-only MCP tools out of the box.
Can Paneflow detach and reattach sessions like Zellij?
No. Paneflow restores the workspace around your shells: panes, layouts, working directories, and metadata. Historical terminal output starts fresh, and processes do not stay alive after the app closes. Zellij's server model supports detach, reattach, session resurrection, and HTTPS remote attach.
Can I run Zellij inside Paneflow?
Yes. Paneflow panes are real terminals, so Zellij runs there like in any emulator. The combination is useful when a Paneflow pane SSHes into a remote machine and Zellij keeps the remote session alive.
Try the tool that fits your terminals
Coordinating local coding agents? Download Paneflow or read the getting-started guide. Living in SSH sessions, plugins, or terminal sharing? Discover Zellij on GitHub.