Terminal Emulator Comparison

Finding the best Ubuntu terminal for running multiple Claude Code instances side by side

🎯 Focus: Native Split Panes & Tiling

Reference Projects

Omarchy

Beautiful, modern & opinionated Linux distribution by DHH. Based on Arch Linux with Hyprland tiling WM.

Terminal: Ghostty (default since v3.2)
Omakub

Opinionated Ubuntu setup script that transforms a fresh install into a modern dev environment.

Terminal: Alacritty + Zellij

⚡ Quick Recommendations

Based on your use case of running multiple Claude Code instances side by side:

Feature Comparison

Terminal Native Splits GPU Accel. Config Format Multiplexer Wayland Language
Ghostty Omarchy
✓ Yes ✓ OpenGL Key-value Built-in only ✓ Native Zig
Alacritty Omakub
✗ No ✓ OpenGL TOML Needs tmux/Zellij ✓ Native Rust
Kitty Popular
✓ Layouts ✓ OpenGL Custom Built-in ✓ Native C/Python
WezTerm All-in-one
✓ Yes ✓ OpenGL Lua Built-in mux ✓ Native Rust
Tilix Tiling
✓ Advanced ✗ VTE GUI/dconf Built-in Via XWayland D
Terminator
✓ Advanced ✗ VTE INI Built-in Via XWayland Python
Konsole
✓ Yes ✗ No GUI Basic ✓ Native C++

Detailed Breakdown

👻 Ghostty Omarchy Default
By Mitchell Hashimoto • v1.2.0

Strengths

  • Native UI on Linux (GTK4/libadwaita) and macOS
  • Excellent GPU-accelerated performance
  • Native split panes with keyboard shortcuts
  • 100+ built-in themes
  • Supports Kitty graphics & keyboard protocols
  • Quick terminal (drop-down style)
  • Simple, sensible defaults - works out of the box

Considerations

  • No official Ubuntu package yet (community PPA)
  • Requires OpenGL 3.3+ (issues on older GPUs)
  • No session persistence or layout saving yet
  • Newer project - still maturing
  • No broadcast input to multiple panes
# Build from source or use community PPA
# See: ghostty.org/docs/install/build
🚀 Alacritty + Zellij Omakub Default
Minimalist + Multiplexer

Strengths

  • Blazing fast - one of the fastest terminals
  • Extremely lightweight and minimal
  • Zellij provides rich split/tab management
  • Session persistence with Zellij
  • Excellent Wayland support
  • TOML config is clean and readable
  • Works on older hardware without issues

Considerations

  • No native splits - requires Zellij/tmux
  • Two tools to configure and maintain
  • Learning curve for Zellij keybindings
  • No native image display (in Alacritty)
sudo apt install alacritty
# Or for latest: cargo install alacritty
cargo install zellij
🐱 Kitty
By Kovid Goyal • Feature-rich

Strengths

  • Advanced layout system (grid, tall, stack, etc.)
  • Native image display protocol (widely adopted)
  • GPU-accelerated with excellent performance
  • Comprehensive keybinding customization
  • SSH kitten for remote sessions
  • Remote control API for scripting
  • Mature and well-documented

Considerations

  • Config syntax has a learning curve
  • Can feel heavyweight compared to Alacritty
  • Some find the defaults opinionated
sudo apt install kitty
# Or: curl -L https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/installer.sh | sh
🔧 WezTerm
All-in-one Solution

Strengths

  • Built-in multiplexer - no tmux needed
  • Powerful Lua scripting configuration
  • Native splits, tabs, and workspaces
  • Built-in SSH client with session management
  • Excellent cross-platform support
  • GPU-accelerated rendering
  • Ligatures and true color support

Considerations

  • Lua config can be complex for simple needs
  • Larger resource footprint than Alacritty
  • Can feel overwhelming for new users
# Download from wezfurlong.org/wezterm/
# Or: flatpak install flathub org.wezfurlong.wezterm
⬚ Tilix
GTK Tiling Terminal

Strengths

  • Best-in-class tiling/split interface
  • Drag-and-drop pane arrangement
  • Session saving and restore
  • Synchronize input across panes
  • GUI for configuration - easy setup
  • GTK3 integrates well with GNOME
  • Excellent for managing many terminals

Considerations

  • No GPU acceleration (VTE-based)
  • Slower than modern GPU-accelerated terminals
  • Wayland support via XWayland only
  • Development has slowed
sudo apt install tilix
📐 Terminator
Classic Tiling Terminal

Strengths

  • Excellent split/tiling functionality
  • Layout saving and profiles
  • Broadcast input to all/grouped terminals
  • Mature and stable
  • Simple installation on Ubuntu
  • Good keyboard shortcut support

Considerations

  • VTE-based - no GPU acceleration
  • Slower than modern alternatives
  • UI feels dated compared to newer options
  • Wayland support via XWayland
sudo apt install terminator

🎯 My Recommendation for Claude Code

For running multiple Claude Code instances side by side on Ubuntu: