Terminal Guide
Tabby
Highly customizable cross-platform terminal with SSH manager and serial console support.
Official WebsiteFeatures
Installation
brew install --cask tabbychoco install tabbyscoop install tabbyWhy Use Tabby?
Tabby (formerly known as Terminus) is a highly customizable cross-platform terminal that integrates SSH connection management, serial console, and SFTP. Unlike lighter alternatives such as Hyper or WezTerm, Tabby focuses on built-in remote connection management. Its plugin system allows you to extend functionality further.
SSH Manager
Save and manage SSH connections as profiles. Supports key authentication, port forwarding, and jump hosts.
Serial Console
Connect to RS-232 serial ports. Perfect for embedded development and network device configuration.
Integrated SFTP
Use the integrated SFTP client for file transfers during SSH sessions. Upload via drag and drop.
Plugin System
Extend functionality with many plugins. Color schemes, SSH tabs, Docker integration, and more.
Main Features
SSH Connection Management
SSH connections are saved as profiles for one-click connectivity. Supports multiple authentication methods (password, public key, keyboard interactive).
# SSH Profile Features
# - Password authentication
# - Public key authentication (private key file)
# - SSH agent forwarding
# - Port forwarding (local/remote)
# - Connection via proxy/jump host
# - Auto-execute commands on connection
# SOCKS Proxy Configuration Example (set via GUI)
# Proxy type: SOCKS5
# Proxy host: localhost
# Proxy port: 1080Serial Console
Supports RS-232 serial port connections. Convenient for embedded system development and network device console access.
# Serial Connection Configuration Parameters
# - Port: /dev/ttyUSB0 (Linux), COM1 (Windows)
# - Baud rate: 9600, 19200, 38400, 57600, 115200, etc.
# - Data bits: 7, 8
# - Parity: None, Odd, Even
# - Stop bits: 1, 2
# - Flow control: None, RTS/CTS, XON/XOFF
# Common Configuration Example (115200 8N1)
# Baud rate: 115200
# Data bits: 8
# Parity: None
# Stop bits: 1SFTP Integration
Transfer files using the integrated SFTP panel during SSH sessions. Display local and remote file systems side-by-side with drag-and-drop support.
# SFTP Features
# - Double-click to open files (local editor integration)
# - Drag and drop for upload/download
# - Right-click menu for operations (delete, rename, change permissions)
# - Directory bookmarks
# - Transfer queue management
# Open SFTP Panel: While in SSH session, press Cmd+Shift+F (macOS) / Ctrl+Shift+FPlatform-Specific Installation
Linux
# Debian/Ubuntu (.deb)
# Download .deb from https://github.com/Eugeny/tabby/releases
sudo dpkg -i tabby-*.deb
# Fedora/RHEL (.rpm)
# Download .rpm from https://github.com/Eugeny/tabby/releases
sudo rpm -i tabby-*.rpm
# Arch Linux (AUR)
yay -S tabby-bin
# AppImage
# Download AppImage from https://github.com/Eugeny/tabby/releases
chmod +x tabby-*.AppImage
./tabby-*.AppImageWindows (winget)
# Install via winget
winget install Eugeny.TabbyOfficial Website
Download the latest version from https://tabby.sh/.
Configuration and Customization
SSH Profile Configuration
Configuration files are managed in YAML format. You can configure via GUI or edit directly.
# SSH Profile Configuration Example (in config file)
ssh:
connections:
- name: Production Server
host: prod.example.com
port: 22
user: admin
auth: publicKey
privateKeys:
- ~/.ssh/id_rsa
jumpHost: bastion.example.com
color: '#ff6b6b'
scripts:
- send: 'cd /var/log && ls -la'
- name: Development Server
host: dev.example.com
port: 22
user: developer
auth: password
color: '#4ecdc4'Appearance Customization
# Appearance Settings
appearance:
theme: 'One Dark'
font: 'JetBrains Mono'
fontSize: 14
tabsOnTop: true
vibrancy: true # macOS transparency effect
terminal:
bell: 'off'
bracketedPaste: true
scrollbackLimit: 10000
# Customize color schemes
# Additional themes can be installed from Settings > PluginsPlugin Installation
# Plugin Installation Steps
# Search and install from Settings > Plugins > Available plugins
# Popular Plugins:
# - tabby-docker: Connect directly to Docker containers
# - tabby-telnet: Telnet protocol support
# - tabby-save-output: Save output to file
# - tabby-quick-cmds: Quick command buttons
# - tabby-sync-config: Cloud sync for configuration
# Plugin Configuration Example (Docker)
docker:
connection: local
socket: /var/run/docker.sockHotkey Configuration
# Customize Hotkeys
hotkeys:
toggle-window: ['Ctrl+Space']
new-tab: ['Ctrl+Shift+T']
close-tab: ['Ctrl+Shift+W']
split-right: ['Ctrl+Shift+E']
split-down: ['Ctrl+Shift+O']
focus-next-pane: ['Ctrl+Tab']
search: ['Ctrl+Shift+F']Keyboard Shortcuts
| Shortcut | Function |
|---|---|
Ctrl+Shift+T | Open new tab |
Ctrl+Shift+W | Close current tab |
Ctrl+Shift+E | Split pane right |
Ctrl+Shift+O | Split pane down |
Ctrl+Tab | Focus next pane |
Ctrl+Shift+Left/Right | Move tab |
Ctrl+Shift+F | Search / SFTP panel |
Alt+Number | Switch to numbered tab |
Ctrl+Space | Toggle window visibility |
Ctrl+, | Open settings |
Tips
- *Color-code Profiles: Set different background or tab colors for each SSH connection to visually distinguish production from development environments for safety.
- *Port Forwarding: Configure port forwarding in SSH profiles to automatically tunnel local ports to remote servers on connection.
- *Connection Scripts: Set commands to auto-execute after connecting via SSH profiles. Useful for directory changes and auto-attaching to screen/tmux.
- *Configuration Backup: Enable cloud sync from Settings > Sync or manage config files with Git to share settings across machines.
- *Docker Integration: Install the tabby-docker plugin to directly shell into running Docker containers.