Written by the team building Shepherd. Competitor capabilities are based on the official sources linked below, checked September 8, 2026; this is a documentation comparison, not a hands-on benchmark.

Before replacing tmux, identify the problem: remembering commands, organizing projects, finding waiting agents, or switching between terminals and reviews. You may need a different multiplexer, an integrated workspace, or a better interface to the tmux sessions you already have.

tmux manages terminal sessions. A terminal application such as iTerm2 or Ghostty is another layer. Replacing the application alone does not automatically replace your remote session manager.

A baseline that already works

For a host where tmux is installed, this is a small session workflow. Substitute your own SSH destination for devbox:

ssh devbox
tmux new -s coding

Run your normal task inside that session. With default bindings, detach using Ctrl-b, then d. After reconnecting to the same host, use:

tmux attach -t coding

These are standard session operations from the tmux getting-started guide. The host and tmux server must remain running for the original process to stay alive. Closing the client is different from shutting down the machine running the job.

Herdr for an agent-aware multiplexer

Herdr associates agent status with terminal panes and summarizes it across workspaces. Consider it when the missing piece in your tmux setup is finding which agent needs you. Its quick start also documents mouse-driven organization and detaching from its background session.

When trying it, use the actual agents you run. Compare the visibility of working, waiting, and completed tasks rather than assuming every provider is detected in the same way.

Shepherd for an integrated Mac workspace

Shepherd offers persistent terminal sessions together with agent status, files, and review surfaces. It is a candidate when your requirement extends beyond terminal multiplexing into inspecting the result of an agent’s work.

The tradeoff is adopting a desktop workspace and its service model. Check your regular SSH hosts, file workflow, and preferred review process. The public download currently targets Apple silicon Macs; iOS is listed as coming soon.

iTerm2 integration if the interface is the problem

You may be able to keep tmux. iTerm2’s tmux integration maps tmux windows and panes into a native interface through control mode. Its documented entry point is tmux -CC; reconnecting uses tmux -CC attach.

This option deserves a trial if shortcuts and pane manipulation are the frustrating parts. Read the integration’s close and detach behavior before using it with important jobs: detaching from a session and closing a pane can have different effects.

Your main need Start by evaluating
Keep familiar sessions, change their interface iTerm2 with tmux integration
See which terminal agent needs attention Herdr
Bring terminals, files, and reviews together on Mac Shepherd
Keep a portable, configured terminal workflow Your existing tmux setup

Move new tasks before moving habits

Leave long-running work where it is. Use the candidate for one new task, then test copying output, reviewing a diff, and returning after a disconnect. Check the working directory and original process rather than treating a restored tab title as proof of continuity.

Keep a written list of what became easier and what you had to relearn. Choose the smallest change that solves your actual problem. If you are comparing a full terminal stack with a desktop workspace, read Ghostty + tmux vs Shepherd.

Your next workspace

Put it to work.

Try Shepherd on an Apple silicon Mac. The iOS app is currently listed as coming soon.

Get Shepherd for Mac