Project-based workspace
Organize projects in a sidebar, with separate windows, color-labeled tabs, deeply nested horizontal or vertical splits, and workspace restoration after restart.
Trellis
Trellis is a native macOS terminal workspace for developers, combining organized project windows, tabs, nested panes, task launching, SSH access, a scratchpad, and local automation. It is free, open source under the MIT license, and supports macOS 14 or later on Apple silicon and Intel Macs.
A structured terminal workspace for macOS
Trellis is a native macOS terminal workspace for developers who need more structure than a single terminal window. It organizes projects into sidebar windows, tabs, and resizable nested panes, while restoring the workspace after a restart without replaying typed input or automatically rerunning commands.
The application combines terminal sessions with project configuration, task launching, SSH host access, a scratchpad, and local automation. Project layouts and commands can be stored in a `.trellis` folder, allowing teams or individuals to review a shared setup alongside source code. Trellis is built with Swift and SwiftUI, distributed as a free MIT-licensed open-source Mac app, and operates without telemetry.
Key features
Shell-aware sessions
Use zsh, bash, or fish integration to report working directories and command exit status, flag failed commands, and navigate between prompts without editing shell dotfiles.
Pane task launcher
Define build, test, and run commands in `.trellis/launch.json`, or detect scripts and build tools such as npm, pnpm, yarn, bun, Make, CMake, SwiftPM, Python, and Cargo. Tasks run only when a pane is idle.
Local automation API
Drive windows, tabs, panes, sessions, layouts, themes, input, output, and events through a local JSON-RPC API, the `trellis` CLI, or an optional MCP server for clients such as Claude Code.
Terminal rendering and safety
Work with terminal capabilities including inline images, searchable 10,000-line-per-pane scrollback by default, safe paste review, link opening, desktop notifications, and font support for ligatures, emoji, CJK, and combining marks.
Scratchpad
Save shell scripts, JavaScript, or Markdown notes beside a pane, validate syntax without running, and save working scratchpad content as a project task.
Practical use cases
Multi-process local development
Keep a project’s frontend, backend, logs, and supporting services in separate panes and tabs, with named tasks available from each pane’s header.
Repeatable project setup
Store windows, tabs, splits, starting directories, and build, test, or run commands in `.trellis` files so a cloned repository can provide a consistent reviewed workspace.
Command drafting and experimentation
Use the scratchpad to draft shell commands, JavaScript, or Markdown notes, validate syntax without execution, and save a working script as a project task.
Remote shell access
Connect to saved SSH hosts or discovered aliases from `~/.ssh/config`, while using the standard `/usr/bin/ssh` path and macOS Keychain support for optional host passwords.
Local developer automation
Expose a local workspace to scripts or an MCP client when repetitive terminal operations need to be coordinated across panes, layouts, sessions, and events.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Native Swift and SwiftUI application with Universal 2 support for Apple silicon and Intel Macs.
- Organizes persistent project layouts while keeping restored sessions stopped and avoiding replay of typed input.
- Includes built-in task launching, scratchpad validation, SSH host management, and local automation interfaces.
- Free, MIT licensed, open source, and designed without telemetry or accounts.
Cons
- It is limited to macOS 14 Sonoma or later; there is no stated Windows or Linux version in the supplied source.
- The shared project workflow requires users to review and trust commands before they run, adding a deliberate approval step.
- The source describes local automation and MCP support, but does not establish a broader set of third-party integrations.
FAQ
Is Trellis free to use?
Yes. Trellis is free and open source under the MIT license, with its code, issues, and releases available on GitHub.
What operating systems and processors does Trellis support?
Trellis requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later and supports Apple silicon and Intel Macs through Universal 2 builds. It is distributed as a DMG.
How is Trellis installed?
Download the DMG, drag Trellis to Applications, and optionally install the command-line link with `/Applications/Trellis.app/Contents/Helpers/trellis cli install-link`. Trellis does not edit shell startup files.
Can a workspace be shared with a project?
Trellis can save project windows, tabs, splits, pane titles, starting folders, and commands in a `.trellis` folder. Projects can be opened from the project directory or with File → Open Project, after reviewing and trusting the commands.
Does Trellis collect terminal data?
No. The source states that Trellis has no telemetry, and terminal output and typed input are not logged or persisted. Diagnostic reports are previewed in an allow-listed format before export.
Quick Facts
- Category
- Developer tool; terminal workspace
- Platform
- macOS 14 Sonoma or later
- Processor support
- Apple silicon and Intel; Universal 2 build
- License
- MIT; free and open source
- Shell integration
- zsh, bash, and fish
- Privacy model
- No telemetry; terminal output and typed input are not logged or persisted