TUIOS: A Modern Terminal-Based Window Manager

What is TUIOS?

TUIOS (Terminal UI Operating System) is a sophisticated terminal-based window manager designed to enhance productivity for developers and system administrators who spend significant time working in terminal environments. Unlike traditional terminal multiplexers, TUIOS provides a modern interface with comprehensive keyboard shortcuts, modal editing inspired by vim, and support for both keyboard and mouse interaction.

The project is built on the robust Charm stack, leveraging Bubble Tea v2 for the terminal user interface framework and Lipgloss v2 for styling, ensuring a responsive and visually appealing experience whilst maintaining the efficiency that terminal users demand.

Installation

Package Managers

For macOS and Linux users, the simplest installation method is through Homebrew:

brew install tuios

Quick Install Script

Alternatively, you can use the quick install script for Linux and macOS systems:

curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Gaurav-Gosain/tuios/main/install.sh | bash

This script automatically detects your system configuration and installs the appropriate version of TUIOS.

Getting Started

Launching TUIOS

To start TUIOS, simply run:

tuios

Upon launch, you'll be greeted with the Window Management Mode, which serves as the default interface for controlling your terminal sessions.

Essential Keyboard Shortcuts

TUIOS employs a modal interface similar to vim, with different modes offering distinct functionality. Understanding these essential shortcuts will help you navigate efficiently:

Window Management Mode (Default)

When you first launch TUIOS, you'll be in Window Management Mode. This mode allows you to:

• n - Create a new window
• i or Enter - Enter Terminal Mode to interact with the active terminal

Universal Shortcuts (Available from Any Mode)

These shortcuts work regardless of which mode you're currently in:

• Ctrl + B c - Create a new window
• Ctrl + B ? - Toggle the help overlay for quick reference
• Ctrl + B [ - Enter copy mode with vim-style scrollback navigation
• Ctrl + B d or Esc - Return to Window Management Mode
• Ctrl + B q - Quit TUIOS

Alternative Window Management (Ctrl + B t Submenu)

For users who prefer a submenu approach, TUIOS provides an alternative set of commands:

• Ctrl + B t n - Create a new window
• Ctrl + B t x - Close the current window
• Ctrl + B t r - Rename the current window

Advanced Features

SSH Server Mode

One of TUIOS's standout features is its built-in SSH server capability, allowing you to run TUIOS as a remote service that others can connect to:

# Start SSH server on default localhost:2222
tuios ssh

# Start with custom host and port
tuios ssh --host 0.0.0.0 --port 8022

# Connect to TUIOS SSH server
ssh -p 2222 localhost

This feature is particularly useful for maintaining persistent terminal sessions on remote servers or sharing terminal environments with team members.

Configuration Management

TUIOS provides comprehensive configuration options, particularly for customising keybindings to match your workflow:

# Edit keybindings in your default $EDITOR
tuios config edit

# Display the configuration file location
tuios config path

# Reset configuration to default settings
tuios config reset

# View all current keybindings
tuios keybinds list

# View only your custom keybindings
tuios keybinds list-custom

Shell Completions

To enhance your command-line experience, TUIOS supports shell completions for major shells:

Bash

tuios completion bash > /etc/bash_completion.d/tuios

Zsh

tuios completion zsh > "${fpath[1]}/_tuios"

Fish

tuios completion fish > ~/.config/fish/completions/tuios.fish

PowerShell

tuios completion powershell > tuios.ps1

References

Gosain, Gaurav. "TUIOS - Terminal UI Operating System." GitHub, link.