Integrated terminal: PTY tabs in your workspace
CodexUse 2.5 docks a real terminal at the bottom of the desktop layout. Multiple tabs, drag-to-resize, and full PTY sessions powered by node-pty. No more switching between CodexUse and a separate terminal app for quick commands.
Key takeaway: The terminal runs real PTY sessions, not a simulated shell. It inherits your default shell, environment, and PATH.
What the terminal dock does
- Opens as a resizable panel at the bottom of the desktop layout.
- Supports multiple tabs — create, switch, and close terminal sessions independently.
- Uses node-pty for native pseudo-terminal emulation, so everything that works in your regular terminal works here.
- Renders with xterm.js, the same terminal renderer used by VS Code.
- Toggle the terminal from the header button or with a keyboard shortcut.
Using the terminal
Open and close
- Click the terminal icon in the workspace header to toggle the dock.
- The terminal remembers its visibility state and panel height between sessions.
Multiple tabs
- Click the + button to create a new terminal tab.
- Click a tab to switch. Right-click or use the close button to end a session.
- Each tab is an independent PTY process.
Resizing
- Drag the separator handle between the main content and the terminal dock to resize.
- The terminal reflows text automatically when resized.
How it works under the hood
- node-pty spawns real pseudo-terminal processes. Your shell ($SHELL), environment variables, and PATH are all inherited.
- xterm.js handles rendering, input, selection, and scrollback in the browser context.
- The terminal is vendor-chunked separately from the main bundle, so it only loads when you open it.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal shows a blank screen | Shell startup script error or slow init | Try pressing Enter. Check your .zshrc / .bashrc for errors that might hang on startup. |
| Colors look wrong | Theme mismatch with terminal palette | The terminal palette follows the active CodexUse theme. Switching themes updates terminal colors. |
| Terminal not showing in the UI | Tablet or phone layout active | The terminal dock is only available in the desktop layout. Widen the window or switch to desktop mode. |
| Some CLI tools render incorrectly | Missing terminal capability | Most tools work fine. If a specific tool has rendering issues, check if it requires a specific TERM value. |
Related
Is this a real terminal or a simulated one?
Real. The terminal dock uses node-pty for native pseudo-terminal sessions and xterm.js for rendering. It behaves the same as your system terminal.
Can I use the terminal without the chat?
Yes. The terminal dock is independent of chat. You can open it, run commands, and keep it visible while you work in any part of the app.
What shell does the terminal use?
The terminal inherits your default shell from the system environment. On macOS, this is usually zsh. On Linux, bash or whatever your SHELL variable points to.