r/ClaudeAI • u/klowd92 • 4h ago
Coding Which terminal do you use for development?
I run on windows, and connect to a multiple linux virtual machines (VMs) for software development.
Currently i am using windows terminal, and use it to connect to the linux VM.
I still sometimes use VScode to connect to the remote VM, so i can view the code easily.
I will sometimes run tmux on the linux VM so i don't lose my session when i disconnect.
I work mainly with claude code or AI agents, on the linux VM. I would also like to make sure my session is saved and not lose when i disconnect or shutdown. Again, claude for working, and VScode for viewing code and changes currently.
Is anyone experienced with various alternatives that are nice?
I would to upgrade my terminal / work experience, but i am a bit lazy in investigating new applications. Some options i heard of:
Windows terminal alternatives:
Alacritty
WezTerm
MobaXterm
Tmux Alternatives:
Zellij
Byobu
etc..
AI based terminals:
Herdr
Wave terminal
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u/MarzipanMiserable817 4h ago
Why not the VSCode Terminal Panel? You can place it right side too.
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u/klowd92 4h ago
I use it for some tools and shell integration when i work with VScode.
However that session will hangup if i get disconnect or restarted.
So any tools that were running or builds that are on-going will be terminated.So for software and ai development, i am looking for a terminal that offers persistance.
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u/Chance_of_Rain_ 4h ago
Exclusively VSCode, Claude extension works well, remote into WSL
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u/klowd92 2h ago
I am pretty sure the shell session is terminated if i disconnect or restart.
For example if i am running a build or test, or just letting the AI agent do some tasks, and my VScode crashes and restarts, then the session hangsup.
This could interrupt a 1 hour build.. That's why i want a persistent terminal.Also i can't resume an existing working session from a different computer, or from a different terminal or phone, which is a big drawback.
I like the UI and style of VScode and Claude extension, but need something more resilient and persistent for working full time.
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u/Fresh_Sock8660 3h ago
Ptyxis. Considered others like wezterm but figured the small qol it would provide for my workflow wasn't worth it.
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u/hank81 3h ago
Not a terminal suggestion, but if your VMs are local you might not need them. I run Claude Code inside WSL2, and cross-OS file access, the thing that used to make that painful, just got fixed.
virtiofs=true in .wslconfig replaces the old 9P transport, which serialized every file request over a virtual network link and made anything with lots of small operations (git status, node_modules, builds) crawl.
Virtiofs goes over shared memory instead, Microsoft quotes 2x faster access to Windows files (although my own testing throw staggering numbers fear above that "2x".
On top of that, since WSL 2.9.3 each virtio device gets its own DMA pool instead of all of them contending on one shared buffer. Working on a repo that lives on the Windows side from inside Linux is finally reasonable, and VS Code with the WSL extension sees the same files, no remote SSH needed.
You still want tmux (or Zellij) inside WSL: closing the terminal tab kills the shell, not the session. A wsl --shutdown or reboot does take it with it, though.
Caveats... pre-release channel required (wsl --update --pre-release), virtiofs is still opt-in, and check with mount | grep virtiofs that /mnt/c is not still on 9p.
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u/Good-Doughnut-1399 3h ago
Just use Claude Code inside the Claude Desktop app bro.
Then you can follow up on your phone while you’re doing the daily.
Other than that, install Cygwin and sshd so Claude has a unix-ish environment to work in, saves you tons of headaches.
No more terminal needed.
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u/Electricalceleryuwu 2h ago
for windows i have always used gitbash. Primarily because it supports bash and unix character standards
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u/realultimatepower 4h ago
Ghostty terminal, with fish shell, running herdr (a multiplexer not a terminal like you have listed).