What is Mado: Native Terminal Multiplexer for macOS?

Mado is a free, open-source terminal multiplexer designed for macOS. It allows users to split terminal windows into panes, navigate via keyboard shortcuts, and customize the interface with themes and plugins. The application aims to improve productivity for developers by providing a native, fast, and extensible terminal environment without relying on web-based or Electron-based solutions.

Who is it for?

Mado is intended for developers, system administrators, and power users who work extensively in the terminal. It benefits those who prefer keyboard-driven workflows, need customizable workspace layouts, and want integrated tools like clocks, timers, and AI assistants within their terminal environment.

How is it priced?

Mado is open source and free. There are no paid tiers or subscriptions; users can access all features without cost. For more details, visit the official website.

How does it compare to alternatives?

Mado offers a native, performance-optimized terminal multiplexer with a focus on extensibility through plugins and themes. Unlike some terminal emulators that lack built-in multiplexing or plugin systems, Mado combines these features in a single application. It is suitable for users seeking a lightweight, customizable, and keyboard-centric terminal environment on macOS, especially those who want to avoid Electron-based solutions.

Key features

Split panes with keyboard shortcuts, saving workspace layouts per project
Extensible sidebar with plugins like clock, Pomodoro timer, AI assistant, and system stats
Twenty-two built-in themes based on Tailwind CSS palettes for cohesive UI customization
Native macOS application built with Rust and Slint, ensuring fast startup and low memory usage
Workspace persistence, restoring layouts and project states automatically
Custom plugin support in any language via a simple protocol

Use cases

Developers managing multiple terminal sessions for different projects with preserved layouts. System administrators monitoring server stats and running scripts within a unified interface. Teams collaborating on terminal-based workflows with integrated tools like timers and AI assistance.