MXterm vs Claude Squad: a desktop app or a terminal app for coding agents
Claude Squad's README describes a terminal app for local agents, with tmux sessions and Git worktrees for separate workspaces. MXterm's wording is different: each agent can work on its own branch in its own worktree. The clearest difference is where they live: Claude Squad is an app inside your terminal, and MXterm is a desktop app with its own windows and panes. This comparison puts Claude Squad's own description alongside MXterm's, then outlines when to stay with Claude Squad. Everything quoted about Claude Squad was read on its own pages on 28 October 2026; the sources are listed at the bottom.
What Claude Squad says it is
Its README describes a terminal app with separate workspaces for Claude Code, Codex, Gemini and other local agents including Aider. The project's GitHub description also names Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode and Amp. So it is not limited to Claude Code, despite the name.
On keeping sessions apart, the README's "How It Works" lists two tools: "tmux to create isolated terminal sessions for each agent" and "git worktrees to isolate codebases so each session works on its own branch". It describes "a simple TUI interface for easy navigation and management", it is licensed under AGPL-3.0, and it installs with Homebrew or an install script. The README names tmux and the GitHub CLI (gh) as prerequisites.
What MXterm is
MXterm Pro is a native desktop app for macOS and Windows that puts your real terminals, your AI coding agents and your SSH servers in one workspace. It runs the CLIs you install, such as Claude Code and Codex. Each agent can work on its own branch in its own worktree. For a walkthrough, see running Claude Code in MXterm and isolating AI agents with git worktrees.
Side by side
| Claude Squad (its own words, read 28 Oct 2026) | MXterm | |
|---|---|---|
| Form | "a terminal app" with "a simple TUI interface" (README) | A native desktop app. Split panes run real shells. |
| Agents | Claude Code, Codex, Gemini and other local agents including Aider (README) | Runs the CLIs you install, such as Claude Code and Codex. |
| Keeping sessions apart | "tmux to create isolated terminal sessions" and "git worktrees to isolate codebases" (README) | Each agent can work on its own branch in its own worktree. |
| License | "AGPL-3.0" (README) | See the note under the table. |
| Needs | "tmux" and the GitHub CLI "gh" (README) | — |
| Remote machines | Not stated on the pages read | SSH and an SFTP panel in the same window as your agents. |
| Seeing the agents | The project site describes agent supervision in one UI. | With Claude Code and Codex, see which agent is working, waiting or done, and a question from either appears on a card on your desktop. |
A short or blank cell does not mean the other tool lacks the thing; it means that tool's pages were not read for it. On the licence row, MXterm's own licence terms are on its pages and this page makes no claim about them.
Stay with Claude Squad if
- You like working inside your terminal and want a terminal UI rather than another app window.
- You already use tmux and
gh, which its README lists as prerequisites. - You want an AGPL-3.0 open-source project, as its README states.
Choose MXterm if
- You want a desktop app with split panes that run real shells, instead of a terminal UI.
- You want SSH hosts and an SFTP panel in the same window as your agents.
- You want to see, for Claude Code and Codex, which agent is working, waiting or done, and to answer their questions from a card on your desktop.
- You want agents in one room: in the Control Room they message each other and you are the Moderator. Messages wait while you type.
To try MXterm, use the download page. To compare with other terminal tools for coding agents, see MXterm vs Agent Deck and MXterm vs cmux.
Multi-pane SSH, Command Recipes (Cmd+J), and a multi-agent Control Room (formerly War Room): free to start.
Already have MXterm Pro? Read the setup guide →
New to MXterm Pro? See pricing →
Frequently Asked Questions
The README lists Claude Code, Codex, Gemini and Aider among its agents. The project is open source under AGPL-3.0. (Claude Squad README, read 28 October 2026.)
Its README's "How It Works" lists "tmux to create isolated terminal sessions for each agent" and "git worktrees to isolate codebases so each session works on its own branch". (Claude Squad README, read 28 October 2026.)
Yes. Open a pane for it. In MXterm each agent can work on its own branch in its own worktree. A worktree reduces collisions; agents can still edit the same file.
An MXterm pane is a real shell, so a terminal app can run in it. We have not tested Claude Squad inside an MXterm pane, so this page makes no claim that it works.
If you want a terminal UI, you already use tmux and you want an open-source tool, start with Claude Squad. If you want a desktop app with SSH, an SFTP panel and status you can see at a glance, try MXterm. ### Sources for Claude Squad (all read 2026-10-28) github.com/smtg-ai/claude-squad (README); smtg-ai.github.io/claude-squad (project site). Not stated on either page: supported operating systems, SSH/remote use, latest release date.