imux vs Kitty
Compare imux vs Kitty terminal. imux combines GPU-accelerated terminal rendering with AI agent orchestration, workspaces, and source control.
Kitty is a fast, GPU-accelerated terminal emulator with built-in multiplexing, image rendering, and extensive keyboard-driven customization.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | imux | Kitty |
|---|---|---|
| GPU Acceleration | ✓ | ✓ |
| Workspaces & Tabs | ✓ | ✗ |
| Split Panes | ✓ | ✓ |
| AI-Native Design | ✓ | ✗ |
| Source Control Integration | ✓ | ✗ |
| Remote File Explorer | ✓ | ✗ |
| Browser Automation | ✓ | ✗ |
| Socket Automation API | ✓ | ✓ |
| Activity Notifications | ✓ | ✓ |
| Session Persistence | ✓ | ✓ |
Why Choose imux?
Kitty is a fast, GPU-accelerated terminal with excellent performance. imux uses Ghostty's GPU rendering for similar speed, then adds workspaces, AI integration, remote file exploration, and browser automation. Choose Kitty for a pure terminal; choose imux for a development cockpit.
- Ghostty-grade rendering with comparable GPU acceleration performance
- Workspace management beyond Kitty's window-per-project model
- AI agent orchestration integrated directly into workspaces
- Visual file explorer, source control, and browser surfaces
- Remote SSH file browsing with graphical tree view
- Session persistence with automatic save/restore across restarts
- Notification rings for task completion and agent output
Switching Guide
imux supports custom themes and keyboard shortcuts. Your terminal configuration translates easily. The added workspaces and AI features are a natural extension.
- 1
Install imux
Download imux from imux.app. Like Kitty, imux is GPU-accelerated — your terminal performance will be similar or better.
- 2
Configure your theme
imux supports Ghostty-compatible theme configuration. If you have a custom Kitty theme, you can port the color values to imux's format.
- 3
Set up workspaces
Replace Kitty's per-project windows with imux workspaces. Each workspace can contain multiple terminals, not just one.
- 4
Try AI agent integration
Open Agent Chat alongside your terminal. Run Claude Code or Codex while keeping a terminal pane for manual work.
- 5
Use the remote explorer
Connect to remote servers with imux's visual SSH explorer — browse, edit, and manage remote files without leaving your workspace.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is imux as fast as Kitty?▼
Both use GPU acceleration. imux uses Ghostty's rendering engine, which benchmarks competitively with Kitty. For most users, the performance difference is imperceptible.
Does imux support Kitty's graphics protocol?▼
imux supports standard terminal image protocols. For Kitty-specific graphics protocol features, check current compatibility in the imux documentation.
Can I use my Kitty configuration in imux?▼
imux uses Ghostty-compatible configuration. While not directly compatible with Kitty's config format, the same concepts (themes, fonts, keybindings) are all configurable in imux.
Which is better for AI development?▼
imux was designed specifically for AI-assisted development. While you can run AI CLIs in Kitty, imux provides dedicated Agent Chat panes, diff review, and workflow integration that goes beyond what any standalone terminal offers.