What is Tabby?

Tabby (formerly Terminus) is a highly configurable terminal emulator built on web technologies (TypeScript/JavaScript/CSS). It serves as a modern alternative to built-in terminals on Windows, macOS, and Linux, with extensive customization through extensions and themes [citation:7].

Key Features

  • Cross-Platform: Runs on Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • Web Technologies: Built with TypeScript, JavaScript, HTML/CSS — fully themable
  • Extension System: Add functionality through community extensions
  • SSH Client: Built-in SSH client with connection management
  • Split Panes: Organize multiple terminals in a single window
  • Plugin Ecosystem: Community-contributed plugins for added functionality

⚠️ Recent Security Update (May 16, 2026)

On May 16, 2026, a security vulnerability was disclosed (CVE-2026-45038) affecting versions prior to 1.0.233. The vulnerability allowed code execution when dragging and dropping files with malicious control characters into Tabby. Users should update to version 1.0.233 immediately [citation:7].

Pricing

Free and open source — available on GitHub.

Pros

  • Highly customizable via extensions and themes
  • Cross-platform (Windows, macOS, Linux)
  • Built-in SSH client
  • Split pane support
  • Active development community

Cons

  • ⚠️ Security vulnerability in versions before 1.0.233 (update required)
  • Web-based architecture uses more resources than native terminals
  • Extension quality varies

Who Should Use It?

Perfect for: Developers and sysadmins who want a highly customizable, cross-platform terminal with SSH built-in and extension support.

Verdict

Tabby is the most popular modern terminal emulator built on web technologies. With the recent security fix in v1.0.233, it remains a solid choice for users wanting extensive customization.

Rating: 4.3/5 - The customizable terminal for modern developers.