Arrange scattered terminals and AI agents on a single infinite canvas
End the confusion of overlapping terminal tabs where it is hard to tell which task is running where. nodeterm turns each terminal and AI coding agent into a draggable node on a canvas, making your workflow visually clear. You can position sessions like sticking notes on a whiteboard, and zoom in or group them for management when needed.
Maintaining work context through spatial layout
Traditional terminals stack tabs, which easily leads to lost context, but nodeterm places all sessions on a 2D plane. Each node runs as a tmux session, so sessions persist even if you quit the app or restart your computer. The macOS app includes tmux internally, so you can use this feature without separate installation. If tmux is already installed on your system, it takes priority. This structure helps users with ADHD or scattered work habits keep their mental model aligned with the actual screen.
Agent state tracking and interaction
Status badges appear on nodes when an AI agent is running or requires user input. Status is conveyed via hooks rather than parsing output, allowing you to see 'running' or 'user needed' states in real time. You can respond to permission requests directly within the node and receive notifications when an agent completes a task. MacBook users can also check agent status in the notch area. Additionally, agent nodes can reference each other's logs, and agents can collaborate by opening other nodes or creating teams via the canvas control CLI.
Project boards and remote access
Each project provides both a canvas and a kanban board. Live sessions become cards that you can drag between columns while agents continue running. Opening a card lets you view the actual session, members, due dates, priorities, and comments, and assign tasks to team members. Press ⌘⇧B to switch between the two views. With the Server Edition, you can run the same canvas in a browser for access from anywhere. Scanning a QR code with the iOS app connects you to the same live session via an E2E encrypted relay, allowing you to monitor agent work or type text into the terminal from your phone.
Installation and requirements
Desktop apps are available for macOS, Linux, and Windows (beta), along with an iOS mobile app. macOS can be installed via a .dmg file or Homebrew, while Linux supports AppImage, .deb, and .rpm packages. The Windows version is in beta, with an unsigned installer and session continuity not yet fully implemented. Building from source requires Node.js 20 or higher, and tmux is recommended. On systems using GCC 14 or higher, such as Fedora, you must set CFLAGS=-D_GNU_SOURCE to avoid build errors. Running the Server Edition requires Node.js 22 and tmux.
License and usage restrictions
nodeterm follows the Business Source License 1.1 (BUSL-1.1). This allows copying, modification, redistribution, and use in production environments, but you must not offer it as a service that competes with nodeterm or the license holder's products. Each release automatically converts to the MIT license four years after publication. You can contact them by email if you need a commercial license. This license is fine for personal use or internal tools, but if you plan to develop a competing product with similar features or sell it as a hosting service, you must review the license terms.