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Tabby - A Highly Configurable Open Source Terminal Tool

Tabby

For programmers, the terminal is an indispensable tool in our daily work. However, the built-in terminal tools often have limited functionality and a monotonous appearance. Today, I want to introduce you to a modern terminal tool that is open-source and free: Tabby (formerly known as Terminus). Tabby has powerful features and a highly customizable interface that can meet the needs of various users, making terminal operations more efficient and enjoyable.

What is Tabby?

Tabby is a highly configurable terminal emulator and SSH or serial client that supports Windows, macOS, and Linux systems. It integrates SSH, Telnet clients, and connection managers, providing serial terminal functionality. Tabby is not a brand-new shell, nor is it a replacement for MinGW or Cygwin. If you are very sensitive to memory usage, you might consider Conemu or Alacritty. Tabby

Features of Tabby

Tabby has numerous features that make it a powerful terminal tool. Here are some of the main features:

  • Multi-terminal Tabs: Tabby can display multiple terminal tabs, allowing users to operate multiple terminal sessions simultaneously. Tabby
  • High Customizability: Users can customize the appearance and behavior of the interface in various ways, such as themes, color schemes, font settings, and shortcuts.
  • Plugin Extensions: Tabby supports enhancing functionality through plugins, such as clickable links, Docker connections, title control, quick commands, output saving, etc.
  • Multiple Connection Methods: Tabby supports various connection methods, including local Shell, Serial, SSH, Telnet, etc. TabbySSH
  • Cross-platform Support: Tabby supports Windows, macOS, and Linux systems and provides a web version for easy use across different platforms.
  • Account System: Tabby supports an account system that can sync user information, such as configurations and plugins.
  • Rich Terminal Features: Including split panes, auto-saving tabs, progress detection, process completion notifications, bracket pasting, multi-line paste prompts, etc.
  • Powerful SSH Client: Supports X11 and port forwarding, automatic jump host management, proxy forwarding, etc.
  • Practical Serial Terminal Features: Supports saving connections, line-by-line input support, optional hexadecimal byte-by-byte input and output, line break conversion, and automatic reconnection.

Steps to Use Tabby

  1. Download and Install: Users can download the installation file suitable for their system from Tabby's GitHub page and install it.
  2. Launch the Software: After installation, open the Tabby software.
  3. Configure Options: Configure the interface and behavior options according to personal needs, including color schemes, fonts, plugins, and shortcuts.
  4. Add Terminal Tabs: In the current tab, type "tab new" to add a new terminal tab.
  5. Operate the Terminal: Enter commands and perform other operations in the terminal, such as browsing folders, editing files, etc.
  6. Exit the Software: Enter the "exit" command or exit through the software menu.

Summary

Tabby is a powerful, visually appealing, and highly customizable modern terminal tool. It supports various connection methods, cross-platform use, plugin extensions, etc., meeting the needs of various users. If you are looking for a tool that can enhance terminal operation efficiency and experience, Tabby is definitely worth a try.

Bruno - A Fast and Git-Friendly Open Source API Client

Bruno

Bruno is an open-source API client designed to revolutionize the current state of API testing tools. Unlike tools like Postman and Insomnia, Bruno adopts an innovative local-first strategy, storing API collections directly in the local file system and using a specially designed Bru plain text markup language to save API request information. This design not only ensures data security but also greatly enhances work efficiency.

Core Features of Bruno

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Offline First Design

  • All data is stored locally, eliminating concerns about network connectivity.
  • Completely independent of cloud services, ensuring data privacy and security.
  • Quick response times without waiting for cloud synchronization.
  • Supports local environment variable and configuration management.

Strong Git Integration

  • API collections can be directly version-controlled through Git.
  • Supports branch management for parallel development.
  • Complete change history tracking.
  • Team collaboration is smoother without the need for additional tools.

Open Source and Community Support

  • MIT open-source license, with fully open source code.
  • An active developer community.
  • Regular updates and bug fixes.
  • Supports community contributions and plugin development.

Cross-Platform Compatibility

  • Supports macOS, Windows, and Linux.
  • Provides multiple installation methods:
  • Official installation package
  • Package managers like Homebrew, Chocolatey, etc.
  • Docker container support
  • Unified user experience.

Professional-Level Feature Support

  • Supports all standard HTTP methods.
  • Powerful environment variable management.
  • Built-in testing script functionality.
  • Request linking and dependency management.
  • Response data visualization.
  • Supports GraphQL.
  • Built-in performance analysis tools.

Detailed Comparison of Bruno with Mainstream Tools

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Data Storage and Privacy

  • Bruno:
  • Local storage using Bru text format.
  • Complete control over data, zero risk of data leakage.
  • Supports custom storage locations.

  • Can seamlessly integrate into existing development workflows.

  • Postman & Insomnia:

  • Primarily promotes cloud storage models.
  • Requires account login to use full features.
  • Data storage locations are opaque.
  • Potential data security risks.

Version Control and Collaboration

  • Bruno:
  • Native support for Git workflows.
  • Team collaboration without additional subscriptions.
  • Supports code review processes.

  • Can integrate into CI/CD processes.

  • Postman & Insomnia:

  • Team collaboration features require paid subscriptions.
  • Uses proprietary synchronization mechanisms.
  • Limited version control features.
  • Difficult to integrate into existing development processes.

Open Source and Pricing Strategy

  • Bruno:
  • Open source and free, core features are permanently available.
  • Commercial version charges only for enterprise-level features.
  • Transparent development roadmap.

  • Community-driven feature development.

  • Postman & Insomnia:

  • Basic features are free but limited.
  • Core features require subscriptions.
  • Prices may change at any time.
  • Feature updates depend on business decisions.

Practical Application Scenarios

Development Testing

  • Quickly create and test API endpoints.
  • Manage multiple environment configurations.
  • Integrate automated testing.
  • Performance testing and monitoring.

Team Collaboration

  • Share API collections.
  • Unified testing standards.
  • Version control and code review.
  • Collaborative maintenance of documentation.

CI/CD Integration

  • Run automated tests.
  • Continuous integration processes.
  • Generate test reports.
  • Ensure consistency across environments.

Summary

Bruno, with its innovative local-first architecture, seamless Git integration, and open-source features, provides developers with a secure, efficient, and modern API development environment. It is not only a strong alternative to Postman and Insomnia but also represents the future direction of API development tools. Whether you are an individual developer or part of a large team, Bruno can meet your API development and testing needs while maintaining high security and controllability.