Persistent Shell MCP Server

A simplified and elegant MCP server for persistent shell execution via tmux.

Local serverstdioPython

What is the Persistent Shell MCP Server?

A simplified and elegant MCP server for persistent shell execution via tmux.

What the server does

A Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that provides persistent shell execution through tmux sessions. This server enables AI assistants to execute commands in a persistent shell. This unlocks a lot of possiblities, such as Agent Orchestration...

  • Dual-Window Architecture — Each workspace has two windows - exec for command execution and ui for clean output display
  • Persistent Workspaces — Execute commands in tmux sessions that persist across MCP client restarts
  • Interactive Process Support — Handle long-running processes, REPLs, and interactive commands
  • Workspace Isolation — Multiple isolated workspaces for different projects or tasks
  • Clean UI Management — Separate windows for execution and user-facing output
  • Automatic Session Management — Create, destroy, and monitor workspaces seamlessly

Credentials and setup notes

  • Node.js 18.0.0 or higher - tmux installed on your system - Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt install tmux - macOS: brew install tmux - CentOS/RHEL: sudo yum install tmux

More MCP options

Compare MCP servers by category, or browse hosted MCP servers if you prefer an endpoint over a local process.

Maintainer setup documentation.

Recorded tools

Check the linked publisher documentation and your connected client's tool list. Names and availability can vary with the server version and account permissions.

ToolWhat it does
execute_command
start_process
get_output
send_input
stop_process
create_workspace
destroy_workspace
list_workspaces

How to install the Persistent Shell MCP Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "tmux-shell": {
      "command": "tmux-mcp-server"
    }
  }
}

From the project documentation. Replace placeholders and example paths before connecting.

Configuration

  • Node.js 18.0.0 or higher - tmux installed on your system - Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt install tmux - macOS: brew install tmux - CentOS/RHEL: sudo yum install tmux

Example prompts to try

  • “Use Persistent Shell MCP to Prerequisites.”
  • “Use Persistent Shell MCP to execute command.”
  • “Use Persistent Shell MCP to start process.”

Frequently asked questions

A simplified and elegant MCP server for persistent shell execution via tmux. Confirm the tools offered by your installed version in the connected client. Tool availability and permissions depend on the server and account configuration.