Install and first run

• Windows. macOS and Linux are in progress.
• A Splitterm account, which you need to download the app.
• Claude Code, installed and signed in, for the runner and the Claude profile. Both start the claude command that is installed on the computer.
• git 2.25 or newer, for the runner. The GitHub CLI (gh) is optional: with it, an approved run opens its pull request.

The Windows installer is named Splitterm-<version>-Setup.exe. Run it to install Splitterm.

On Windows the app checks for updates about 15 seconds after it starts and then every 4 hours. You can also check from Settings > About. Once an update has downloaded, Restart to update shows in the top bar and in Settings > About. While a run is working, the restart waits until the runner is idle.

A new window opens on Other terminals, the tab for terminals outside any project. With no terminal open, it lists what you can open, one press each: Claude, Claude in a folder, every shell Splitterm found and your own profiles. The default is marked, and Enter opens it. Nothing starts until you choose.

The first time, a short guide sits under the list:

Every default shortcut is on Keyboard shortcuts.

Top bar

The sidebar's toggle at the far left, the project switcher, and Search or run a command. At the right: the runner's chip, your Claude usage once runs have reported it, Needs you, Settings and your account.

Sidebar

Your projects. The one in front lists its views: Terminals, Overview, Runs once the runner is set up, Issues, Notes and Settings. Other terminals sits under the projects. Ctrl+Shift+B opens it with the focus in it; collapsed, it is a narrow rail of the same.

This machine

The card at the foot of the sidebar: the runner's switch, when runs start, what is running and your usage. See The Runner.

Tab strip

Over the panes in the Terminals view: a tab for each open project and for Other terminals, then the new-terminal buttons at its right end.

Needs you

The bell in the top bar: every question, plan and permission ask an agent is waiting on you for. The sidebar's Terminals entry counts the terminals where Claude is waiting.

Use the account button at the right end of the top bar, or Settings > Account. Your browser opens, shows a pairing code, and asks you to approve linking Splitterm on this machine. Approve only if the code matches the one in the app. Splitterm never sees your password.

Signing in is optional for the terminal. Signed out, the app works on the Free plan.

By default Splitterm reopens your windows, their tabs and their layouts when it starts, with fresh shells in each terminal's last folder. Scrollback is not saved. A terminal where Claude Code was running comes back behind a card: Resume continues that session in the folder it ran in, and Start fresh opens the pane as new.

Settings > General decides whether restored terminals run their profile's commands again or only return to their folder.

Terminals and runs work only while the app is open. Settings > General can open Splitterm when you sign in to your computer, and minimize or close it to the tray instead of quitting. Confirm quit while agents run asks before a window closes on running terminals.

While the runner is on, or a run is still going, closing the last window keeps Splitterm in the tray, and quitting asks first when runs are working.