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Wave Terminal Review

Wave Terminal is an open-source, AI-native terminal application for macOS, Linux, and Windows that integrates file previews, editing, AI, and web browsing directly within its interface.

shipped Jul 6, 2026aifree
ai
Wave Terminal — product screenshot

Why it matters

1Open-source under the Apache 2.0 License since November 10, 2023 (v0.5.0).
2Available for macOS, Linux, and Windows platforms.
3Integrates an AI assistant, file previews, a VSCode-like editor, and an inline web browser.
4Features durable SSH sessions (v0.14.0, February 10, 2026) and a Process Viewer (v0.14.5, April 16, 2026).

Specs

API Docs

View Documentation →

GitHub

View Repository →

API Available

Yes, public API

overview

What is Wave Terminal?

Wave Terminal is an AI-native terminal tool developed by Wave Terminal that enables developers and data analysts to streamline workflows by integrating various tools and AI capabilities directly within the terminal environment. It functions as a cross-platform terminal emulator for macOS, Linux, and Windows, incorporating features like file previews, editing, and web browsing. The platform supports managing remote machines via an SSH connection manager, including WSL, and allows users to split screens and arrange terminals, editors, and web views into customizable workspaces. It enables navigation, previewing, and editing of remote files using a built-in editor, and includes an inline web browser.

features

Key Features of Wave Terminal

Wave Terminal integrates a suite of functionalities designed to enhance developer workflows and reduce context switching within the terminal environment.

  • AI-native terminal capabilities with a persistent right-hand sidebar (v0.7.6, June 17, 2024) supporting 'Bring Your Own LLM' (BYOLLM).
  • Integrated file previews for various formats including images, markdown, audio/video, HTML, and CSVs.
  • Built-in VSCode-like editor for direct editing of local and remote files.
  • Inline web browser for accessing web content without leaving the terminal interface.
  • SSH connection manager for remote machines, including WSL support, featuring durable sessions (v0.14.0, February 10, 2026) that persist through network interruptions.
  • Screen splitting and customizable layouts for organizing multiple terminal sessions, editors, and web views into workspaces (v0.10.0, December 11, 2024).
  • Graphical widgets and dashboards for visualizing command-line interface (CLI) data.
  • Open-source under the Apache 2.0 License since November 10, 2023 (v0.5.0).
  • Local data storage, requiring no login or account for operation.
  • Process Viewer widget (v0.14.5, April 16, 2026) to display running processes with CPU and memory usage.

use cases

Who Should Use Wave Terminal?

Wave Terminal is designed for users who require an integrated and AI-enhanced command-line environment, aiming to consolidate various development and operational tasks into a single interface.

  • Software Developers: For managing container stacks, browsing GitHub, editing remote files with a built-in editor, and utilizing an AI coding assistant for code generation and explanation.
  • Data Analysts: For inline rendering of various data formats like CSVs, images, and PDFs, enabling direct data viewing and manipulation within the terminal.
  • Server Administrators: For managing remote servers via durable SSH sessions, monitoring local and remote machines with the process viewer, and organizing server-related workflows.
  • Researchers and Learners: For leveraging the integrated AI assistant to explain commands, provide information, and learn new tools, alongside pinning web browser windows for research.

how to use

How to Use Wave Terminal

Wave Terminal is installed as a desktop application on macOS, Linux, or Windows. Upon launch, users can configure SSH connections, open multiple terminal sessions, and utilize integrated features like the file editor and AI assistant.

  • 1Download and install the Wave Terminal application for macOS, Linux, or Windows from waveterm.dev.
  • 2Launch the application to access the initial terminal interface.
  • 3Configure SSH connections using the built-in connection manager to access and manage remote machines.
  • 4Utilize screen splitting and workspaces to arrange multiple terminal sessions, the integrated editor, and the web browser into custom layouts.
  • 5Interact with the AI sidebar to generate commands, explain concepts, or debug code, optionally integrating custom Large Language Models (LLMs).
  • 6Navigate, preview, and edit local or remote files directly using the integrated VSCode-like editor.

pricing

Wave Terminal Pricing & Plans

Wave Terminal is distributed as a free and open-source application. All core features are available without cost, requiring no login or account, and data is stored locally.

  • Free: Open-source, local data storage, no login or account required, all core features included.

Pros

  • +Open-source under Apache 2.0 License, ensuring transparency and community contributions.
  • +Comprehensive integration of AI, file previews, a VSCode-like editor, and an inline web browser reduces context switching.
  • +Cross-platform availability for macOS, Linux, and Windows.
  • +Durable SSH sessions (v0.14.0) provide persistent remote connections that survive network interruptions.
  • +Block-based interface allows for flexible organization and persistence of command outputs, AI chats, and file previews.
  • +Local data storage and no account requirement enhance privacy and security.

Cons

  • −Electron-based architecture may result in higher memory consumption (400-800MB range) and occasional UI 'jank' or resize lag.
  • −Requires a new mental model for terminal interaction, potentially not a direct 'drop-in replacement' for users accustomed to traditional terminals.
  • −Built-in AI, while functional, can be generic if relying on default OpenAI integration; users of specialized coding agents might prefer to run them internally.
  • −The integrated web browser might not fully replace a dedicated browser for complex web tasks or extensive browsing.

Similar Tools

Wave Terminal vs Competitors

Wave Terminal positions itself as an AI-native, all-in-one terminal designed to minimize context switching by integrating development tools and AI directly into the command-line interface. It differentiates from traditional terminals by offering a richer visual and interactive experience, and from modern alternatives through its open-source nature and comprehensive feature set.

1
WarpOn StorkCompare

Warp offers a polished, proprietary terminal experience with built-in AI command generation, an IDE-like text editor, and real-time team collaboration features.

While both Warp and Wave Terminal are AI-native terminals with modern UIs and editing capabilities, Warp is a freemium product with subscription tiers for advanced AI and collaboration features, whereas Wave Terminal is entirely free and open-source.

2
Microsoft Intelligent TerminalOn StorkCompare

Microsoft Intelligent Terminal is an experimental fork of Windows Terminal that integrates an AI pane, allowing various AI agents, including local LLMs, to plug in via an open standard.

This terminal is currently an experimental, Windows-specific application focused on AI agent integration, contrasting with Wave Terminal's broader cross-platform support and deeply integrated features like inline web browsing and comprehensive file previews.

3
YawOn StorkCompare

Yaw is a cross-platform terminal that natively includes a built-in file editor, an SSH client, a connection manager, and an AI assistant.

Yaw's comprehensive feature set, including its integrated file editor, SSH client, and AI assistant, closely mirrors Wave Terminal's all-in-one approach to streamlining developer workflows within the terminal environment.

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