Split Panes (Grid Layouts)
Master the art of multi-tasking with advanced window management
A single terminal window is rarely enough. Whether you are comparing logs, copying data between servers, or monitoring a cluster, Split Panes are the productivity multiplier of Netcatty.
Unlike tmux or Screen (which run on the server), Netcatty's splits are client-side. This means you can split Local Shell next to Remote SSH next to Serial Port, all in one tab.
The Mechanics of Splitting
Netcatty uses a binary tree layout engine, allowing for infinitely nested splits.
Splitting Methods
- Keyboard:
Cmd+D(Mac) /Ctrl+Shift+D(Win): Split Horizontally (Top/Bottom).Cmd+Shift+D(Mac) /Ctrl+Shift+E(Win): Split Vertically (Left/Right).
- Context Menu: Right-click anywhere in the terminal -> Split Horizontal / Split Vertical.
- Drag and Drop: Drag a Host from the sidebar into an existing terminal. Drop zones will appear (Left, Right, Top, Bottom) to indicate where the new pane will dock.
Figure: Drag-and-drop splitting. Hovering a host over an existing terminal reveals active drop zones for precise docking.
Navigation & Focus
| Action | macOS | Windows | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Navigate | ⌘ + ⌥ + Arrow | Ctrl + Alt + Arrow | Move focus to adjacent pane. |
| Close | ⌘ + W | Ctrl + W | Closes active pane or tab. |
Resizing
- Mouse: Hover over the border between panes. The cursor changes to a resize handle. Drag to adjust the split ratio.
Figure: Nested split architecture. Netcatty uses a binary tree to manage complex grid layouts.
Netcatty organizes complex splits into Workspaces. When you split a terminal, those panes are automatically grouped into an ephemeral workspace tab.
Features
- Rename: Right-click the tab -> Rename to keep track of your active tasks.
- State Persistence: If you accidentally close a workspace, you can often find its history in the Recent Connections log.
- Quick Swap: Use
Cmd+J/Ctrl+Jto jump between your active workspaces and standalone sessions.
Splits and Broadcast Mode are best friends. When broadcast is active, every pane in the workspace receives your input. This allows you to manage entire clusters with zero overhead.