Terminal

Terminal settings

The terminal app's Settings modal, its tabs and keys, and every setting with its default.

CtrlO opens Settings. zidane saves each change. Most changes apply right away, and a row's description says when one applies later, for example "Applies to new sessions."

Both apps read one settings file (files and folders). Which settings follow a host: one engine, two apps.

zidane

┌─ settings ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                                                                                          │
│  [Agent 44]  UI 37   Keybindings   Authentication   Instructions   Skills                │
│   MCP servers   Extensions & Plugins                                                     │
│                                                                                          │
│  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│  │ search agent settings by name or description…                                      │  │
│  └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│                                                                                          │
│   sessions                                                                            ▀  │
│   ▶ Start from last session                                                       ━━●    │
│     Use daemon runtime                                                            ●──    │
│     Remote hosts                                                                  ●──    │
│     Main session                                                                  ●──    │
│     Check for updates                                                             ━━●    │
│                                                                                          │
│   guardrails                                                                             │
│     Tool approvals                                                        Full access    │
│     Interaction mode                                                     Ask normally    │
│                                                                                          │
│   sandbox                                                                                │
│     Sandbox shell commands                                                        ●──    │
│     Sandbox network                                                             Allow    │
│     Sandbox writable paths                             ~/.cache, ~/.bun/install/cache    │
│                                                                                          │
│   Open the last session on launch instead of the sessions list.                          │
│                                                                                          │
│  ←→ tabs  ↑↓ navigate  ↵ change  esc close                                               │
│                                                                                          │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Tabs#

Tab	Holds
Agent	Behavior: sessions, guardrails, sandbox, context, models, limits, the composer, and action rows
UI	Display: transcript, footer, theme, terminal tab
Hosts	This computer and your servers. The tab shows when Remote hosts is on (remote hosts).
Keybindings	Every shortcut, and a row that opens `keybindings.json`
Authentication	Providers and accounts (models and accounts)
Instructions	What goes into the system prompt, each part labelled by origin. `Enter` on the system prompt row creates a `SYSTEM.md`.
Skills	Turn skills on or off, install, edit, delete
MCP servers	Add, test, sign in, turn servers and tools on or off
Extensions & Plugins	Install, update, configure and remove extensions
Logs	Recent log lines. `CtrlL` cycles the level.

The keys of the Skills, MCP servers and Extensions & Plugins tabs are on MCP, skills and extensions.

In a remote session, the Authentication, Skills, MCP servers and Extensions & Plugins tabs edit that server. The Agent tab edits that server too. Some Agent rows stay with this terminal: Start from last session, Use daemon runtime, Remote hosts, Check for updates, Check usage, and the editor and autocomplete rows. The UI tab, the theme and your keybindings also stay with this terminal. To copy your settings to a server, use settings sync.

Keys#

Key	Does
`←` `→`	Switch tab
`↑` `↓`, or `CtrlP` `CtrlN`	Move
`PgUp` `PgDn`, or `CtrlB` `CtrlF`	Scroll half a page, on the Keybindings and Logs tabs
`Home` `End`	Top and bottom, on the Keybindings and Logs tabs
Type	Filter the rows by label, description or setting key. The filter stays when you switch tabs, and each tab shows its match count.
`Enter`	Toggle, cycle the choices, edit, or run an action row
`Tab`	Expand a row (MCP servers, extensions, instructions, accounts)
`CtrlR`	Reload the list on Skills, MCP servers and Extensions & Plugins. On Instructions, reload the files and rebuild the agent.
`Esc`	Close

zidane

┌─ settings ───────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                                                                                          │
│   Agent 44  [UI 37]  Keybindings   Authentication   Instructions   Skills                │
│   MCP servers   Extensions & Plugins                                                     │
│                                                                                          │
│  ┌────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐  │
│  │ search ui settings by name or description…                                         │  │
│  └────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘  │
│                                                                                          │
│   sessions                                                                            ▀  │
│   ▶ All projects                                                                  ●──    │
│     Spaces                                                                        ●──    │
│                                                                                          │
│   usage                                                                                  │
│     Usage indicator                                                               ━━●    │
│                                                                                          │
│   transcript                                                                             │
│     Transcript density                                                        Compact    │
│     Thinking blocks                                                               ━━●    │
│     Expand thinking while it streams                                              ●──    │
│     Hide subagent output                                                          ━━●    │
│     Tool outputs                                                                  ●──    │
│     Tool calls display                                                      Formatted    │
│     Group tool calls                                                              ━━●    │
│                                                                                          │
│   List sessions from every project, not only this one.                                   │
│                                                                                          │
│  ←→ tabs  ↑↓ navigate  ↵ change  esc close                                               │
│                                                                                          │
└──────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Action rows#

These Agent tab rows open a dialog. Decision model and Test decision model sit under Models and show only when Decisions is on. The other rows sit at the end of the tab.

Row	Opens
Environments	Where new sessions run: local (with the OS sandbox), a git worktree or a sandbox provider, with the default, its options and its keys (execution contexts)
Import from Claude Code	Copies conversations, MCP servers, skills, commands and subagents from Claude Code (import from Claude Code)
Compaction model	The model that writes compaction summaries, or the main model
Decision model	The model for decisions
Test decision model	Sends one small decision to that model and shows whether it works
Run setup again	The setup wizard, with your current values. The row is hidden while the active session runs on a server.

Agent tab#

Sessions#

Settings, Sessions
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Start from last session`resumeLastSession`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionOpen the last session on launch instead of the sessions list.
Use daemon runtime`useDaemon`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionRun sessions in a background process, the daemon. Runs keep going when windows close, and show in every window. Applies to new sessions.
Remote hosts`remoteHosts`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionRun sessions on other machines through zidane-server.Off while `ZIDANE_NO_REMOTE=1` is set.
Main session`orchestration`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionPin a session that starts, steers and reads your other sessions. Needs the daemon.Needs Use daemon runtime.
Reminders`schedules`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionSend a prompt to a session at a set time, once or on a repeat. Extensions can schedule their own reminders.
Agent can set reminders`schedulesAgent`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionGive the agent a tool to schedule prompts to its own session, such as "check the CI in 20 minutes". Needs Reminders.
Crash recovery`durability`	ValuesAsk before resuming, Resume, Off	DefaultAsk before resuming	DescriptionKeep a checkpoint of each run so it can continue after a crash. Applies to new runs. Unavailable on stores other than SQLite.
Check for updates`checkForUpdates`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionCheck daily for a new release and show it in the footer.
Install updates automatically`autoInstallUpdates`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionInstall new releases in the background. Restart when you are ready.Needs Check for updates.

Guardrails#

Settings, Guardrails
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Tool approvals`approvalMode`	ValuesAsk, Model decision, Full access	DefaultAsk	DescriptionWho approves tool calls: you, the decision model, or nobody. Commands you safelisted always run.
Interaction mode`interactionMode`	ValuesAsk normally, Skip interactions, Disable tools	DefaultAsk normally	DescriptionHow the agent handles questions: ask you, answer from the repository, or turn questions off.
Secrets`secrets`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionLet the agent ask you for an API key or a token. zidane keeps it in a private file for this project, out of the chat, and hides it in tool output.

Sandbox#

Settings, Sandbox
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Sandbox shell commands`sandbox`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionKeep the commands and edits of the agent inside the project, and hide your credentials from them. MCP servers and your own ! commands run outside the sandbox. Applies to new sessions.
Sandbox network`sandboxNetwork`	ValuesAllow, Deny	DefaultAllow	DescriptionAllow keeps installs and git working. Deny blocks every connection.
Sandbox writable paths`sandboxAllowWrite`	ValuesText, such as `~/.cache, ~/.bun/install/cache`	Defaultempty	DescriptionExtra folders sandboxed commands may write to, comma separated.

Project trust#

Settings, Project trust
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Load project extensions`loadProjectExtensions`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionRun the extensions of this project. They can run any code on your computer.
Import configurations from other agents`importForeignConfigs`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionUse other agents' servers, skills, commands and subagents. Imported servers run commands from files zidane does not own.
Support Ruler configuration (.ruler)`importRulerConfigs`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionRead .ruler folders. Their servers need "Import configurations from other agents".

Context#

Settings, Context
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Auto-compact`autoCompact`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionSummarize the conversation when the context passes the threshold below.
Auto-compact threshold`autoCompactThreshold`	Values60%, 70%, 80%, 90%	Default80%	DescriptionHow full the context gets before zidane summarizes it.
Persist large tool results`persistToolResults`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionSave tool outputs over 8 KB to disk and keep a preview in the chat.
Stable tool list (call_tool)`stableToolList`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionUse found MCP tools through call_tool so the prompt cache stays valid. Off adds them to the tool list instead. Applies to new sessions.
Freeze session prompt`freezeSessionPrompt`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionKeep each session's system prompt as its first run saw it and tell the model about later changes, so the prompt cache stays valid. /refresh re-reads it.
Compact before the cache expires`compactBeforeCacheExpiry`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionExperimental. When a long session sits idle, compact it a minute before its prompt cache runs out, so your next message reads a short summary instead of re-reading the whole conversation.
Short MCP tool list`compactToolCatalog`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionExperimental. List MCP tools by name only in the prompt; the model looks up a tool before using it. Saves tokens when many tools are connected. Applies to new sessions.
User instructions`userInstructionsScope`	ValuesBoth (merged), User only, Project only, None	DefaultBoth (merged)	DescriptionWhich AGENTS.md and CLAUDE.md files the agent reads.
Preserved thinking (Anthropic only)`thinkingBinding`	ValuesDrop silently, Fail the run, Account default	DefaultDrop silently	DescriptionWhat to do with reasoning that no longer matches the conversation.

Experimental#

Settings, Experimental
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Codemode`codemode`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionThe model runs several tool calls at once, in one short script inside a sandbox.
Show codemode tool calls`codemodeShowCalls`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionList the calls each codemode script makes under its row. Calls that start a subagent always show.Needs Codemode.
Stream progress`codemodeStreamProgress`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionShow which line of a codemode script runs, how many of its calls are done, and what it prints, while it runs.Needs Codemode.

Models#

Settings, Models
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Allow subagents to use different models`subagentModels`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionLet the agent hand work to cheaper models.
Image generation`imageGeneration`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionLet the agent generate images with your providers' image models. Each image is billed by the provider.
Web search`webSearch`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionLet the agent search the web for docs, errors and recent changes.
Auto-resume on output limit`resumeOnMaxTokens`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionKeep going when an answer hits the model's output limit.
Max output tokens`maxOutputTokens`	ValuesModel max, 8K, 16K, 32K, 64K	DefaultModel max	DescriptionThe most the model may write per turn.
Provider retry attempts`retryMaxAttempts`	ValuesDefault (3), 1 (no retry), 2, 3, 5, 8	DefaultDefault (3)	DescriptionHow many times to retry a failed or stalled provider call.
Decisions`decisions`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionHooks and extensions ask a decision model for quick yes/no, choice and score answers. Your provider bills each call.
Auto-update session titles`autoTitle`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionTitle sessions after their first run, and rename them when the topic changes. Titles that you typed stay.Needs Decisions.
Estimate time remaining`runEstimates`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionShow how long running sessions and subagents have left, from a quick decision when a run starts. Uses tokens.Needs Decisions.Drives the desktop app only.

Run limits#

Settings, Run limits
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Max turns per run`maxTurns`	ValuesUnlimited, 25, 50, 100, 200	DefaultUnlimited	DescriptionStop a run after this many turns.
Max cost per run`maxCostUsd`	ValuesUnlimited, $1, $5, $10, $25	DefaultUnlimited	DescriptionStop a run once its estimated cost passes this amount.
Max tokens per run`maxTotalTokens`	ValuesUnlimited, 500K, 1M, 2M, 5M	DefaultUnlimited	DescriptionStop a run once it has used this many tokens.
Max run time`maxWallMinutes`	ValuesUnlimited, 5 min, 15 min, 30 min, 60 min	DefaultUnlimited	DescriptionStop a run after this much time.
Max parallel subagents`maxParallelSubagents`	Values1, 2, 3, 5, 10, Unlimited	Default3	DescriptionHow many subagents a session runs at once. More wait for a free slot.

Composer#

Settings, Composer
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Messages during a run`messageDelivery`	ValuesSteering, Queuing	DefaultQueuing	DescriptionWhat happens to a message that you send while the agent works. Alt+Enter sends one message the other way.
Paste attachments`attachmentsEnabled`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionTurn dropped files and long pastes into attachments.
Edit prompt in $EDITOR`externalEditor`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionPress ctrl+g to write the prompt in $EDITOR.
Inline autocomplete`inlineAutocomplete`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionSuggest the rest of a path or command as you type. Press Tab to accept.

Usage#

Settings, Usage
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Check usage`subscriptionUsage`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionFetch plan limits and credits from signed-in providers and GitHub.

UI tab#

Sessions (UI tab)#

Settings, Sessions
Setting	Values	Default	Description
All projects`showAllProjects`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionList sessions from every project, not only this one.
Spaces`spaces`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionGroup sessions into spaces, like Personal and Work, each with its own default model.

Usage (UI tab)#

Settings, Usage
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Usage indicator`showUsageIndicator`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionShow plan usage in the footer. ctrl+p opens the panel.

Transcript#

Settings, Transcript
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Transcript density`transcriptDensity`	ValuesFull, Compact	DefaultCompact	DescriptionFull shows every step. Compact folds each exchange's work into one row.
Row icons`showRowIcons`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionShow an icon next to each message and step.Drives the desktop app only.
Thinking blocks`showThinking`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionShow the agent's reasoning in the chat.
Expand thinking while it streams`thinkingAutoExpand`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionKeep a thinking block open while the agent reasons.Drives the desktop app only.
Hide subagent output`hideSubagentOutput`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionFold subagent runs down to their start and finish lines.
Tool outputs`showToolResults`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionShow the output under each tool call.
Tool calls display`toolCallDisplay`	ValuesFormatted, Full, Hidden	DefaultFormatted	DescriptionShow tool calls as a summary, their full input, or not at all.
Group tool calls`groupToolCalls`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionFold each exchange's tool calls into one row.
Edit diffs`showEditDiffs`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionShow file edits as diffs.
Edit diff density`editDiffDisplay`	ValuesFull, Compact	DefaultFull	DescriptionShow edits as a full diff or a short summary.
Full shell output`showFullShellOutput`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionShow every line of ! command output, not only the last 10.
Run receipt`showRunReceipt`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionShow agent, model, time, cost and tokens after each run.
Tool attachments`showToolAttachments`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionGather the images tool calls return under the Working block.Drives the desktop app only.
Cache notices`showCacheNotices`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionAdd a row to the chat when the prompt cache expires or resets, or the provider drops earlier reasoning.
Compaction summaries`showCompactionSummary`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionShow the summary text under the compaction line.
Smooth streaming`smoothStreaming`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionReveal replies character by character as they stream.
Streaming throbber`showThrobber`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionAnimate an indicator while the agent works.
Artifacts`artifacts`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionTrack each session's pull requests, branches, commits and files.
Keep scroll position`preserveScroll`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionReopen each conversation where you left it.Drives the desktop app only.
Diagrams`renderDiagrams`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionDraw Mermaid code blocks in replies as diagrams in your theme's colors. Off shows their code.Drives the desktop app only.

Settings, Footer
Setting	Values	Default	Description
UI mode`uiMode`	ValuesFull, Minimal	DefaultFull	DescriptionFull shows every shortcut in the footer. Minimal hides them until you press ctrl+y.
Todo indicator`showTodoIndicator`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionShow the todo count in the footer. ctrl+t opens the list.

Look and feel#

Settings, Look and feel
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Theme`theme`	ValuesDefault, Light, Catppuccin Mocha, Catppuccin Macchiato, Catppuccin Frappé, Catppuccin Latte (light), Gruvbox Dark, Gruvbox Light, Crush (Pantera), Vaporwave	DefaultDefault	DescriptionColors for the interface, markdown and code.
Renderer FPS`targetFps`	Values30 fps, 60 fps, 120 fps	Default60 fps	Description30 saves power, 60 is recommended, 120 suits fast displays.
Clickable UI`mouseInteractions`	ValuesOn, off	Defaulton	DescriptionClick, hover and scroll rows. When off, the terminal's own selection works.
Ctrl+C behavior`ctrlCBehavior`	ValuesQuit, Confirm, Stop, then quit	DefaultQuit	DescriptionQuit right away, ask first, or stop what is running and quit on a second press.
Open files and diffs in`openIn`	Values$EDITOR, Panels	DefaultPanels	DescriptionWhere clicked files and diffs open: your editor or the desktop panels.

Terminal tab#

Settings, Terminal tab
Setting	Values	Default	Description
Terminal title`terminalTitle`	ValuesOff, zidane, Session title, Icon + session	DefaultOff	DescriptionWhat the terminal tab title shows.
Session icon`sessionIcon`	ValuesText, such as `⚽`	Defaultempty	DescriptionShown before the session title in the terminal tab.
Attention icon`attentionIcon`	ValuesText, such as `⚠️`	Defaultempty	DescriptionReplaces the session icon while zidane waits on you.
Active icon`activeIcon`	ValuesText, such as `⚡`	Defaultempty	DescriptionReplaces the session icon while zidane works.

Logs#

Settings, Logs
Setting	Values	Default	Description
File logging`fileLogging`	ValuesOn, off	Defaultoff	DescriptionSave this session's logs to ~/.zidane/logs.

Desktop app rows#

Rows marked "Only in the desktop app." change the desktop app only. The terminal app lists them but does not use them. Most of them sit in the Desktop app and Notifications groups, which this page does not list. See desktop settings.

Extension settings#

Extensions add their own rows under Extensions & Plugins. Press Tab on an extension to show them. CtrlD clears a secret row back to its default. Press it twice to confirm. On a server, a row that needs more than the token's scope is dimmed and tagged admin.