alternatives · windows

Herdr alternatives for Windows

TL;DR

Herdr has run natively on Windows since August 2026, but the build is unsigned, x64-only, and has about 170 Windows-labelled issues; its Windows build also can't use git in WSL repos. Running its Linux build inside WSL works well. If you want a native Windows app instead, Pane runs on x64 and ARM64, handles WSL repos from Windows, and adds diffs and git. Emdash and T3 Code are other native options.

or
Download*
Windows SmartScreen warningDirect downloads can show a SmartScreen warning while Pane is unsigned. Pane is fully open source, so you can audit the code and build from source yourself.1. Click More info2. Click Run anyway3. Continue the installerThe PowerShell install downloads the official release directly and avoids most browser download friction.npm global install
Paste that in PowerShell.Linux

the alternatives

Each tool here runs several coding agents at once. The chips show where each one runs: green is native, amber has a catch, red is no.

  1. 1.Pane

    Best for Herdr's real terminal agents with worktrees, diffs and git built in.

    A desktop app on Windows (x64 and ARM64), WSL, macOS and Linux, with notifications and an orchestrator. Free and open source.

    WindowsWSLmacOSLinux

  2. 2.Emdash

    Best for a desktop app with issue intake.

    35 agents in worktrees, a diff and commit panel, tasks from 12 trackers. No WSL.

    WindowsWSLmacOSLinux

  3. 3.T3 Code

    Best for a polished chat view and phone apps.

    MIT-licensed, signed installers, iOS and Android apps. Young at version 0.0.x.

    WindowsWSLmacOSLinux

which one should you pick?

stay with herdr if

  • → you live in the terminal and work over SSH
  • → you want agents that survive any disconnect
  • → you want the lightest tool, about 40 MB

pick pane if

  • → you want a desktop window with notifications
  • → you want worktrees, diffs and git built in
  • → you want a native Windows app that handles WSL repos
  • → you want an orchestrator chat

pane vs herdr at a glance

yespartly, or with a catchno

pane6 yes · 1 partly · 0 noherdr4 yes · 2 partly · 1 no
platforms
Windowsyes, native (x64 and ARM64)yes since August 2026 (x64, unsigned)
repos inside WSLyes, from the Windows apprun its Linux build inside WSL
macOS and Linuxyesyes
basics
what it isdesktop appterminal multiplexer (TUI)
licenseAGPL-3.0Apache-2.0
everyday work
agents survive closingwhile Pane runs; Remote Pane keeps them on a hostyes
worktree per taskyes, by defaultyes, from a dialog
review and gitChanges panel, diff tabs, git buttonsno; run git yourself

platforms

Windows

pane

yes, native (x64 and ARM64)

herdr

yes since August 2026 (x64, unsigned)

repos inside WSL

pane

yes, from the Windows app

herdr

run its Linux build inside WSL

macOS and Linux

pane

yes

herdr

yes

basics

what it is

pane

desktop app

herdr

terminal multiplexer (TUI)

license

pane

AGPL-3.0

herdr

Apache-2.0

everyday work

agents survive closing

pane

while Pane runs; Remote Pane keeps them on a host

herdr

yes

worktree per task

pane

yes, by default

herdr

yes, from a dialog

review and git

pane

Changes panel, diff tabs, git buttons

herdr

no; run git yourself

Facts checked on October 3 and 4, 2026: Herdr v0.9.3 and Pane v2.4.157.

why people look past herdr

Review and git, a window, and Windows polish.

Herdr deliberately keeps its core small: no diff viewer, no commit, push or pull request tools, no task board. It's a terminal UI, so people who want a window and mouse-first review look elsewhere. Its native Windows build is new and unsigned, and it moves fast with frequent breaking changes. It doesn't accept unsolicited pull requests.

moving from herdr to pane

Same terminal agents; worktrees, review and git come built in.

Herdr's agents run in their real terminals, and so do Pane's. Open your repository in Pane and create a pane per feature; each gets its own worktree and branch by default. The Changes panel and git buttons replace running git in a split pane, and notifications tell you when an agent finishes or needs you.

our verdict

Herdr is excellent at what it does. If you want worktrees, review and git built in, or a native Windows app that handles WSL repos, Pane is the most direct alternative.

how we checked

On October 3 and 4, 2026 we ran Herdr's Linux build in WSL2 and its native Windows build, plus Pane, Emdash, T3 Code and Claude Squad on the same Windows 11 PC, with the same task in each.

Facts about each product come from its own docs, release notes, issue tracker and source code, checked on the same dates.

What we ran
  • → Pane 2.4.155 on Windows 11, native and WSL2 (Ubuntu 24.04) repos
  • → Each alternative checked against its own docs, releases and issue tracker on October 3 and 4, 2026, and run hands-on where it runs on Windows or WSL
Who wrote this
We make Pane, so we have a stake in this. We tried to be fair: Herdr's strengths are listed as plainly as Pane's, every claim was checked against the product itself or its docs and source, and the screenshots are unedited captures from our own runs.
Corrections
If anything here is wrong or out of date, tell us and we'll fix it and update the date at the top. Open an issue on GitHub
Sources

frequently asked questions

more comparisons

Pane vs Terminal MultiplexersPane Remote vs AlternativesPane vs CLI AgentsPane vs Conductor
See also: agent manager tools · terminal multiplexers · Herdr alternatives
or
Download*
Windows SmartScreen warningDirect downloads can show a SmartScreen warning while Pane is unsigned. Pane is fully open source, so you can audit the code and build from source yourself.1. Click More info2. Click Run anyway3. Continue the installerThe PowerShell install downloads the official release directly and avoids most browser download friction.npm global install
Paste that in PowerShell.Linux

By Parsa Khazaeepoul, co-founder of Pane. .