Why I switched from iTerm2 to Alacritty, and how to configure Alacritty

I switched from iTerm2 to Alacritty for 3 reasons
1. I don't like the way the configuration is managed in iTerm
2. I don't like all the built in stuff that iTerm has, like tabs, the built-in
tmux integration, profiles, etc.
3. I forgot to mention this in the video, but another HUGE reason, is that I can only use iTerm in macOS, I want a terminal emulator that I can use in macOS, Linux or even Windows (god forbid), using the same configuration across OSs
Don't get me wrong, I love iTerm, I used it for many years and it works
wonderfully, it's just not for me anymore
If you're just getting started and don't know how to install Alacritty, I left the instructions in my blogpost
linkarzu.com/posts/2024-macos...
Here's a link to my Alacritty configuration file and the rest of my dotfiles
github.com/linkarzu/dotfiles-...
If you want to know more about tmux, I have a video
• 08 - What is tmux and ...
You want to learn more about the yabai window manager and set your terminal transparent?
• 09 - Transparent termi...
Alternate between the last 2 tmux sessions or neovim buffers
• Alternate between the ...
0:00 - Video start
0:10 - iterm preferences in GUI
0:52 - iTerm preferences in terminal
1:22 - iTerm preferences in GUI
2:17 - Alacritty configuration file overview
3:00 - Reason 2
3:30 - Change Alacritty settings 1
5:23 - RECOMMENDATION tmux video
5:40 - RECOMMENDATION alternate between tmux sessions
6:03 - Change alacritty settings 2
7:29 - RECOMMENDATION yabai video
8:00 - Other files including themes
9:00 - You wanna know about kitty?

[@linkarzu]

I forgot to mention this in the video, but another HUGE reason, is that I can only use iTerm in macOS, I want a terminal emulator that I can use in macOS, Linux or even Windows (God forbid). Using the same configuration across OSs If you're just getting started and don't know how to install Alacritty, I left the instructions in my blogpost linkarzu.com/posts/2024-macos-workflow/alacritty-macos/#how-do-i-install-alacritty

[@ulcuber]

I'm using kitty because it first used kitty keyboard protocol while Alacritty been unable to handle all vim hotkeys. Also both kitty and alacritty have issues connecting via ssh compared to classic VTE terminals

[@linkarzu]

What SSH issues have you experienced? I regularly SSH into some of my devices and haven't noticed issues in Alacritty, but maybe I'm missing something. P.D. I've also recently switched to kitty, but not due to the kitty keyboard protocol, but because it allows me to view images in Neovim, I have a video about that.

[@_RomanV_]

I switched to Alacritty around a year ago and I like it very much. Especially that it does not have tabs and forces you to learn tmux :)

[@linkarzu]

I agree, I also love the fact that it's really minimal, but still has all you need. At least for me.

[@_RomanV_]

@@linkarzu 100%. same for me

[@akt_]

This is why I don't use Alacritty

[@Mohamed_Fayyad]

Is it suitable for someone who is a beginner with terminals and configuration in general?

[@linkarzu]

I would say it's not too complicated for beginners, if you are just getting started, I left the installation instructions on my blogpost linkarzu.com/posts/2024-macos-workflow/alacritty-macos/#how-do-i-install-alacritty If you want to clone my dotfiles and all configurations, you can watch my "2024 macOS workflow" playlist, there I go over how to set everything up the way I have it kzbin.info/aero/PLZWMav2s1MZTanWwNKYvS8qgwl0HBH9J-

[@xorlop]

Dang, I think we went down similar paths. I would like to also use Alacritty, but it does not care about supporting font-feature settings and kitty draws fonts in a way that breaks my font. Wezterm works amazing. Although, I have not gotten it to work on my desktop and use Alacritty there :).

[@linkarzu]

I just use regular fonts, and I guess that's why I don't experience issues, but what type of issues do you have related to fonts in Alacritty? I'd like to learn more. Anyhow, I'm switching to Kitty from Alacritty for a very specific reason. I can see images in my text editor, Neovim.