{
  "id": 8951694,
  "title": "tobi: keep commands running in detachable sessions across your devices",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/21/tobi-keep-commands-running-in-detachable-sessions-across-your-devices",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-09-21T15:31:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Lobsters",
    "slug": "lobsters",
    "url": "https://tangled.org/ptr.pet/tobi"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Tobi is a tool that enables detachable command sessions across devices. When used with self-hosted knots, the URL may vary depending on the setup. By running `tobi -- nu`, a daemon is started with the command running, automatically detaching if the terminal window is closed. Detached sessions are cleared after 24 hours of being detached. To create a session on a specific host, use `tobi host.id -- nu`, with the host being optional. Users can also create sessions using `tobi .id -- nu`. Hosts can include a user (tobi you@host.id) if the SSH config does not assign one or if a different user is desired. The fuzzy selector across the network can be accessed by simply running `tobi`. Starting a login shell on a selected host initiates a session without leaving the picker. Offline or unreachable hosts appear but cannot be selected. Attachments can be made using `tobi hx`, `tobi host`, TAB, or `tobi hs.id` with fuzzy search. Unlike tmux, Tobi does not nest, and running it inside a Tobi session will replace the session with the target session. Multiple viewers can join a single Tobi session, using the minimum terminal size. Tobi relies on tssh if present in the PATH; otherwise, it uses ssh. The tailscale binary is necessary for discovery, but Tobi functions without any additional requirements. A Nix flake is provided for easy installation using `nix profile add git+https://tangled.org/ptr.pet/tobi` or `nix-env -f . -i tobi`. Alternatively, install it using `nix profile add -f .` or build from source with Go. If a target host lacks Tobi, it will automatically install itself or upgrade an outdated version upon installation. Supported OS/architectures include Linux amd64, arm64, and macOS arm64. The Charm UI, Tailscale, LLMS, and more were utilized during development; details on the extent of usage are left to the reader.",
  "summary": null,
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}