pty-architecture

Build a PTY-based multi-session terminal by defining a three-layer browser-to-server-to-CLI pipeline. This separates the xterm.js UI, the server event routing layer, and a dedicated node-pty backed CLI layer for each session.

NDJSON stream parsing works by delimiting each terminal output chunk as a separate JSON line. This allows the server to parse node-pty data streams incrementally and forward structured events to the browser for real-time terminal rendering.

Prevent memory leaks in multiple PTY sessions by implementing bounded circular output buffering. This caps the retained output size per session, preventing unbounded memory growth during heavy or long-running terminal operations.

Isolate working directories by configuring per-session cwd and worktree isolation during PTY spawn. This ensures each concurrent terminal session operates within its own git worktree, preventing file conflicts.

node-pty loses ANSI colors and resizing behavior when PTY spawn configuration omits correct TERM and ENV settings. Specifying terminal capabilities and dimensions during spawn ensures proper rendering and resize events.

You need graceful shutdown logic to avoid zombie processes with node-pty. Implementing proper session termination ensures underlying CLI processes are killed cleanly when a browser disconnects or a session closes.