Kitty terminal config with session restore (iTerm2-like)

README.md

Kitty Terminal Config with Session Restore

Windows, tabs, layouts and working directories saved on quit, restored on startup.

Installation

1. Copy save-session.py to ~/.config/kitty/
2. Create empty session file: touch ~/.config/kitty/last-session.conf
3. Add contents of kitty-config.conf to the END of your ~/.config/kitty/kitty.conf
4. Restart kitty

Usage

• cmd+q saves your session (tabs + directories) then quits
• Next time you open kitty, all tabs restore to their directories
• Note: Menu quit won't save session - always use cmd+q

kitty-config.conf

# =============================================================================
# Window
# =============================================================================

tab_bar_style powerline
remember_window_size yes

# New tabs/windows open in same directory
map cmd+t launch --cwd=current --type=tab
map kitty_mod+t launch --cwd=current --type=tab
map cmd+n launch --cwd=current --type=os-window
map kitty_mod+n launch --cwd=current --type=os-window

# =============================================================================
# Session restore (reopen with previous tabs/directories)
# =============================================================================

startup_session ~/.config/kitty/last-session.conf
map cmd+q kitten ~/.config/kitty/save-session.py

save-session.py

#!/usr/bin/env python3
"""Kitten to save session and quit kitty."""

import os

def main(args):
    pass

from kittens.tui.handler import result_handler

@result_handler(no_ui=True)
def handle_result(args, answer, target_window_id, boss):
    session_file = os.path.expanduser("~/.config/kitty/last-session.conf")
    lines = []
    first_os_window = True

    # Iterate through ALL OS windows
    for os_window_id in boss.os_window_map:
        tm = boss.os_window_map[os_window_id]

        if first_os_window:
            first_os_window = False
        else:
            lines.append("")
            lines.append("new_os_window")

        first_tab = True
        for tab in tm.tabs:
            if first_tab:
                first_tab = False
            else:
                lines.append("")

            lines.append("new_tab")
            lines.append(f"layout {tab.current_layout.name}")

            windows = list(tab.windows)
            if not windows:
                continue

            # First window - no location needed
            first_window = windows[0]
            cwd = first_window.cwd_of_child
            if cwd:
                lines.append(f"launch --cwd={cwd}")
            else:
                lines.append("launch")

            # Subsequent windows - determine split direction from geometry
            for i, window in enumerate(windows[1:], 1):
                cwd = window.cwd_of_child

                # Compare with previous window to guess split direction
                prev = windows[i - 1]

                # If window is to the right or left, it's hsplit
                # If window is above or below, it's vsplit
                if window.geometry.left != prev.geometry.left:
                    location = "hsplit"
                else:
                    location = "vsplit"

                if cwd:
                    lines.append(f"launch --location={location} --cwd={cwd}")
                else:
                    lines.append(f"launch --location={location}")

    # Write session file
    with open(session_file, "w") as f:
        f.write("\n".join(lines))

    # Quit kitty
    boss.quit()