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Jutsu

Running Commands

When you focus the Command Bar (Tab) and press Enter, Jutsu runs your command in one of three ways based on the target command and execution environment.

1. Background Execution

Section titled “1. Background Execution”

Most read-only or minor mutation commands run completely in the background. While the command runs, the Output Pane displays an italicized mauve spinner with an Executing command... indicator. Jutsu waits for the command to finish and then displays its combined stdout/stderr in the Output Pane — output is not streamed line-by-line as the command runs.

2. Standalone Terminal Handoff

Section titled “2. Standalone Terminal Handoff”

Commands requiring full-screen interactive editors or diff pickers (like jj describe or jj commit without -m) require direct terminal control.

When running standalone (outside a terminal multiplexer), Jutsu suspends itself and hands complete TTY control over to the editor. Once you save and close the editor (e.g., Vim, Nano), Jutsu resumes automatically. If the editor’s alternate-screen session left a recoverable plain-text summary (e.g. jj’s post-squash summary), Jutsu captures it after the handoff returns and displays it inside the Output Pane.

3. Multiplexer Handoff (Tmux & Herdr)

Section titled “3. Multiplexer Handoff (Tmux & Herdr)”

If you are running Jutsu inside a terminal multiplexer, Jutsu leverages its environment to keep your workspace clean:

  • Interactive Editors: Instead of suspending Jutsu, a new Tmux window or Herdr tab is spawned automatically containing the editor. Jutsu continues running intact; when you finish editing, the child window/tab closes, and focus returns seamlessly back to Jutsu.
  • Secure Prompts (SSH / Credentials): If a background sync operation fails because it needed a passphrase, SSH fingerprint confirmation, or HTTPS credentials, Jutsu first shows an in-TUI modal explaining that the command needs terminal input. Only after you confirm (press Enter) does Jutsu hand off to a real terminal — a Tmux/Herdr split pane inside a multiplexer, or a standalone suspend outside one. The handoff does not open automatically; the modal always waits for your confirmation first.
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