Merge branch 'main' of https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij into layout-path-506

106 files changed, 1499 insertions, 1098 deletions

diff --git a/.github/workflows/rust.yml b/.github/workflows/rust.yml
index 2443c060..744bfdb0 100644
--- a/.github/workflows/rust.yml
+++ b/.github/workflows/rust.yml
@@ -16,10 +16,18 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v2
+    - uses: actions/cache@v2
+      with:
+        path: |
+          ~/.cargo/bin/
+          ~/.cargo/registry
+          ~/.cargo/git
+          target
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-cargo-${{ hashFiles('**/Cargo.lock') }}
     - name: Add WASM target
       run: rustup target add wasm32-wasi
     - name: Install cargo-make
-      run: cargo install --debug cargo-make
+      run: test -x "${HOME}/.cargo/bin/cargo-make" || cargo install --debug cargo-make
     - name: Build
       run: cargo make build
     - name: Test
@@ -31,8 +39,16 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v2
+    - uses: actions/cache@v2
+      with:
+        path: |
+          ~/.cargo/bin/
+          ~/.cargo/registry
+          ~/.cargo/git
+          target
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-cargo-${{ hashFiles('**/Cargo.lock') }}
     - name: Install cargo-make
-      run: cargo install --debug cargo-make
+      run: test -x "${HOME}/.cargo/bin/cargo-make" || cargo install --debug cargo-make
     - name: Check Format
       run: cargo make check-format
 
@@ -42,7 +58,15 @@ jobs:
 
     steps:
     - uses: actions/checkout@v2
+    - uses: actions/cache@v2
+      with:
+        path: |
+          ~/.cargo/bin/
+          ~/.cargo/registry
+          ~/.cargo/git
+          target
+        key: ${{ runner.os }}-cargo-${{ hashFiles('**/Cargo.lock') }}
     - name: Install cargo-make
-      run: cargo install --debug cargo-make
+      run: test -x "${HOME}/.cargo/bin/cargo-make" || cargo install --debug cargo-make
     - name: Check Lints
       run: cargo make clippy -D clippy::all
diff --git a/CHANGELOG.md b/CHANGELOG.md
index 536e1012..a039d478 100644
--- a/CHANGELOG.md
+++ b/CHANGELOG.md
@@ -7,6 +7,8 @@ The format is based on [Keep a Changelog](https://keepachangelog.com/en/1.0.0/)
 ## [Unreleased]
 * Remove unused imports (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/504)
 * More Infrastructure changes for the upcoming session detach feature: run server and client in separate processes (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/499)
+* Restructuring cargo workspace: Separate client, server and utils into separate crates (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/515)
+* Terminal compatibility: handle most OSC sequences (https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/pull/517)
 
 ## [0.11.0] - 2021-05-15
 
diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 92b2d0ca..31c5e709 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "event-listener",
  "futures-lite",
  "once_cell",
- "signal-hook",
+ "signal-hook 0.3.8",
  "winapi",
 ]
 
@@ -223,18 +223,6 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "cf1de2fe8c75bc145a2f577add951f8134889b4795d47466a54a5c846d691693"
 
 [[package]]
-name = "bitvec"
-version = "0.19.5"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "8942c8d352ae1838c9dda0b0ca2ab657696ef2232a20147cf1b30ae1a9cb4321"
-dependencies = [
- "funty",
- "radium",
- "tap",
- "wyz",
-]
-
-[[package]]
 name = "blocking"
 version = "1.0.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
@@ -464,6 +452,31 @@ dependencies = [
 ]
 
 [[package]]
+name = "crossterm"
+version = "0.18.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "4e86d73f2a0b407b5768d10a8c720cf5d2df49a9efc10ca09176d201ead4b7fb"
+dependencies = [
+ "bitflags",
+ "crossterm_winapi",
+ "lazy_static",
+ "libc",
+ "mio",
+ "parking_lot",
+ "signal-hook 0.1.17",
+ "winapi",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "crossterm_winapi"
+version = "0.6.2"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "c2265c3f8e080075d9b6417aa72293fc71662f34b4af2612d8d1b074d29510db"
+dependencies = [
+ "winapi",
+]
+
+[[package]]
 name = "ctor"
 version = "0.1.20"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
@@ -621,12 +634,6 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "a06f77d526c1a601b7c4cdd98f54b5eaabffc14d5f2f0296febdc7f357c6d3ba"
 
 [[package]]
-name = "funty"
-version = "1.1.0"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "fed34cd105917e91daa4da6b3728c47b068749d6a62c59811f06ed2ac71d9da7"
-
-[[package]]
 name = "futures"
 version = "0.3.14"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
@@ -951,19 +958,6 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "3576a87f2ba00f6f106fdfcd16db1d698d648a26ad8e0573cad8537c3c362d2a"
 
 [[package]]
-name = "lexical-core"
-version = "0.7.5"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "21f866863575d0e1d654fbeeabdc927292fdf862873dc3c96c6f753357e13374"
-dependencies = [
- "arrayvec",
- "bitflags",
- "cfg-if 1.0.0",
- "ryu",
- "static_assertions",
-]
-
-[[package]]
 name = "libc"
 version = "0.2.93"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
@@ -987,9 +981,9 @@ checksum = "7fb9b38af92608140b86b693604b9ffcc5824240a484d1ecd4795bacb2fe88f3"
 
 [[package]]
 name = "lock_api"
-version = "0.4.3"
+version = "0.4.4"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "5a3c91c24eae6777794bb1997ad98bbb87daf92890acab859f7eaa4320333176"
+checksum = "0382880606dff6d15c9476c416d18690b72742aa7b605bb6dd6ec9030fbf07eb"
 dependencies = [
  "scopeguard",
 ]
@@ -1048,6 +1042,28 @@ dependencies = [
 ]
 
 [[package]]
+name = "mio"
+version = "0.7.11"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "cf80d3e903b34e0bd7282b218398aec54e082c840d9baf8339e0080a0c542956"
+dependencies = [
+ "libc",
+ "log",
+ "miow",
+ "ntapi",
+ "winapi",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "miow"
+version = "0.3.7"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "b9f1c5b025cda876f66ef43a113f91ebc9f4ccef34843000e0adf6ebbab84e21"
+dependencies = [
+ "winapi",
+]
+
+[[package]]
 name = "more-asserts"
 version = "0.2.1"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
@@ -1075,16 +1091,12 @@ dependencies = [
 ]
 
 [[package]]
-name = "nom"
-version = "6.1.2"
+name = "ntapi"
+version = "0.3.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "e7413f999671bd4745a7b624bd370a569fb6bc574b23c83a3c5ed2e453f3d5e2"
+checksum = "3f6bb902e437b6d86e03cce10a7e2af662292c5dfef23b65899ea3ac9354ad44"
 dependencies = [
- "bitvec",
- "funty",
- "lexical-core",
- "memchr",
- "version_check",
+ "winapi",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -1132,6 +1144,31 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "427c3892f9e783d91cc128285287e70a59e206ca452770ece88a76f7a3eddd72"
 
 [[package]]
+name = "parking_lot"
+version = "0.11.1"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "6d7744ac029df22dca6284efe4e898991d28e3085c706c972bcd7da4a27a15eb"
+dependencies = [
+ "instant",
+ "lock_api",
+ "parking_lot_core",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "parking_lot_core"
+version = "0.8.3"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "fa7a782938e745763fe6907fc6ba86946d72f49fe7e21de074e08128a99fb018"
+dependencies = [
+ "cfg-if 1.0.0",
+ "instant",
+ "libc",
+ "redox_syscall",
+ "smallvec",
+ "winapi",
+]
+
+[[package]]
 name = "pin-project-lite"
 version = "0.2.6"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
@@ -1227,12 +1264,6 @@ dependencies = [
 ]
 
 [[package]]
-name = "radium"
-version = "0.5.3"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "941ba9d78d8e2f7ce474c015eea4d9c6d25b6a3327f9832ee29a4de27f91bbb8"
-
-[[package]]
 name = "rand"
 version = "0.3.23"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
@@ -1482,6 +1513,17 @@ dependencies = [
 
 [[package]]
 name = "signal-hook"
+version = "0.1.17"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "7e31d442c16f047a671b5a71e2161d6e68814012b7f5379d269ebd915fac2729"
+dependencies = [
+ "libc",
+ "mio",
+ "signal-hook-registry",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "signal-hook"
 version = "0.3.8"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "ef33d6d0cd06e0840fba9985aab098c147e67e05cee14d412d3345ed14ff30ac"
@@ -1543,12 +1585,6 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "a8f112729512f8e442d81f95a8a7ddf2b7c6b8a1a6f509a95864142b30cab2d3"
 
 [[package]]
-name = "static_assertions"
-version = "1.1.0"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "a2eb9349b6444b326872e140eb1cf5e7c522154d69e7a0ffb0fb81c06b37543f"
-
-[[package]]
 name = "status-bar"
 version = "0.1.0"
 dependencies = [
@@ -1652,12 +1688,6 @@ dependencies = [
 ]
 
 [[package]]
-name = "tap"
-version = "1.0.1"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "55937e1799185b12863d447f42597ed69d9928686b8d88a1df17376a097d8369"
-
-[[package]]
 name = "target-lexicon"
 version = "0.11.2"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
@@ -1678,6 +1708,17 @@ dependencies = [
 ]
 
 [[package]]
+name = "termbg"
+version = "0.2.0"
+source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
+checksum = "133c09f40b7a6a10616bb46d2b7d78d50cb8c6c475c84f3c02fe261957d9e0e0"
+dependencies = [
+ "crossterm",
+ "thiserror",
+ "winapi",
+]
+
+[[package]]
 name = "terminal_size"
 version = "0.1.16"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
@@ -1700,15 +1741,6 @@ dependencies = [
 ]
 
 [[package]]
-name = "termios"
-version = "0.3.3"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "411c5bf740737c7918b8b1fe232dca4dc9f8e754b8ad5e20966814001ed0ac6b"
-dependencies = [
- "libc",
-]
-
-[[package]]
 name = "textwrap"
 version = "0.11.0"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
@@ -1811,15 +1843,6 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "bb0d2e7be6ae3a5fa87eed5fb451aff96f2573d2694942e40543ae0bbe19c796"
 
 [[package]]
-name = "unicode-truncate"
-version = "0.2.0"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "a04be5ca5f7a4a7270ffea82bc41c59b87c611ed04f20e77c338e8d3c2348e42"
-dependencies = [
- "unicode-width",
-]
-
-[[package]]
 name = "unicode-width"
 version = "0.1.8"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
@@ -2254,12 +2277,6 @@ source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
 checksum = "712e227841d057c1ee1cd2fb22fa7e5a5461ae8e48fa2ca79ec42cfc1931183f"
 
 [[package]]
-name = "wyz"
-version = "0.2.0"
-source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
-checksum = "85e60b0d1b5f99db2556934e21937020776a5d31520bf169e851ac44e6420214"
-
-[[package]]
 name = "yaml-rust"
 version = "0.4.5"
 source = "registry+https://github.com/rust-lang/crates.io-index"
@@ -2272,37 +2289,53 @@ dependencies = [
 name = "zellij"
 version = "0.12.0"
 dependencies = [
+ "insta",
+ "interprocess",
+ "nix",
+ "structopt",
+ "vte 0.10.1",
+ "zellij-client",
+ "zellij-server",
+ "zellij-tile",
+ "zellij-utils",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "zellij-client"
+version = "0.12.0"
+dependencies = [
+ "interprocess",
+ "libc",
+ "nix",
+ "signal-hook 0.3.8",
+ "termbg",
+ "termion",
+ "zellij-tile",
+ "zellij-utils",
+]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "zellij-server"
+version = "0.12.0"
+dependencies = [
  "ansi_term 0.12.1",
  "async-std",
- "backtrace",
- "bincode",
- "colors-transform",
  "daemonize",
- "directories-next",
- "futures",
  "insta",
  "interprocess",
- "lazy_static",
  "libc",
- "names",
  "nix",
- "nom",
  "serde",
  "serde_json",
  "serde_yaml",
- "signal-hook",
- "strip-ansi-escapes",
- "structopt",
- "strum",
- "tempfile",
+ "signal-hook 0.3.8",
  "termion",
- "termios",
- "unicode-truncate",
  "unicode-width",
  "vte 0.10.1",
  "wasmer",
  "wasmer-wasi",
  "zellij-tile",
+ "zellij-utils",
 ]
 
 [[package]]
@@ -2321,3 +2354,26 @@ version = "0.12.0"
 dependencies = [
  "ansi_term 0.12.1",
 ]
+
+[[package]]
+name = "zellij-utils"
+version = "0.12.0"
+dependencies = [
+ "async-std",
+ "backtrace",
+ "bincode",
+ "colors-transform",
+ "directories-next",
+ "interprocess",
+ "lazy_static",
+ "names",
+ "nix",
+ "serde",
+ "serde_yaml",
+ "strip-ansi-escapes",
+ "structopt",
+ "strum",
+ "tempfile",
+ "termion",
+ "zellij-tile",
+]
diff --git a/Cargo.toml b/Cargo.toml
index 099d17f6..231b480a 100644
--- a/Cargo.toml
+++ b/Cargo.toml
@@ -8,52 +8,34 @@ license = "MIT"
 repository = "https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij"
 homepage = "https://zellij.dev"
 include = ["src/**/*", "assets/plugins/*", "assets/layouts/*", "assets/config/*", "LICENSE.md", "README.md", "!**/*_test.*", "!**/tests/**/*"]
+resolver = "2"
 
 # See more keys and their definitions at https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/reference/manifest.html
 
 [dependencies]
-ansi_term = "0.12.1"
-backtrace = "0.3.55"
-bincode = "1.3.1"
-daemonize = "0.4.1"
-directories-next = "2.0"
-futures = "0.3.5"
-libc = "0.2"
-nix = "0.19.1"
-nom = "6.0.1"
-serde = { version = "1.0", features = ["derive"] }
-serde_json = "1.0"
-serde_yaml = "0.8"
-signal-hook = "0.3"
-strip-ansi-escapes = "0.1.0"
+zellij-utils = { path = "zellij-utils/", version = "0.12.0" }
+zellij-client = { path = "zellij-client/", version = "0.12.0" }
+zellij-server = { path = "zellij-server/", version = "0.12.0" }
+zellij-tile = { path = "zellij-tile/", version = "0.12.0" }
 structopt = "0.3"
-termion = "1.5.0"
-termios = "0.3"
-unicode-truncate = "0.2.0"
-unicode-width = "0.1.8"
-vte = "0.10.1"
-strum = "0.20.0"
-lazy_static = "1.4.0"
-wasmer = "1.0.0"
-wasmer-wasi = "1.0.0"
 interprocess = "1.1.1"
-names = "0.11.0"
-colors-transform = "0.2.5"
-zellij-tile = { path = "zellij-tile/", version = "0.12.0" }
-
-[dependencies.async-std]
-version = "1.3.0"
-features = ["unstable"]
+vte = "0.10.1"
+nix = "0.19.1"
 
 [dev-dependencies]
 insta = "1.6.0"
-tempfile = "3.2.0"
+zellij-utils = { path = "zellij-utils/", version = "*", features = ["test"] }
+zellij-client = { path = "zellij-client/", version = "*", features = ["test"] }
+zellij-server = { path = "zellij-server/", version = "*", features = ["test"] }
 
 [build-dependencies]
 structopt = "0.3"
 
 [workspace]
 members = [
+    "zellij-client",
+    "zellij-server",
+    "zellij-utils",
     "zellij-tile",
     "zellij-tile-utils",
     "default-plugins/status-bar",
diff --git a/Makefile.toml b/Makefile.toml
index 75f78b25..6decb0de 100644
--- a/Makefile.toml
+++ b/Makefile.toml
@@ -24,6 +24,7 @@ env = { "SKIP_TEST" = true }
 [tasks.test]
 condition = { env_false = ["SKIP_TEST"] }
 dependencies = ["pre-test"]
+args = ["test"]
 
 [tasks.post-test]
 env = { "SKIP_TEST" = false }
@@ -37,6 +38,12 @@ run_task = "launch"
 [tasks.build-workspace]
 run_task = { name = "build", fork = true }
 
+[tasks.build]
+args = ["build"]
+
+[tasks.build-release]
+args = ["build", "--release"]
+
 [tasks.build-dev-data-dir]
 script_runner = "@duckscript"
 script = '''
diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index a1a41fe6..916f6720 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -36,15 +36,14 @@ cargo install zellij
 
 Or you can download a prebuilt binary from our [Releases](https://github.com/zellij-org/zellij/releases).
 
-As the default plugins make use of characters that are mostly only found in [nerdfonts](https://www.nerdfonts.com/),
-you get the best experience either with installing nerdfonts, or telling the plugins that you request a ui, that
-does not rely on such characters with `zellij options --simplified-ui`, or putting `simplified_ui: true` in the
-config file.
+The default plugins make use of characters that are mostly found in [nerdfonts](https://www.nerdfonts.com/).
+To get the best experience either install nerdfonts, or use the simplified ui by starting Zellij with `zellij options --simplified-ui`, or putting `simplified_ui: true` in the config file.
 
 ## How do I hack on it? (Contributing)
 * Clone the project
 * Install cargo-make with `cargo install --force cargo-make`
 * In the project folder, for debug builds run: `cargo make run`
+* To run all tests: `cargo make test`
 
 For more build commands, see [`Contributing.md`](CONTRIBUTING.md).
 
diff --git a/default-plugins/status-bar/src/main.rs b/default-plugins/status-bar/src/main.rs
index bb56c279..cf9445d6 100644
--- a/default-plugins/status-bar/src/main.rs
+++ b/default-plugins/status-bar/src/main.rs
@@ -72,55 +72,61 @@ pub struct ColoredElements {
 // that can be defined in the config perhaps
 fn color_elements(palette: Palette) -> ColoredElements {
     match palette.source {
+        // "cyan" here is used as a background as a dirty hack
+        // this is because the Palette struct doesn't have a "gray" section
+        // and we can't use its "bg" because that is now dynamically taken from the terminal
+        // and might often not actually fit the rest of the colorscheme
+        //
+        // to fix this, we need to restructure the Palette struct
         PaletteSource::Default => ColoredElements {
-            selected_prefix_separator: style!(palette.bg, palette.green),
+            selected_prefix_separator: style!(palette.cyan, palette.green),
             selected_char_left_separator: style!(palette.black, palette.green).bold(),
             selected_char_shortcut: style!(palette.red, palette.green).bold(),
             selected_char_right_separator: style!(palette.black, palette.green).bold(),
             selected_styled_text: style!(palette.black, palette.green).bold(),
-            selected_suffix_separator: style!(palette.green, palette.bg).bold(),
-            unselected_prefix_separator: style!(palette.bg, palette.fg),
+            selected_suffix_separator: style!(palette.green, palette.cyan).bold(),
+            unselected_prefix_separator: style!(palette.cyan, palette.fg),
             unselected_char_left_separator: style!(palette.black, palette.fg).bold(),
             unselected_char_shortcut: style!(palette.red, palette.fg).bold(),
             unselected_char_right_separator: style!(palette.black, palette.fg).bold(),
             unselected_styled_text: style!(palette.black, palette.fg).bold(),
-            unselected_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.bg),
-            disabled_prefix_separator: style!(palette.bg, palette.fg),
-            disabled_styled_text: style!(palette.bg, palette.fg).dimmed(),
-            disabled_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.bg),
-            selected_single_letter_prefix_separator: style!(palette.bg, palette.green),
+            unselected_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.cyan),
+            disabled_prefix_separator: style!(palette.cyan, palette.fg),
+            disabled_styled_text: style!(palette.cyan, palette.fg).dimmed(),
+            disabled_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.cyan),
+            selected_single_letter_prefix_separator: style!(palette.cyan, palette.green),
             selected_single_letter_char_shortcut: style!(palette.red, palette.green).bold(),
-            selected_single_letter_suffix_separator: style!(palette.green, palette.bg),
-            unselected_single_letter_prefix_separator: style!(palette.bg, palette.fg),
+            selected_single_letter_suffix_separator: style!(palette.green, palette.cyan),
+            unselected_single_letter_prefix_separator: style!(palette.cyan, palette.fg),
             unselected_single_letter_char_shortcut: style!(palette.red, palette.fg).bold(),
-            unselected_single_letter_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.bg),
-            superkey_prefix: style!(palette.white, palette.bg).bold(),
-            superkey_suffix_separator: style!(palette.bg, palette.bg),
+            unselected_single_letter_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.cyan),
+            superkey_prefix: style!(palette.white, palette.cyan).bold(),
+            superkey_suffix_separator: style!(palette.cyan, palette.cyan),
         },
         PaletteSource::Xresources => ColoredElements {
-            selected_prefix_separator: style!(palette.bg, palette.green),
+            selected_prefix_separator: style!(palette.cyan, palette.green),
             selected_char_left_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.green).bold(),
             selected_char_shortcut: style!(palette.red, palette.green).bold(),
             selected_char_right_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.green).bold(),
-            selected_styled_text: style!(palette.bg, palette.green).bold(),
-            selected_suffix_separator: style!(palette.green, palette.bg).bold(),
-            unselected_prefix_separator: style!(palette.bg, palette.fg),
-            unselected_char_left_separator: style!(palette.bg, palette.fg).bold(),
+            selected_styled_text: style!(palette.cyan, palette.green).bold(),
+            selected_suffix_separator: style!(palette.green, palette.cyan).bold(),
+            unselected_prefix_separator: style!(palette.cyan, palette.fg),
+            unselected_char_left_separator: style!(palette.cyan, palette.fg).bold(),
             unselected_char_shortcut: style!(palette.red, palette.fg).bold(),
-            unselected_char_right_separator: style!(palette.bg, palette.fg).bold(),
-            unselected_styled_text: style!(palette.bg, palette.fg).bold(),
-            unselected_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.bg),
-            disabled_prefix_separator: style!(palette.bg, palette.fg),
-            disabled_styled_text: style!(palette.bg, palette.fg).dimmed(),
-            disabled_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.bg),
+            unselected_char_right_separator: style!(palette.cyan, palette.fg).bold(),
+            unselected_styled_text: style!(palette.cyan, palette.fg).bold(),
+            unselected_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.cyan),
+            disabled_prefix_separator: style!(palette.cyan, palette.fg),
+            disabled_styled_text: style!(palette.cyan, palette.fg).dimmed(),
+            disabled_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.cyan),
             selected_single_letter_prefix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.green),
             selected_single_letter_char_shortcut: style!(palette.red, palette.green).bold(),
             selected_single_letter_suffix_separator: style!(palette.green, palette.fg),
-            unselected_single_letter_prefix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.bg),
+            unselected_single_letter_prefix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.cyan),
             unselected_single_letter_char_shortcut: style!(palette.red, palette.fg).bold(),
-            unselected_single_letter_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.bg),
-            superkey_prefix: style!(palette.bg, palette.fg).bold(),
-            superkey_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.bg),
+            unselected_single_letter_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.cyan),
+            superkey_prefix: style!(palette.cyan, palette.fg).bold(),
+            superkey_suffix_separator: style!(palette.fg, palette.cyan),
         },
     }
 }
@@ -155,7 +161,7 @@ impl ZellijPlugin for State {
 
         // [48;5;238m is gray background, [0K is so that it fills the rest of the line
         // [m is background reset, [0K is so that it clears the rest of the line
-        match self.mode_info.palette.bg {
+        match self.mode_info.palette.cyan {
             PaletteColor::Rgb((r, g, b)) => {
                 println!("{}\u{1b}[48;2;{};{};{}m\u{1b}[0K", first_line, r, g, b);
             }
diff --git a/default-plugins/tab-bar/src/line.rs b/default-plugins/tab-bar/src/line.rs
index 574edb78..fce8982d 100644
--- a/default-plugins/tab-bar/src/line.rs
+++ b/default-plugins/tab-bar/src/line.rs
@@ -62,11 +62,11 @@ fn left_more_message(tab_count_to_the_left: usize, palette: Palette, separator:
     };
     // 238
     let more_text_len = more_text.chars().count() + 2; // 2 for the arrows
-    let left_separator = style!(palette.bg, palette.orange).paint(separator);
+    let left_separator = style!(palette.cyan, palette.orange).paint(separator);
     let more_styled_text = style!(palette.black, palette.orange)
         .bold()
         .paint(more_text);
-    let right_separator = style!(palette.orange, palette.bg).paint(separator);
+    let right_separator = style!(palette.orange, palette.cyan).paint(separator);
     let more_styled_text = format!(
         "{}",
         ANSIStrings(&[left_separator, more_styled_text, right_separator,])
@@ -94,11 +94,11 @@ fn right_more_message(
         " +many → ".to_string()
     };
     let more_text_len = more_text.chars().count() + 1; // 2 for the arrow
-    let left_separator = style!(palette.bg, palette.orange).paint(separator);
+    let left_separator = style!(palette.cyan, palette.orange).paint(separator);
     let more_styled_text = style!(palette.black, palette.orange)
         .bold()
         .paint(more_text);
-    let right_separator = style!(palette.orange, palette.bg).paint(separator);
+    let right_separator = style!(palette.orange, palette.cyan).paint(separator);
     let more_styled_text = format!(
         "{}",
         ANSIStrings(&[left_separator, more_styled_text, right_separator,])
@@ -147,7 +147,9 @@ fn add_next_tabs_msg(
 fn tab_line_prefix(palette: Palette) -> LinePart {
     let prefix_text = " Zellij ".to_string();
     let prefix_text_len = prefix_text.chars().count();
-    let prefix_styled_text = style!(palette.white, palette.bg).bold().paint(prefix_text);
+    let prefix_styled_text = style!(palette.white, palette.cyan)
+        .bold()
+        .paint(prefix_text);
     LinePart {
         part: format!("{}", prefix_styled_text),
         len: prefix_text_len,
diff --git a/default-plugins/tab-bar/src/main.rs b/default-plugins/tab-bar/src/main.rs
index 00ff4bd9..46336be3 100644
--- a/default-plugins/tab-bar/src/main.rs
+++ b/default-plugins/tab-bar/src/main.rs
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ impl ZellijPlugin for State {
         for bar_part in tab_line {
             s = format!("{}{}", s, bar_part.part);
         }
-        match self.mode_info.palette.bg {
+        match self.mode_info.palette.cyan {
             PaletteColor::Rgb((r, g, b)) => {
                 println!("{}\u{1b}[48;2;{};{};{}m\u{1b}[0K", s, r, g, b);
             }
diff --git a/default-plugins/tab-bar/src/tab.rs b/default-plugins/tab-bar/src/tab.rs
index 85e2c378..fb8e377d 100644
--- a/default-plugins/tab-bar/src/tab.rs
+++ b/default-plugins/tab-bar/src/tab.rs
@@ -4,12 +4,12 @@ use zellij_tile::prelude::*;
 use zellij_tile_utils::style;
 
 pub fn active_tab(text: String, palette: Palette, separator: &str) -> LinePart {
-    let left_separator = style!(palette.bg, palette.green).paint(separator);
+    let left_separator = style!(palette.cyan, palette.green).paint(separator);
     let tab_text_len = text.chars().count() + 4; // 2 for left and right separators, 2 for the text padding
     let tab_styled_text = style!(palette.black, palette.green)
         .bold()
         .paint(format!(" {} ", text));
-    let right_separator = style!(palette.green, palette.bg).paint(separator);
+    let right_separator = style!(palette.green, palette.cyan).paint(separator);
     let tab_styled_text = format!(
         "{}",
         ANSIStrings(&[left_separator, tab_styled_text, right_separator,])
@@ -21,12 +21,12 @@ pub fn active_tab(text: String, palette: Palette, separator: &str) -> LinePart {
 }
 
 pub fn non_active_tab(text: String, palette: Palette, separator: &str) -> LinePart {
-    let left_separator = style!(palette.bg, palette.fg).paint(separator);
+    let left_separator = style!(palette.cyan, palette.fg).paint(separator);
     let tab_text_len = text.chars().count() + 4; // 2 for left and right separators, 2 for the padding
     let tab_styled_text = style!(palette.black, palette.fg)
         .bold()
         .paint(format!(" {} ", text));
-    let right_separator = style!(palette.fg, palette.bg).paint(separator);
+    let right_separator = style!(palette.fg, palette.cyan).paint(separator);
     let tab_styled_text = format!(
         "{}",
         ANSIStrings(&[left_separator, tab_styled_text, right_separator,])
diff --git a/src/common/input/mod.rs b/src/common/input/mod.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index f30ccf23..00000000
--- a/src/common/input/mod.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,7 +0,0 @@
-//! The way terminal input is handled.
-
-pub mod actions;
-pub mod config;
-pub mod handler;
-pub mod keybinds;
-pub mod options;
diff --git a/src/common/mod.rs b/src/common/mod.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index c91e1e05..00000000
--- a/src/common/mod.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,14 +0,0 @@
-pub mod command_is_executing;
-pub mod errors;
-pub mod input;
-pub mod ipc;
-pub mod os_input_output;
-pub mod pty;
-pub mod screen;
-pub mod setup;
-pub mod thread_bus;
-pub mod utils;
-pub mod wasm_vm;
-
-use crate::panes::PaneId;
-use crate::server::ServerInstruction;
diff --git a/src/common/thread_bus.rs b/src/common/thread_bus.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index 8827d068..00000000
--- a/src/common/thread_bus.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,142 +0,0 @@
-//! Definitions and helpers for sending and receiving messages between threads.
-
-use async_std::task_local;
-use std::cell::RefCell;
-use std::sync::mpsc;
-
-use crate::common::pty::PtyInstruction;
-use crate::common::ServerInstruction;
-use crate::errors::{get_current_ctx, ErrorContext};
-use crate::os_input_output::ServerOsApi;
-use crate::screen::ScreenInstruction;
-use crate::wasm_vm::PluginInstruction;
-
-/// An [MPSC](mpsc) asynchronous channel with added error context.
-pub type ChannelWithContext<T> = (
-    mpsc::Sender<(T, ErrorContext)>,
-    mpsc::Receiver<(T, ErrorContext)>,
-);
-/// An [MPSC](mpsc) synchronous channel with added error context.
-pub type SyncChannelWithContext<T> = (
-    mpsc::SyncSender<(T, ErrorContext)>,
-    mpsc::Receiver<(T, ErrorContext)>,
-);
-
-/// Wrappers around the two standard [MPSC](mpsc) sender types, [`mpsc::Sender`] and [`mpsc::SyncSender`], with an additional [`ErrorContext`].
-#[derive(Clone)]
-pub enum SenderType<T: Clone> {
-    /// A wrapper around an [`mpsc::Sender`], adding an [`ErrorContext`].
-    Sender(mpsc::Sender<(T, ErrorContext)>),
-    /// A wrapper around an [`mpsc::SyncSender`], adding an [`ErrorContext`].
-    SyncSender(mpsc::SyncSender<(T, ErrorContext)>),
-}
-
-/// Sends messages on an [MPSC](std::sync::mpsc) channel, along with an [`ErrorContext`],
-/// synchronously or asynchronously depending on the underlying [`SenderType`].
-#[derive(Clone)]
-pub struct SenderWithContext<T: Clone> {
-    sender: SenderType<T>,
-}
-
-impl<T: Clone> SenderWithContext<T> {
-    pub fn new(sender: SenderType<T>) -> Self {
-        Self { sender }
-    }
-
-    /// Sends an event, along with the current [`ErrorContext`], on this
-    /// [`SenderWithContext`]'s channel.
-    pub fn send(&self, event: T) -> Result<(), mpsc::SendError<(T, ErrorContext)>> {
-        let err_ctx = get_current_ctx();
-        match self.sender {
-            SenderType::Sender(ref s) => s.send((event, err_ctx)),
-            SenderType::SyncSender(ref s) => s.send((event, err_ctx)),
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-unsafe impl<T: Clone> Send for SenderWithContext<T> {}
-unsafe impl<T: Clone> Sync for SenderWithContext<T> {}
-
-thread_local!(
-    /// A key to some thread local storage (TLS) that holds a representation of the thread's call
-    /// stack in the form of an [`ErrorContext`].
-    pub static OPENCALLS: RefCell<ErrorContext> = RefCell::default()
-);
-
-task_local! {
-    /// A key to some task local storage that holds a representation of the task's call
-    /// stack in the form of an [`ErrorContext`].
-    pub static ASYNCOPENCALLS: RefCell<ErrorContext> = RefCell::default()
-}
-
-/// A container for senders to the different threads in zellij on the server side
-#[derive(Clone)]
-pub struct ThreadSenders {
-    pub to_screen: Option<SenderWithContext<ScreenInstruction>>,
-    pub to_pty: Option<SenderWithContext<PtyInstruction>>,
-    pub to_plugin: Option<SenderWithContext<PluginInstruction>>,
-    pub to_server: Option<SenderWithContext<ServerInstruction>>,
-}
-
-impl ThreadSenders {
-    pub fn send_to_screen(
-        &self,
-        instruction: ScreenInstruction,
-    ) -> Result<(), mpsc::SendError<(ScreenInstruction, ErrorContext)>> {
-        self.to_screen.as_ref().unwrap().send(instruction)
-    }
-
-    pub fn send_to_pty(
-        &self,
-        instruction: PtyInstruction,
-    ) -> Result<(), mpsc::SendError<(PtyInstruction, ErrorContext)>> {
-        self.to_pty.as_ref().unwrap().send(instruction)
-    }
-
-    pub fn send_to_plugin(
-        &self,
-        instruction: PluginInstruction,
-    ) -> Result<(), mpsc::SendError<(PluginInstruction, ErrorContext)>> {
-        self.to_plugin.as_ref().unwrap().send(instruction)
-    }
-
-    pub fn send_to_server(
-        &self,
-        instruction: ServerInstruction,
-    ) -> Result<(), mpsc::SendError<(ServerInstruction, ErrorContext)>> {
-        self.to_server.as_ref().unwrap().send(instruction)
-    }
-}
-
-/// A container for a receiver, OS input and the senders to a given thread
-pub struct Bus<T> {
-    pub receiver: mpsc::Receiver<(T, ErrorContext)>,
-    pub senders: ThreadSenders,
-    pub os_input: Option<Box<dyn ServerOsApi>>,
-}
-
-impl<T> Bus<T> {
-    pub fn new(
-        receiver: mpsc::Receiver<(T, ErrorContext)>,
-        to_screen: Option<&SenderWithContext<ScreenInstruction>>,
-        to_pty: Option<&SenderWithContext<PtyInstruction>>,
-        to_plugin: Option<&SenderWithContext<PluginInstruction>>,
-        to_server: Option<&SenderWithContext<ServerInstruction>>,
-        os_input: Option<Box<dyn ServerOsApi>>,
-    ) -> Self {
-        Bus {
-            receiver,
-            senders: ThreadSenders {
-                to_screen: to_screen.cloned(),
-                to_pty: to_pty.cloned(),
-                to_plugin: to_plugin.cloned(),
-                to_server: to_server.cloned(),
-            },
-            os_input: os_input.clone(),
-        }
-    }
-
-    pub fn recv(&self) -> Result<(T, ErrorContext), mpsc::RecvError> {
-        self.receiver.recv()
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/common/utils/mod.rs b/src/common/utils/mod.rs
deleted file mode 100644
index 1cb4df27..00000000
--- a/src/common/utils/mod.rs
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,5 +0,0 @@
-//! Zellij utilities.
-
-pub mod consts;
-pub mod logging;
-pub mod shared;
diff --git a/src/main.rs b/src/main.rs
index 49e42ffb..1e1d4764 100644
--- a/src/main.rs
+++ b/src/main.rs
@@ -1,31 +1,22 @@
-mod cli;
-mod client;
-mod common;
-mod server;
 #[cfg(test)]
 mod tests;
 
-use client::{boundaries, layout, panes, start_client, tab};
-use common::{
-    command_is_executing, errors, os_input_output, pty, screen, setup::Setup, utils, wasm_vm,
-};
-use server::start_server;
+use std::convert::TryFrom;
 use structopt::StructOpt;
-
-use crate::cli::CliArgs;
-use crate::command_is_executing::CommandIsExecuting;
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
-use crate::os_input_output::{get_client_os_input, get_server_os_input};
-use crate::utils::{
+use zellij_client::{os_input_output::get_client_os_input, start_client};
+use zellij_server::{os_input_output::get_server_os_input, start_server};
+use zellij_utils::{
+    cli::{CliArgs, ConfigCli},
     consts::{ZELLIJ_TMP_DIR, ZELLIJ_TMP_LOG_DIR},
+    input::config::Config,
     logging::*,
+    setup::Setup,
 };
-use std::convert::TryFrom;
 
 pub fn main() {
     let opts = CliArgs::from_args();
 
-    if let Some(crate::cli::ConfigCli::Setup(setup)) = opts.option.clone() {
+    if let Some(ConfigCli::Setup(setup)) = opts.option.clone() {
         Setup::from_cli(&setup, opts).expect("Failed to print to stdout");
         std::process::exit(0);
     } else {
@@ -39,10 +30,22 @@ pub fn main() {
         atomic_create_dir(&*ZELLIJ_TMP_DIR).unwrap();
         atomic_create_dir(&*ZELLIJ_TMP_LOG_DIR).unwrap();
         if let Some(path) = opts.server {
-            let os_input = get_server_os_input();
+            let os_input = match get_server_os_input() {
+                Ok(server_os_input) => server_os_input,
+                Err(e) => {
+                    eprintln!("failed to open terminal:\n{}", e);
+                    std::process::exit(1);
+                }
+            };
             start_server(Box::new(os_input), path);
         } else {
-            let os_input = get_client_os_input();
+            let os_input = match get_client_os_input() {
+                Ok(os_input) => os_input,
+                Err(e) => {
+                    eprintln!("failed to open terminal:\n{}", e);
+                    std::process::exit(1);
+                }
+            };
             start_client(Box::new(os_input), opts, config);
         }
     }
diff --git a/src/tests/fakes.rs b/src/tests/fakes.rs
index 98ec694a..09cc2ba3 100644
--- a/src/tests/fakes.rs
+++ b/src/tests/fakes.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,5 @@
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
+use crate::tests::possible_tty_inputs::{get_possible_tty_inputs, Bytes};
+use crate::tests::utils::commands::{QUIT, SLEEP};
 use interprocess::local_socket::LocalSocketStream;
 use std::collections::{HashMap, VecDeque};
 use std::io::Write;
@@ -6,15 +7,16 @@ use std::os::unix::io::RawFd;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::sync::{mpsc, Arc, Condvar, Mutex};
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
-
-use crate::common::ipc::{ClientToServerMsg, ServerToClientMsg};
-use crate::common::thread_bus::{ChannelWithContext, SenderType, SenderWithContext};
-use crate::errors::ErrorContext;
-use crate::os_input_output::{ClientOsApi, ServerOsApi};
-use crate::tests::possible_tty_inputs::{get_possible_tty_inputs, Bytes};
-use crate::tests::utils::commands::{QUIT, SLEEP};
-use crate::utils::shared::default_palette;
+use zellij_client::os_input_output::ClientOsApi;
+use zellij_server::os_input_output::ServerOsApi;
 use zellij_tile::data::Palette;
+use zellij_utils::{
+    channels::{ChannelWithContext, SenderType, SenderWithContext},
+    errors::ErrorContext,
+    ipc::{ClientToServerMsg, ServerToClientMsg},
+    pane_size::PositionAndSize,
+    shared::default_palette,
+};
 
 const MIN_TIME_BETWEEN_SNAPSHOTS: Duration = Duration::from_millis(150);
 
@@ -217,6 +219,9 @@ impl ClientOsApi for FakeInputOutput {
         }
     }
     fn connect_to_server(&self, _path: &std::path::Path) {}
+    fn load_palette(&self) -> Palette {
+        default_palette()
+    }
 }
 
 impl ServerOsApi for FakeInputOutput {
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/basic.rs b/src/tests/integration/basic.rs
index bb581eb1..640b1c55 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/basic.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/basic.rs
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use ::insta::assert_snapshot;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
@@ -12,6 +11,7 @@ use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
 };
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(fake_win_size.clone())
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/close_pane.rs b/src/tests/integration/close_pane.rs
index cfb912ee..b5ba7f19 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/close_pane.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/close_pane.rs
@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use ::insta::assert_snapshot;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
     CLOSE_PANE_IN_PANE_MODE, ESC, MOVE_FOCUS_IN_PANE_MODE, PANE_MODE, QUIT,
     RESIZE_DOWN_IN_RESIZE_MODE, RESIZE_LEFT_IN_RESIZE_MODE, RESIZE_MODE, RESIZE_UP_IN_RESIZE_MODE,
     SPLIT_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE, SPLIT_RIGHT_IN_PANE_MODE,
 };
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(fake_win_size.clone())
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/compatibility.rs b/src/tests/integration/compatibility.rs
index 06222a3a..3b28a970 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/compatibility.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/compatibility.rs
@@ -1,15 +1,15 @@
 use ::insta::assert_snapshot;
 use ::std::collections::HashMap;
 
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::possible_tty_inputs::Bytes;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::QUIT;
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 /*
  * These tests are general compatibility tests for non-trivial scenarios running in the terminal.
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/layouts.rs b/src/tests/integration/layouts.rs
index fa46e9f7..e6986924 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/layouts.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/layouts.rs
@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 use insta::assert_snapshot;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::QUIT;
 use crate::tests::utils::get_output_frame_snapshots;
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(fake_win_size.clone())
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/move_focus_down.rs b/src/tests/integration/move_focus_down.rs
index b1032bd0..2f18ab62 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/move_focus_down.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/move_focus_down.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 use ::insta::assert_snapshot;
 
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
     MOVE_FOCUS_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE, MOVE_FOCUS_UP_IN_PANE_MODE, PANE_MODE, QUIT,
     SPLIT_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE, SPLIT_RIGHT_IN_PANE_MODE,
 };
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(*fake_win_size)
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/move_focus_left.rs b/src/tests/integration/move_focus_left.rs
index 4842f342..a9fca49e 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/move_focus_left.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/move_focus_left.rs
@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
 use ::insta::assert_snapshot;
 
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
     ENTER, MOVE_FOCUS_LEFT_IN_NORMAL_MODE, MOVE_FOCUS_LEFT_IN_PANE_MODE,
     MOVE_FOCUS_RIGHT_IN_PANE_MODE, NEW_TAB_IN_TAB_MODE, PANE_MODE, QUIT, SPLIT_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE,
     SPLIT_RIGHT_IN_PANE_MODE, TAB_MODE,
 };
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(*fake_win_size)
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/move_focus_right.rs b/src/tests/integration/move_focus_right.rs
index 6ff6e21a..c85d5b96 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/move_focus_right.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/move_focus_right.rs
@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
 use ::insta::assert_snapshot;
 
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
     ENTER, MOVE_FOCUS_LEFT_IN_PANE_MODE, MOVE_FOCUS_RIGHT_IN_NORMAL_MODE,
     MOVE_FOCUS_RIGHT_IN_PANE_MODE, NEW_TAB_IN_TAB_MODE, PANE_MODE, QUIT, SPLIT_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE,
     SPLIT_RIGHT_IN_PANE_MODE, TAB_MODE,
 };
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(*fake_win_size)
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/move_focus_up.rs b/src/tests/integration/move_focus_up.rs
index 068ded52..d161ff8a 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/move_focus_up.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/move_focus_up.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 use ::insta::assert_snapshot;
 
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
     MOVE_FOCUS_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE, MOVE_FOCUS_UP_IN_PANE_MODE, PANE_MODE, QUIT,
     SPLIT_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE, SPLIT_RIGHT_IN_PANE_MODE,
 };
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(*fake_win_size)
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/resize_down.rs b/src/tests/integration/resize_down.rs
index cc4b9ec4..4ef45a06 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/resize_down.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/resize_down.rs
@@ -1,17 +1,17 @@
 use insta::assert_snapshot;
 
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
     MOVE_FOCUS_IN_PANE_MODE, PANE_MODE, QUIT, RESIZE_DOWN_IN_RESIZE_MODE,
     RESIZE_LEFT_IN_RESIZE_MODE, RESIZE_MODE, SLEEP, SPLIT_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE,
     SPLIT_RIGHT_IN_PANE_MODE,
 };
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(*fake_win_size)
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/resize_left.rs b/src/tests/integration/resize_left.rs
index c5ba5427..1b820501 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/resize_left.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/resize_left.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 use ::insta::assert_snapshot;
 
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
     MOVE_FOCUS_IN_PANE_MODE, PANE_MODE, QUIT, RESIZE_LEFT_IN_RESIZE_MODE, RESIZE_MODE,
     RESIZE_UP_IN_RESIZE_MODE, SLEEP, SPLIT_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE, SPLIT_RIGHT_IN_PANE_MODE,
 };
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(*fake_win_size)
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/resize_right.rs b/src/tests/integration/resize_right.rs
index 43409ec1..44601f2c 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/resize_right.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/resize_right.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 use ::insta::assert_snapshot;
 
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
     MOVE_FOCUS_IN_PANE_MODE, PANE_MODE, QUIT, RESIZE_MODE, RESIZE_RIGHT_IN_RESIZE_MODE,
     RESIZE_UP_IN_RESIZE_MODE, SLEEP, SPLIT_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE, SPLIT_RIGHT_IN_PANE_MODE,
 };
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(*fake_win_size)
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/resize_up.rs b/src/tests/integration/resize_up.rs
index 200fcc6e..9aca8d5a 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/resize_up.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/resize_up.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 use ::insta::assert_snapshot;
 
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
     MOVE_FOCUS_IN_PANE_MODE, PANE_MODE, QUIT, RESIZE_LEFT_IN_RESIZE_MODE, RESIZE_MODE,
     RESIZE_UP_IN_RESIZE_MODE, SLEEP, SPLIT_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE, SPLIT_RIGHT_IN_PANE_MODE,
 };
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(*fake_win_size)
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/tabs.rs b/src/tests/integration/tabs.rs
index 0995d16c..90f82c6d 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/tabs.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/tabs.rs
@@ -2,16 +2,17 @@ use insta::assert_snapshot;
 
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
+use crate::tests::utils::commands::CLOSE_PANE_IN_PANE_MODE;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
-use crate::{panes::PositionAndSize, tests::utils::commands::CLOSE_PANE_IN_PANE_MODE};
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
     CLOSE_TAB_IN_TAB_MODE, NEW_TAB_IN_TAB_MODE, PANE_MODE, QUIT, SPLIT_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE,
     SWITCH_NEXT_TAB_IN_TAB_MODE, SWITCH_PREV_TAB_IN_TAB_MODE, TAB_MODE,
     TOGGLE_ACTIVE_TERMINAL_FULLSCREEN_IN_PANE_MODE,
 };
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(*fake_win_size)
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/terminal_window_resize.rs b/src/tests/integration/terminal_window_resize.rs
index 2e56300f..2be41c3a 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/terminal_window_resize.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/terminal_window_resize.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,12 @@
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use ::insta::assert_snapshot;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::QUIT;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(fake_win_size.clone())
diff --git a/src/tests/integration/toggle_fullscreen.rs b/src/tests/integration/toggle_fullscreen.rs
index 00d98170..80257982 100644
--- a/src/tests/integration/toggle_fullscreen.rs
+++ b/src/tests/integration/toggle_fullscreen.rs
@@ -1,16 +1,16 @@
 use insta::assert_snapshot;
 
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use crate::tests::fakes::FakeInputOutput;
 use crate::tests::start;
 use crate::tests::utils::{get_next_to_last_snapshot, get_output_frame_snapshots};
 use crate::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
 use crate::tests::utils::commands::{
     MOVE_FOCUS_IN_PANE_MODE, PANE_MODE, QUIT, SPLIT_DOWN_IN_PANE_MODE, SPLIT_RIGHT_IN_PANE_MODE,
     TOGGLE_ACTIVE_TERMINAL_FULLSCREEN_IN_PANE_MODE,
 };
+use zellij_utils::input::config::Config;
 
 fn get_fake_os_input(fake_win_size: &PositionAndSize) -> FakeInputOutput {
     FakeInputOutput::new(*fake_win_size)
diff --git a/src/tests/mod.rs b/src/tests/mod.rs
index 7aaad79f..3e548db7 100644
--- a/src/tests/mod.rs
+++ b/src/tests/mod.rs
@@ -4,12 +4,10 @@ pub mod possible_tty_inputs;
 pub mod tty_inputs;
 pub mod utils;
 
-use crate::cli::CliArgs;
-use crate::client::start_client;
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
-use crate::os_input_output::{ClientOsApi, ServerOsApi};
-use crate::server::start_server;
 use std::path::PathBuf;
+use zellij_client::{os_input_output::ClientOsApi, start_client};
+use zellij_server::{os_input_output::ServerOsApi, start_server};
+use zellij_utils::{cli::CliArgs, input::config::Config};
 
 pub fn start(
     client_os_input: Box<dyn ClientOsApi>,
diff --git a/src/tests/utils.rs b/src/tests/utils.rs
index f01c1ac5..441f9bce 100644
--- a/src/tests/utils.rs
+++ b/src/tests/utils.rs
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
-use crate::panes::TerminalPane;
+use zellij_server::{panes::TerminalPane, tab::Pane};
+use zellij_tile::data::Palette;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
 pub fn get_output_frame_snapshots(
     output_frames: &[Vec<u8>],
@@ -7,7 +8,7 @@ pub fn get_output_frame_snapshots(
 ) -> Vec<String> {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
     let main_pid = 0;
-    let mut terminal_output = TerminalPane::new(main_pid, *win_size);
+    let mut terminal_output = TerminalPane::new(main_pid, *win_size, Palette::default());
 
     let mut snapshots = vec![];
     for frame in output_frames.iter() {
diff --git a/zellij-client/Cargo.toml b/zellij-client/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..5d7efddd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zellij-client/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+[package]
+name = "zellij-client"
+version = "0.12.0"
+authors = ["Kunal Mohan <kunalmohan99@gmail.com>"]
+edition = "2018"
+description = "The client-side library for Zellij"
+license = "MIT"
+
+# See more keys and their definitions at https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/reference/manifest.html
+
+[dependencies]
+zellij-utils = { path = "../zellij-utils/", version = "0.12.0" }
+zellij-tile = { path = "../zellij-tile/", version = "0.12.0" }
+termion = "1.5.0"
+signal-hook = "0.3"
+nix = "0.19.1"
+interprocess = "1.1.1"
+libc = "0.2"
+termbg = "0.2.0"
+
+[features]
+test = ["zellij-utils/test"]
diff --git a/src/common/command_is_executing.rs b/zellij-client/src/command_is_executing.rs
index ad032557..3d672d9a 100644
--- a/src/common/command_is_executing.rs
+++ b/zellij-client/src/command_is_executing.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@
 use std::sync::{Arc, Condvar, Mutex};
 
 #[derive(Clone)]
-pub struct CommandIsExecuting {
+pub(crate) struct CommandIsExecuting {
     input_thread: Arc<(Mutex<bool>, Condvar)>,
 }
 
diff --git a/src/common/input/handler.rs b/zellij-client/src/input_handler.rs
index 4ac2cf83..e67bdf82 100644
--- a/src/common/input/handler.rs
+++ b/zellij-client/src/input_handler.rs
@@ -1,17 +1,15 @@
 //! Main input logic.
 
-use super::actions::Action;
-use super::keybinds::Keybinds;
-use crate::client::ClientInstruction;
-use crate::common::input::config::Config;
-use crate::common::ipc::ClientToServerMsg;
-use crate::common::thread_bus::{SenderWithContext, OPENCALLS};
-use crate::errors::ContextType;
-use crate::os_input_output::ClientOsApi;
-use crate::CommandIsExecuting;
+use crate::{os_input_output::ClientOsApi, ClientInstruction, CommandIsExecuting};
+use zellij_utils::{
+    channels::{SenderWithContext, OPENCALLS},
+    errors::ContextType,
+    input::{actions::Action, cast_termion_key, config::Config, keybinds::Keybinds},
+    ipc::ClientToServerMsg,
+};
 
-use termion::input::{TermRead, TermReadEventsAndRaw};
-use zellij_tile::data::{InputMode, Key, ModeInfo, Palette, PluginCapabilities};
+use termion::input::TermReadEventsAndRaw;
+use zellij_tile::data::{InputMode, Key};
 
 /// Handles the dispatching of [`Action`]s according to the current
 /// [`InputMode`], and keep tracks of the current [`InputMode`].
@@ -172,55 +170,9 @@ impl InputHandler {
     }
 }
 
-/// Creates a [`Help`] struct indicating the current [`InputMode`] and its keybinds
-/// (as pairs of [`String`]s).
-// TODO this should probably be automatically generated in some way
-pub fn get_mode_info(
-    mode: InputMode,
-    palette: Palette,
-    capabilities: PluginCapabilities,
-) -> ModeInfo {
-    let mut keybinds: Vec<(String, String)> = vec![];
-    match mode {
-        InputMode::Normal | InputMode::Locked => {}
-        InputMode::Resize => {
-            keybinds.push(("←↓↑→".to_string(), "Resize".to_string()));
-        }
-        InputMode::Pane => {
-            keybinds.push(("←↓↑→".to_string(), "Move focus".to_string()));
-            keybinds.push(("p".to_string(), "Next".to_string()));
-            keybinds.push(("n".to_string(), "New".to_string()));
-            keybinds.push(("d".to_string(), "Down split".to_string()));
-            keybinds.push(("r".to_string(), "Right split".to_string()));
-            keybinds.push(("x".to_string(), "Close".to_string()));
-            keybinds.push(("f".to_string(), "Fullscreen".to_string()));
-        }
-        InputMode::Tab => {
-            keybinds.push(("←↓↑→".to_string(), "Move focus".to_string()));
-            keybinds.push(("n".to_string(), "New".to_string()));
-            keybinds.push(("x".to_string(), "Close".to_string()));
-            keybinds.push(("r".to_string(), "Rename".to_string()));
-            keybinds.push(("s".to_string(), "Sync".to_string()));
-        }
-        InputMode::Scroll => {
-            keybinds.push(("↓↑".to_string(), "Scroll".to_string()));
-            keybinds.push(("PgUp/PgDn".to_string(), "Scroll Page".to_string()));
-        }
-        InputMode::RenameTab => {
-            keybinds.push(("Enter".to_string(), "when done".to_string()));
-        }
-    }
-    ModeInfo {
-        mode,
-        keybinds,
-        palette,
-        capabilities,
-    }
-}
-
 /// Entry point to the module. Instantiates an [`InputHandler`] and starts
 /// its [`InputHandler::handle_input()`] loop.
-pub fn input_loop(
+pub(crate) fn input_loop(
     os_input: Box<dyn ClientOsApi>,
     config: Config,
     command_is_executing: CommandIsExecuting,
@@ -234,35 +186,3 @@ pub fn input_loop(
     )
     .handle_input();
 }
-
-pub fn parse_keys(input_bytes: &[u8]) -> Vec<Key> {
-    input_bytes.keys().flatten().map(cast_termion_key).collect()
-}
-
-// FIXME: This is an absolutely cursed function that should be destroyed as soon
-// as an alternative that doesn't touch zellij-tile can be developed...
-fn cast_termion_key(event: termion::event::Key) -> Key {
-    match event {
-        termion::event::Key::Backspace => Key::Backspace,
-        termion::event::Key::Left => Key::Left,
-        termion::event::Key::Right => Key::Right,
-        termion::event::Key::Up => Key::Up,
-        termion::event::Key::Down => Key::Down,
-        termion::event::Key::Home => Key::Home,
-        termion::event::Key::End => Key::End,
-        termion::event::Key::PageUp => Key::PageUp,
-        termion::event::Key::PageDown => Key::PageDown,
-        termion::event::Key::BackTab => Key::BackTab,
-        termion::event::Key::Delete => Key::Delete,
-        termion::event::Key::Insert => Key::Insert,
-        termion::event::Key::F(n) => Key::F(n),
-        termion::event::Key::Char(c) => Key::Char(c),
-        termion::event::Key::Alt(c) => Key::Alt(c),
-        termion::event::Key::Ctrl(c) => Key::Ctrl(c),
-        termion::event::Key::Null => Key::Null,
-        termion::event::Key::Esc => Key::Esc,
-        _ => {
-            unimplemented!("Encountered an unknown key!")
-        }
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/client/mod.rs b/zellij-client/src/lib.rs
index f148a50a..9deb415e 100644
--- a/src/client/mod.rs
+++ b/zellij-client/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,7 @@
-pub mod boundaries;
-pub mod layout;
-pub mod pane_resizer;
-pub mod panes;
-pub mod tab;
+pub mod os_input_output;
+
+mod command_is_executing;
+mod input_handler;
 
 use std::env::current_exe;
 use std::io::{self, Write};
@@ -11,22 +10,23 @@ use std::process::Command;
 use std::sync::mpsc;
 use std::thread;
 
-use crate::cli::CliArgs;
-use crate::common::{
-    command_is_executing::CommandIsExecuting,
-    errors::ContextType,
+use crate::{
+    command_is_executing::CommandIsExecuting, input_handler::input_loop,
+    os_input_output::ClientOsApi,
+};
+use zellij_utils::cli::CliArgs;
+use zellij_utils::{
+    channels::{SenderType, SenderWithContext, SyncChannelWithContext},
+    consts::ZELLIJ_IPC_PIPE,
+    errors::{ClientContext, ContextType, ErrorInstruction},
     input::config::Config,
-    input::handler::input_loop,
     input::options::Options,
-    ipc::{ClientToServerMsg, ServerToClientMsg},
-    os_input_output::ClientOsApi,
-    thread_bus::{SenderType, SenderWithContext, SyncChannelWithContext},
-    utils::consts::ZELLIJ_IPC_PIPE,
+    ipc::{ClientAttributes, ClientToServerMsg, ServerToClientMsg},
 };
 
-/// Instructions related to the client-side application and sent from server to client
+/// Instructions related to the client-side application
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
-pub enum ClientInstruction {
+pub(crate) enum ClientInstruction {
     Error(String),
     Render(Option<String>),
     UnblockInputThread,
@@ -45,6 +45,24 @@ impl From<ServerToClientMsg> for ClientInstruction {
     }
 }
 
+impl From<&ClientInstruction> for ClientContext {
+    fn from(client_instruction: &ClientInstruction) -> Self {
+        match *client_instruction {
+            ClientInstruction::Exit => ClientContext::Exit,
+            ClientInstruction::Error(_) => ClientContext::Error,
+            ClientInstruction::ServerError(_) => ClientContext::ServerError,
+            ClientInstruction::Render(_) => ClientContext::Render,
+            ClientInstruction::UnblockInputThread => ClientContext::UnblockInputThread,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl ErrorInstruction for ClientInstruction {
+    fn error(err: String) -> Self {
+        ClientInstruction::Error(err)
+    }
+}
+
 fn spawn_server(socket_path: &Path) -> io::Result<()> {
     let status = Command::new(current_exe()?)
         .arg("--server")
@@ -67,6 +85,7 @@ pub fn start_client(mut os_input: Box<dyn ClientOsApi>, opts: CliArgs, config: C
     let take_snapshot = "\u{1b}[?1049h";
     let bracketed_paste = "\u{1b}[?2004h";
     os_input.unset_raw_mode(0);
+    let palette = os_input.load_palette();
     let _ = os_input
         .get_stdout_writer()
         .write(take_snapshot.as_bytes())
@@ -77,7 +96,7 @@ pub fn start_client(mut os_input: Box<dyn ClientOsApi>, opts: CliArgs, config: C
         .unwrap();
     std::env::set_var(&"ZELLIJ", "0");
 
-    #[cfg(not(test))]
+    #[cfg(not(any(feature = "test", test)))]
     spawn_server(&*ZELLIJ_IPC_PIPE).unwrap();
 
     let mut command_is_executing = CommandIsExecuting::new();
@@ -85,9 +104,13 @@ pub fn start_client(mut os_input: Box<dyn ClientOsApi>, opts: CliArgs, config: C
     let config_options = Options::from_cli(&config.options, opts.option.clone());
 
     let full_screen_ws = os_input.get_terminal_size_using_fd(0);
+    let client_attributes = ClientAttributes {
+        position_and_size: full_screen_ws,
+        palette,
+    };
     os_input.connect_to_server(&*ZELLIJ_IPC_PIPE);
     os_input.send_to_server(ClientToServerMsg::NewClient(
-        full_screen_ws,
+        client_attributes,
         Box::new(opts),
         Box::new(config_options),
     ));
@@ -103,9 +126,9 @@ pub fn start_client(mut os_input: Box<dyn ClientOsApi>, opts: CliArgs, config: C
     let send_client_instructions =
         SenderWithContext::new(SenderType::SyncSender(send_client_instructions));
 
-    #[cfg(not(test))]
+    #[cfg(not(any(feature = "test", test)))]
     std::panic::set_hook({
-        use crate::errors::handle_panic;
+        use zellij_utils::errors::handle_panic;
         let send_client_instructions = send_client_instructions.clone();
         Box::new(move |info| {
             handle_panic(info, &send_client_instructions);
diff --git a/zellij-client/src/os_input_output.rs b/zellij-client/src/os_input_output.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..02a516e8
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zellij-client/src/os_input_output.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,188 @@
+use interprocess::local_socket::LocalSocketStream;
+use nix::pty::Winsize;
+use nix::sys::termios;
+use signal_hook::{consts::signal::*, iterator::Signals};
+use std::io;
+use std::io::prelude::*;
+use std::os::unix::io::RawFd;
+use std::path::Path;
+use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
+use zellij_tile::data::{Palette, PaletteColor};
+use zellij_utils::errors::ErrorContext;
+use zellij_utils::ipc::{
+    ClientToServerMsg, IpcReceiverWithContext, IpcSenderWithContext, ServerToClientMsg,
+};
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
+use zellij_utils::shared::default_palette;
+
+fn into_raw_mode(pid: RawFd) {
+    let mut tio = termios::tcgetattr(pid).expect("could not get terminal attribute");
+    termios::cfmakeraw(&mut tio);
+    match termios::tcsetattr(pid, termios::SetArg::TCSANOW, &tio) {
+        Ok(_) => {}
+        Err(e) => panic!("error {:?}", e),
+    };
+}
+
+fn unset_raw_mode(pid: RawFd, orig_termios: termios::Termios) {
+    match termios::tcsetattr(pid, termios::SetArg::TCSANOW, &orig_termios) {
+        Ok(_) => {}
+        Err(e) => panic!("error {:?}", e),
+    };
+}
+
+pub(crate) fn get_terminal_size_using_fd(fd: RawFd) -> PositionAndSize {
+    // TODO: do this with the nix ioctl
+    use libc::ioctl;
+    use libc::TIOCGWINSZ;
+
+    let mut winsize = Winsize {
+        ws_row: 0,
+        ws_col: 0,
+        ws_xpixel: 0,
+        ws_ypixel: 0,
+    };
+
+    unsafe { ioctl(fd, TIOCGWINSZ, &mut winsize) };
+    PositionAndSize::from(winsize)
+}
+
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct ClientOsInputOutput {
+    orig_termios: Arc<Mutex<termios::Termios>>,
+    send_instructions_to_server: Arc<Mutex<Option<IpcSenderWithContext<ClientToServerMsg>>>>,
+    receive_instructions_from_server: Arc<Mutex<Option<IpcReceiverWithContext<ServerToClientMsg>>>>,
+}
+
+/// The `ClientOsApi` trait represents an abstract interface to the features of an operating system that
+/// Zellij client requires.
+pub trait ClientOsApi: Send + Sync {
+    /// Returns the size of the terminal associated to file descriptor `fd`.
+    fn get_terminal_size_using_fd(&self, fd: RawFd) -> PositionAndSize;
+    /// Set the terminal associated to file descriptor `fd` to
+    /// [raw mode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_mode).
+    fn set_raw_mode(&mut self, fd: RawFd);
+    /// Set the terminal associated to file descriptor `fd` to
+    /// [cooked mode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_mode).
+    fn unset_raw_mode(&self, fd: RawFd);
+    /// Returns the writer that allows writing to standard output.
+    fn get_stdout_writer(&self) -> Box<dyn io::Write>;
+    /// Returns the raw contents of standard input.
+    fn read_from_stdin(&self) -> Vec<u8>;
+    /// Returns a [`Box`] pointer to this [`ClientOsApi`] struct.
+    fn box_clone(&self) -> Box<dyn ClientOsApi>;
+    /// Sends a message to the server.
+    fn send_to_server(&self, msg: ClientToServerMsg);
+    /// Receives a message on client-side IPC channel
+    // This should be called from the client-side router thread only.
+    fn recv_from_server(&self) -> (ServerToClientMsg, ErrorContext);
+    fn handle_signals(&self, sigwinch_cb: Box<dyn Fn()>, quit_cb: Box<dyn Fn()>);
+    /// Establish a connection with the server socket.
+    fn connect_to_server(&self, path: &Path);
+    fn load_palette(&self) -> Palette;
+}
+
+impl ClientOsApi for ClientOsInputOutput {
+    fn get_terminal_size_using_fd(&self, fd: RawFd) -> PositionAndSize {
+        get_terminal_size_using_fd(fd)
+    }
+    fn set_raw_mode(&mut self, fd: RawFd) {
+        into_raw_mode(fd);
+    }
+    fn unset_raw_mode(&self, fd: RawFd) {
+        let orig_termios = self.orig_termios.lock().unwrap();
+        unset_raw_mode(fd, orig_termios.clone());
+    }
+    fn box_clone(&self) -> Box<dyn ClientOsApi> {
+        Box::new((*self).clone())
+    }
+    fn read_from_stdin(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
+        let stdin = std::io::stdin();
+        let mut stdin = stdin.lock();
+        let buffer = stdin.fill_buf().unwrap();
+        let length = buffer.len();
+        let read_bytes = Vec::from(buffer);
+        stdin.consume(length);
+        read_bytes
+    }
+    fn get_stdout_writer(&self) -> Box<dyn io::Write> {
+        let stdout = ::std::io::stdout();
+        Box::new(stdout)
+    }
+    fn send_to_server(&self, msg: ClientToServerMsg) {
+        self.send_instructions_to_server
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap()
+            .as_mut()
+            .unwrap()
+            .send(msg);
+    }
+    fn recv_from_server(&self) -> (ServerToClientMsg, ErrorContext) {
+        self.receive_instructions_from_server
+            .lock()
+            .unwrap()
+            .as_mut()
+            .unwrap()
+            .recv()
+    }
+    fn handle_signals(&self, sigwinch_cb: Box<dyn Fn()>, quit_cb: Box<dyn Fn()>) {
+        let mut signals = Signals::new(&[SIGWINCH, SIGTERM, SIGINT, SIGQUIT, SIGHUP]).unwrap();
+        for signal in signals.forever() {
+            match signal {
+                SIGWINCH => {
+                    sigwinch_cb();
+                }
+                SIGTERM | SIGINT | SIGQUIT | SIGHUP => {
+                    quit_cb();
+                    break;
+                }
+                _ => unreachable!(),
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    fn connect_to_server(&self, path: &Path) {
+        let socket;
+        loop {
+            match LocalSocketStream::connect(path) {
+                Ok(sock) => {
+                    socket = sock;
+                    break;
+                }
+                Err(_) => {
+                    std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(50));
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        let sender = IpcSenderWithContext::new(socket);
+        let receiver = sender.get_receiver();
+        *self.send_instructions_to_server.lock().unwrap() = Some(sender);
+        *self.receive_instructions_from_server.lock().unwrap() = Some(receiver);
+    }
+    fn load_palette(&self) -> Palette {
+        let timeout = std::time::Duration::from_millis(100);
+        let mut palette = default_palette();
+        if let Ok(rgb) = termbg::rgb(timeout) {
+            palette.bg = PaletteColor::Rgb((rgb.r as u8, rgb.g as u8, rgb.b as u8));
+            // TODO: also dynamically get all other colors from the user's terminal
+            // this should be done in the same method (OSC ]11), but there might be other
+            // considerations here, hence using the library
+        };
+        palette
+    }
+}
+
+impl Clone for Box<dyn ClientOsApi> {
+    fn clone(&self) -> Box<dyn ClientOsApi> {
+        self.box_clone()
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn get_client_os_input() -> Result<ClientOsInputOutput, nix::Error> {
+    let current_termios = termios::tcgetattr(0)?;
+    let orig_termios = Arc::new(Mutex::new(current_termios));
+    Ok(ClientOsInputOutput {
+        orig_termios,
+        send_instructions_to_server: Arc::new(Mutex::new(None)),
+        receive_instructions_from_server: Arc::new(Mutex::new(None)),
+    })
+}
diff --git a/zellij-server/Cargo.toml b/zellij-server/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..97930c75
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zellij-server/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,37 @@
+[package]
+name = "zellij-server"
+version = "0.12.0"
+authors = ["Kunal Mohan <kunalmohan99@gmail.com>"]
+edition = "2018"
+description = "The server-side library for Zellij"
+license = "MIT"
+
+# See more keys and their definitions at https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/reference/manifest.html
+
+[dependencies]
+serde = { version = "1.0", features = ["derive"] }
+wasmer = "1.0.0"
+wasmer-wasi = "1.0.0"
+zellij-tile = { path = "../zellij-tile/", version = "0.12.0" }
+zellij-utils = { path = "../zellij-utils/", version = "0.12.0" }
+vte = "0.10.1"
+unicode-width = "0.1.8"
+ansi_term = "0.12.1"
+serde_yaml = "0.8"
+nix = "0.19.1"
+termion = "1.5.0"
+signal-hook = "0.3"
+libc = "0.2"
+serde_json = "1.0"
+daemonize = "0.4.1"
+interprocess = "1.1.1"
+
+[dependencies.async-std]
+version = "1.3.0"
+features = ["unstable"]
+
+[dev-dependencies]
+insta = "1.6.0"
+
+[features]
+test = ["zellij-utils/test"]
diff --git a/src/server/mod.rs b/zellij-server/src/lib.rs
index 12cc2229..8d82313d 100644
--- a/src/server/mod.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/lib.rs
@@ -1,4 +1,13 @@
-pub mod route;
+pub mod os_input_output;
+pub mod panes;
+pub mod tab;
+
+mod pty;
+mod route;
+mod screen;
+mod thread_bus;
+mod ui;
+mod wasm_vm;
 
 use std::sync::{Arc, RwLock};
 use std::thread;
@@ -6,28 +15,28 @@ use std::{path::PathBuf, sync::mpsc};
 use wasmer::Store;
 use zellij_tile::data::PluginCapabilities;
 
-use crate::cli::CliArgs;
-use crate::common::thread_bus::{Bus, ThreadSenders};
-use crate::common::{
-    errors::ContextType,
-    input::options::Options,
-    ipc::{ClientToServerMsg, ServerToClientMsg},
+use crate::{
     os_input_output::ServerOsApi,
     pty::{pty_thread_main, Pty, PtyInstruction},
     screen::{screen_thread_main, ScreenInstruction},
-    setup::{get_default_data_dir, install::populate_data_dir},
-    thread_bus::{ChannelWithContext, SenderType, SenderWithContext, SyncChannelWithContext},
+    thread_bus::{Bus, ThreadSenders},
+    ui::layout::Layout,
     wasm_vm::{wasm_thread_main, PluginInstruction},
 };
-use crate::layout::Layout;
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use route::route_thread_main;
+use zellij_utils::{
+    channels::{ChannelWithContext, SenderType, SenderWithContext, SyncChannelWithContext},
+    cli::CliArgs,
+    errors::{ContextType, ErrorInstruction, ServerContext},
+    input::options::Options,
+    ipc::{ClientAttributes, ClientToServerMsg, ServerToClientMsg},
+    setup::{get_default_data_dir, install::populate_data_dir},
+};
 
-/// Instructions related to server-side application including the
-/// ones sent by client to server
+/// Instructions related to server-side application
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
-pub enum ServerInstruction {
-    NewClient(PositionAndSize, Box<CliArgs>, Box<Options>),
+pub(crate) enum ServerInstruction {
+    NewClient(ClientAttributes, Box<CliArgs>, Box<Options>),
     Render(Option<String>),
     UnblockInputThread,
     ClientExit,
@@ -46,7 +55,25 @@ impl From<ClientToServerMsg> for ServerInstruction {
     }
 }
 
-pub struct SessionMetaData {
+impl From<&ServerInstruction> for ServerContext {
+    fn from(server_instruction: &ServerInstruction) -> Self {
+        match *server_instruction {
+            ServerInstruction::NewClient(..) => ServerContext::NewClient,
+            ServerInstruction::Render(_) => ServerContext::Render,
+            ServerInstruction::UnblockInputThread => ServerContext::UnblockInputThread,
+            ServerInstruction::ClientExit => ServerContext::ClientExit,
+            ServerInstruction::Error(_) => ServerContext::Error,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+impl ErrorInstruction for ServerInstruction {
+    fn error(err: String) -> Self {
+        ServerInstruction::Error(err)
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) struct SessionMetaData {
     pub senders: ThreadSenders,
     pub capabilities: PluginCapabilities,
     screen_thread: Option<thread::JoinHandle<()>>,
@@ -66,9 +93,9 @@ impl Drop for SessionMetaData {
 }
 
 pub fn start_server(os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>, socket_path: PathBuf) {
-    #[cfg(not(test))]
+    #[cfg(not(any(feature = "test", test)))]
     daemonize::Daemonize::new()
-        .working_directory(std::env::var("HOME").unwrap())
+        .working_directory(std::env::current_dir().unwrap())
         .umask(0o077)
         .start()
         .expect("could not daemonize the server process");
@@ -80,16 +107,16 @@ pub fn start_server(os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>, socket_path: PathBuf) {
     let to_server = SenderWithContext::new(SenderType::SyncSender(to_server));
     let sessions: Arc<RwLock<Option<SessionMetaData>>> = Arc::new(RwLock::new(None));
 
-    #[cfg(not(test))]
+    #[cfg(not(any(feature = "test", test)))]
     std::panic::set_hook({
-        use crate::errors::handle_panic;
+        use zellij_utils::errors::handle_panic;
         let to_server = to_server.clone();
         Box::new(move |info| {
             handle_panic(info, &to_server);
         })
     });
 
-    #[cfg(test)]
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "test", test))]
     thread::Builder::new()
         .name("server_router".to_string())
         .spawn({
@@ -100,12 +127,12 @@ pub fn start_server(os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>, socket_path: PathBuf) {
             move || route_thread_main(sessions, os_input, to_server)
         })
         .unwrap();
-    #[cfg(not(test))]
+    #[cfg(not(any(feature = "test", test)))]
     let _ = thread::Builder::new()
         .name("server_listener".to_string())
         .spawn({
-            use crate::common::os_input_output::set_permissions;
             use interprocess::local_socket::LocalSocketListener;
+            use zellij_utils::shared::set_permissions;
 
             let os_input = os_input.clone();
             let sessions = sessions.clone();
@@ -145,13 +172,13 @@ pub fn start_server(os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>, socket_path: PathBuf) {
         let (instruction, mut err_ctx) = server_receiver.recv().unwrap();
         err_ctx.add_call(ContextType::IPCServer((&instruction).into()));
         match instruction {
-            ServerInstruction::NewClient(full_screen_ws, opts, config_options) => {
+            ServerInstruction::NewClient(client_attributes, opts, config_options) => {
                 let session_data = init_session(
                     os_input.clone(),
                     opts,
                     config_options,
                     to_server.clone(),
-                    full_screen_ws,
+                    client_attributes,
                 );
                 *sessions.write().unwrap() = Some(session_data);
                 sessions
@@ -180,7 +207,7 @@ pub fn start_server(os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>, socket_path: PathBuf) {
             }
         }
     }
-    #[cfg(not(test))]
+    #[cfg(not(any(feature = "test", test)))]
     drop(std::fs::remove_file(&socket_path));
 }
 
@@ -189,7 +216,7 @@ fn init_session(
     opts: Box<CliArgs>,
     config_options: Box<Options>,
     to_server: SenderWithContext<ServerInstruction>,
-    full_screen_ws: PositionAndSize,
+    client_attributes: ClientAttributes,
 ) -> SessionMetaData {
     let (to_screen, screen_receiver): ChannelWithContext<ScreenInstruction> = mpsc::channel();
     let to_screen = SenderWithContext::new(SenderType::Sender(to_screen));
@@ -210,9 +237,9 @@ fn init_session(
     };
 
     // Don't use default layouts in tests, but do everywhere else
-    #[cfg(not(test))]
+    #[cfg(not(any(feature = "test", test)))]
     let default_layout = Some(PathBuf::from("default"));
-    #[cfg(test)]
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "test", test))]
     let default_layout = None;
     let layout_path = opts.layout_path;
     let maybe_layout = opts
@@ -255,7 +282,7 @@ fn init_session(
             let max_panes = opts.max_panes;
 
             move || {
-                screen_thread_main(screen_bus, max_panes, full_screen_ws, config_options);
+                screen_thread_main(screen_bus, max_panes, client_attributes, config_options);
             }
         })
         .unwrap();
diff --git a/src/common/os_input_output.rs b/zellij-server/src/os_input_output.rs
index adde6fdf..1fef826b 100644
--- a/src/common/os_input_output.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/os_input_output.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,3 @@
-use crate::common::ipc::{
-    ClientToServerMsg, IpcReceiverWithContext, IpcSenderWithContext, ServerToClientMsg,
-};
-use crate::errors::ErrorContext;
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
-use crate::utils::shared::default_palette;
 use interprocess::local_socket::LocalSocketStream;
 use nix::fcntl::{fcntl, FcntlArg, OFlag};
 use nix::pty::{forkpty, Winsize};
@@ -11,56 +5,20 @@ use nix::sys::signal::{kill, Signal};
 use nix::sys::termios;
 use nix::sys::wait::waitpid;
 use nix::unistd::{self, ForkResult, Pid};
-use signal_hook::{consts::signal::*, iterator::Signals};
-use std::io::prelude::*;
-use std::os::unix::{fs::PermissionsExt, io::RawFd};
-use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
+use signal_hook::consts::*;
+use std::env;
+use std::os::unix::io::RawFd;
+use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::process::{Child, Command};
 use std::sync::{Arc, Mutex};
-use std::{env, fs, io};
 use zellij_tile::data::Palette;
+use zellij_utils::errors::ErrorContext;
+use zellij_utils::ipc::{
+    ClientToServerMsg, IpcReceiverWithContext, IpcSenderWithContext, ServerToClientMsg,
+};
+use zellij_utils::shared::default_palette;
 
-const UNIX_PERMISSIONS: u32 = 0o700;
-
-pub fn set_permissions(path: &Path) -> io::Result<()> {
-    let mut permissions = fs::metadata(path)?.permissions();
-    permissions.set_mode(UNIX_PERMISSIONS);
-    fs::set_permissions(path, permissions)
-}
-
-fn into_raw_mode(pid: RawFd) {
-    let mut tio = termios::tcgetattr(pid).expect("could not get terminal attribute");
-    termios::cfmakeraw(&mut tio);
-    match termios::tcsetattr(pid, termios::SetArg::TCSANOW, &tio) {
-        Ok(_) => {}
-        Err(e) => panic!("error {:?}", e),
-    };
-}
-
-fn unset_raw_mode(pid: RawFd, orig_termios: termios::Termios) {
-    match termios::tcsetattr(pid, termios::SetArg::TCSANOW, &orig_termios) {
-        Ok(_) => {}
-        Err(e) => panic!("error {:?}", e),
-    };
-}
-
-pub fn get_terminal_size_using_fd(fd: RawFd) -> PositionAndSize {
-    // TODO: do this with the nix ioctl
-    use libc::ioctl;
-    use libc::TIOCGWINSZ;
-
-    let mut winsize = Winsize {
-        ws_row: 0,
-        ws_col: 0,
-        ws_xpixel: 0,
-        ws_ypixel: 0,
-    };
-
-    unsafe { ioctl(fd, TIOCGWINSZ, &mut winsize) };
-    PositionAndSize::from(winsize)
-}
-
-pub fn set_terminal_size_using_fd(fd: RawFd, columns: u16, rows: u16) {
+pub(crate) fn set_terminal_size_using_fd(fd: RawFd, columns: u16, rows: u16) {
     // TODO: do this with the nix ioctl
     use libc::ioctl;
     use libc::TIOCSWINSZ;
@@ -275,140 +233,12 @@ impl Clone for Box<dyn ServerOsApi> {
     }
 }
 
-pub fn get_server_os_input() -> ServerOsInputOutput {
-    let current_termios = termios::tcgetattr(0).unwrap();
+pub fn get_server_os_input() -> Result<ServerOsInputOutput, nix::Error> {
+    let current_termios = termios::tcgetattr(0)?;
     let orig_termios = Arc::new(Mutex::new(current_termios));
-    ServerOsInputOutput {
+    Ok(ServerOsInputOutput {
         orig_termios,
         receive_instructions_from_client: None,
         send_instructions_to_client: Arc::new(Mutex::new(None)),
-    }
-}
-
-#[derive(Clone)]
-pub struct ClientOsInputOutput {
-    orig_termios: Arc<Mutex<termios::Termios>>,
-    send_instructions_to_server: Arc<Mutex<Option<IpcSenderWithContext<ClientToServerMsg>>>>,
-    receive_instructions_from_server: Arc<Mutex<Option<IpcReceiverWithContext<ServerToClientMsg>>>>,
-}
-
-/// The `ClientOsApi` trait represents an abstract interface to the features of an operating system that
-/// Zellij client requires.
-pub trait ClientOsApi: Send + Sync {
-    /// Returns the size of the terminal associated to file descriptor `fd`.
-    fn get_terminal_size_using_fd(&self, fd: RawFd) -> PositionAndSize;
-    /// Set the terminal associated to file descriptor `fd` to
-    /// [raw mode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_mode).
-    fn set_raw_mode(&mut self, fd: RawFd);
-    /// Set the terminal associated to file descriptor `fd` to
-    /// [cooked mode](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terminal_mode).
-    fn unset_raw_mode(&self, fd: RawFd);
-    /// Returns the writer that allows writing to standard output.
-    fn get_stdout_writer(&self) -> Box<dyn io::Write>;
-    /// Returns the raw contents of standard input.
-    fn read_from_stdin(&self) -> Vec<u8>;
-    /// Returns a [`Box`] pointer to this [`ClientOsApi`] struct.
-    fn box_clone(&self) -> Box<dyn ClientOsApi>;
-    /// Sends a message to the server.
-    fn send_to_server(&self, msg: ClientToServerMsg);
-    /// Receives a message on client-side IPC channel
-    // This should be called from the client-side router thread only.
-    fn recv_from_server(&self) -> (ServerToClientMsg, ErrorContext);
-    fn handle_signals(&self, sigwinch_cb: Box<dyn Fn()>, quit_cb: Box<dyn Fn()>);
-    /// Establish a connection with the server socket.
-    fn connect_to_server(&self, path: &Path);
-}
-
-impl ClientOsApi for ClientOsInputOutput {
-    fn get_terminal_size_using_fd(&self, fd: RawFd) -> PositionAndSize {
-        get_terminal_size_using_fd(fd)
-    }
-    fn set_raw_mode(&mut self, fd: RawFd) {
-        into_raw_mode(fd);
-    }
-    fn unset_raw_mode(&self, fd: RawFd) {
-        let orig_termios = self.orig_termios.lock().unwrap();
-        unset_raw_mode(fd, orig_termios.clone());
-    }
-    fn box_clone(&self) -> Box<dyn ClientOsApi> {
-        Box::new((*self).clone())
-    }
-    fn read_from_stdin(&self) -> Vec<u8> {
-        let stdin = std::io::stdin();
-        let mut stdin = stdin.lock();
-        let buffer = stdin.fill_buf().unwrap();
-        let length = buffer.len();
-        let read_bytes = Vec::from(buffer);
-        stdin.consume(length);
-        read_bytes
-    }
-    fn get_stdout_writer(&self) -> Box<dyn io::Write> {
-        let stdout = ::std::io::stdout();
-        Box::new(stdout)
-    }
-    fn send_to_server(&self, msg: ClientToServerMsg) {
-        self.send_instructions_to_server
-            .lock()
-            .unwrap()
-            .as_mut()
-            .unwrap()
-            .send(msg);
-    }
-    fn recv_from_server(&self) -> (ServerToClientMsg, ErrorContext) {
-        self.receive_instructions_from_server
-            .lock()
-            .unwrap()
-            .as_mut()
-            .unwrap()
-            .recv()
-    }
-    fn handle_signals(&self, sigwinch_cb: Box<dyn Fn()>, quit_cb: Box<dyn Fn()>) {
-        let mut signals = Signals::new(&[SIGWINCH, SIGTERM, SIGINT, SIGQUIT, SIGHUP]).unwrap();
-        for signal in signals.forever() {
-            match signal {
-                SIGWINCH => {
-                    sigwinch_cb();
-                }
-                SIGTERM | SIGINT | SIGQUIT | SIGHUP => {
-                    quit_cb();
-                    break;
-                }
-                _ => unreachable!(),
-            }
-        }
-    }
-    fn connect_to_server(&self, path: &Path) {
-        let socket;
-        loop {
-            match LocalSocketStream::connect(path) {
-                Ok(sock) => {
-                    socket = sock;
-                    break;
-                }
-                Err(_) => {
-                    std::thread::sleep(std::time::Duration::from_millis(50));
-                }
-            }
-        }
-        let sender = IpcSenderWithContext::new(socket);
-        let receiver = sender.get_receiver();
-        *self.send_instructions_to_server.lock().unwrap() = Some(sender);
-        *self.receive_instructions_from_server.lock().unwrap() = Some(receiver);
-    }
-}
-
-impl Clone for Box<dyn ClientOsApi> {
-    fn clone(&self) -> Box<dyn ClientOsApi> {
-        self.box_clone()
-    }
-}
-
-pub fn get_client_os_input() -> ClientOsInputOutput {
-    let current_termios = termios::tcgetattr(0).unwrap();
-    let orig_termios = Arc::new(Mutex::new(current_termios));
-    ClientOsInputOutput {
-        orig_termios,
-        send_instructions_to_server: Arc::new(Mutex::new(None)),
-        receive_instructions_from_server: Arc::new(Mutex::new(None)),
-    }
+    })
 }
diff --git a/src/client/panes/grid.rs b/zellij-server/src/panes/grid.rs
index e51b1ed5..d9cef5de 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/grid.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/grid.rs
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@ use std::{
     cmp::Ordering,
     collections::{BTreeSet, VecDeque},
     fmt::{self, Debug, Formatter},
+    str,
 };
 
 use vte::{Params, Perform};
@@ -9,15 +10,34 @@ use vte::{Params, Perform};
 const TABSTOP_WIDTH: usize = 8; // TODO: is this always right?
 const SCROLL_BACK: usize = 10_000;
 
-use crate::utils::consts::VERSION;
-use crate::utils::logging::debug_log_to_file;
-use crate::utils::shared::version_number;
+use zellij_tile::data::{Palette, PaletteColor};
+use zellij_utils::{consts::VERSION, logging::debug_log_to_file, shared::version_number};
 
 use crate::panes::terminal_character::{
     CharacterStyles, CharsetIndex, Cursor, CursorShape, StandardCharset, TerminalCharacter,
     EMPTY_TERMINAL_CHARACTER,
 };
 
+// this was copied verbatim from alacritty
+fn parse_number(input: &[u8]) -> Option<u8> {
+    if input.is_empty() {
+        return None;
+    }
+    let mut num: u8 = 0;
+    for c in input {
+        let c = *c as char;
+        if let Some(digit) = c.to_digit(10) {
+            num = match num.checked_mul(10).and_then(|v| v.checked_add(digit as u8)) {
+                Some(v) => v,
+                None => return None,
+            }
+        } else {
+            return None;
+        }
+    }
+    Some(num)
+}
+
 fn get_top_non_canonical_rows(rows: &mut Vec<Row>) -> Vec<Row> {
     let mut index_of_last_non_canonical_row = None;
     for (i, row) in rows.iter().enumerate() {
@@ -180,6 +200,7 @@ pub struct Grid {
     scroll_region: Option<(usize, usize)>,
     active_charset: CharsetIndex,
     preceding_char: Option<TerminalCharacter>,
+    colors: Palette,
     pub should_render: bool,
     pub cursor_key_mode: bool, // DECCKM - when set, cursor keys should send ANSI direction codes (eg. "OD") instead of the arrow keys (eg. "")
     pub erasure_mode: bool,    // ERM
@@ -205,7 +226,7 @@ impl Debug for Grid {
 }
 
 impl Grid {
-    pub fn new(rows: usize, columns: usize) -> Self {
+    pub fn new(rows: usize, columns: usize, colors: Palette) -> Self {
         Grid {
             lines_above: VecDeque::with_capacity(SCROLL_BACK),
             viewport: vec![Row::new().canonical()],
@@ -226,6 +247,7 @@ impl Grid {
             clear_viewport_before_rendering: false,
             active_charset: Default::default(),
             pending_messages_to_pty: vec![],
+            colors,
         }
     }
     pub fn contains_widechar(&self) -> bool {
@@ -1013,8 +1035,139 @@ impl Perform for Grid {
         // TBD
     }
 
-    fn osc_dispatch(&mut self, _params: &[&[u8]], _bell_terminated: bool) {
-        // TBD
+    fn osc_dispatch(&mut self, params: &[&[u8]], bell_terminated: bool) {
+        let terminator = if bell_terminated { "\x07" } else { "\x1b\\" };
+
+        if params.is_empty() || params[0].is_empty() {
+            return;
+        }
+
+        match params[0] {
+            // Set window title.
+            b"0" | b"2" => {
+                if params.len() >= 2 {
+                    let _title = params[1..]
+                        .iter()
+                        .flat_map(|x| str::from_utf8(x))
+                        .collect::<Vec<&str>>()
+                        .join(";")
+                        .trim()
+                        .to_owned();
+                    // TBD: do something with title?
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Set color index.
+            b"4" => {
+                // TBD: set color index - currently unsupported
+                //
+                // this changes a terminal color index to something else
+                // meaning anything set to that index will be changed
+                // during rendering
+            }
+
+            // Get/set Foreground, Background, Cursor colors.
+            b"10" | b"11" | b"12" => {
+                if params.len() >= 2 {
+                    if let Some(mut dynamic_code) = parse_number(params[0]) {
+                        for param in &params[1..] {
+                            // currently only getting the color sequence is supported,
+                            // setting still isn't
+                            if param == b"?" {
+                                let color_response_message = match self.colors.bg {
+                                    PaletteColor::Rgb((r, g, b)) => {
+                                        format!(
+                                            "\u{1b}]{};rgb:{1:02x}{1:02x}/{2:02x}{2:02x}/{3:02x}{3:02x}{4}",
+                                            // dynamic_code, color.r, color.g, color.b, terminator
+                                            dynamic_code, r, g, b, terminator
+                                        )
+                                    }
+                                    _ => {
+                                        format!(
+                                            "\u{1b}]{};rgb:{1:02x}{1:02x}/{2:02x}{2:02x}/{3:02x}{3:02x}{4}",
+                                            // dynamic_code, color.r, color.g, color.b, terminator
+                                            dynamic_code, 0, 0, 0, terminator
+                                        )
+                                    }
+                                };
+                                self.pending_messages_to_pty
+                                    .push(color_response_message.as_bytes().to_vec());
+                            }
+                            dynamic_code += 1;
+                        }
+                        return;
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Set cursor style.
+            b"50" => {
+                if params.len() >= 2
+                    && params[1].len() >= 13
+                    && params[1][0..12] == *b"CursorShape="
+                {
+                    let shape = match params[1][12] as char {
+                        '0' => Some(CursorShape::Block),
+                        '1' => Some(CursorShape::Beam),
+                        '2' => Some(CursorShape::Underline),
+                        _ => None,
+                    };
+                    if let Some(cursor_shape) = shape {
+                        self.cursor.change_shape(cursor_shape);
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Set clipboard.
+            b"52" => {
+                if params.len() < 3 {
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                let _clipboard = params[1].get(0).unwrap_or(&b'c');
+                match params[2] {
+                    b"?" => {
+                        // TBD: paste from own clipboard - currently unsupported
+                    }
+                    _base64 => {
+                        // TBD: copy to own clipboard - currently unsupported
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Reset color index.
+            b"104" => {
+                // Reset all color indexes when no parameters are given.
+                if params.len() == 1 {
+                    // TBD - reset all color changes - currently unsupported
+                    return;
+                }
+
+                // Reset color indexes given as parameters.
+                for param in &params[1..] {
+                    if let Some(_index) = parse_number(param) {
+                        // TBD - reset color index - currently unimplemented
+                    }
+                }
+            }
+
+            // Reset foreground color.
+            b"110" => {
+                // TBD - reset foreground color - currently unimplemented
+            }
+
+            // Reset background color.
+            b"111" => {
+                // TBD - reset background color - currently unimplemented
+            }
+
+            // Reset text cursor color.
+            b"112" => {
+                // TBD - reset text cursor color - currently unimplemented
+            }
+
+            _ => {}
+        }
     }
 
     fn csi_dispatch(&mut self, params: &Params, intermediates: &[u8], _ignore: bool, c: char) {
@@ -1347,7 +1500,7 @@ impl Perform for Grid {
             }
         } else {
             let result = debug_log_to_file(format!("Unhandled csi: {}->{:?}", c, params));
-            #[cfg(not(test))]
+            #[cfg(not(any(feature = "test", test)))]
             result.unwrap();
         }
     }
@@ -1436,13 +1589,19 @@ impl Debug for Row {
     }
 }
 
-impl Row {
-    pub fn new() -> Self {
+impl Default for Row {
+    fn default() -> Self {
         Row {
             columns: vec![],
             is_canonical: false,
         }
     }
+}
+
+impl Row {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        Self::default()
+    }
     pub fn from_columns(columns: Vec<TerminalCharacter>) -> Self {
         Row {
             columns,
@@ -1528,6 +1687,9 @@ impl Row {
     pub fn len(&self) -> usize {
         self.columns.len()
     }
+    pub fn is_empty(&self) -> bool {
+        self.columns.is_empty()
+    }
     pub fn delete_character(&mut self, x: usize) {
         if x < self.columns.len() {
             self.columns.remove(x);
diff --git a/src/client/panes/mod.rs b/zellij-server/src/panes/mod.rs
index 4e7d6e80..187b364d 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/mod.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/mod.rs
@@ -4,6 +4,6 @@ mod terminal_character;
 mod terminal_pane;
 
 pub use grid::*;
-pub use plugin_pane::*;
+pub(crate) use plugin_pane::*;
 pub use terminal_character::*;
 pub use terminal_pane::*;
diff --git a/src/client/panes/plugin_pane.rs b/zellij-server/src/panes/plugin_pane.rs
index dde3cd9b..5549a388 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/plugin_pane.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/plugin_pane.rs
@@ -2,13 +2,13 @@ use std::sync::mpsc::channel;
 use std::time::Instant;
 use std::unimplemented;
 
-use crate::common::thread_bus::SenderWithContext;
-use crate::panes::{PaneId, PositionAndSize};
+use crate::panes::PaneId;
 use crate::pty::VteBytes;
 use crate::tab::Pane;
 use crate::wasm_vm::PluginInstruction;
+use zellij_utils::{channels::SenderWithContext, pane_size::PositionAndSize};
 
-pub struct PluginPane {
+pub(crate) struct PluginPane {
     pub pid: u32,
     pub should_render: bool,
     pub selectable: bool,
diff --git a/src/client/panes/terminal_character.rs b/zellij-server/src/panes/terminal_character.rs
index d2340e2e..c55569f0 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/terminal_character.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/terminal_character.rs
@@ -1,10 +1,10 @@
 use unicode_width::UnicodeWidthChar;
 
-use crate::utils::logging::debug_log_to_file;
 use std::convert::TryFrom;
 use std::fmt::{self, Debug, Display, Formatter};
 use std::ops::{Index, IndexMut};
 use vte::ParamsIter;
+use zellij_utils::logging::debug_log_to_file;
 
 pub const EMPTY_TERMINAL_CHARACTER: TerminalCharacter = TerminalCharacter {
     character: ' ',
@@ -110,9 +110,9 @@ pub struct CharacterStyles {
     pub italic: Option<AnsiCode>,
 }
 
-impl CharacterStyles {
-    pub fn new() -> Self {
-        CharacterStyles {
+impl Default for CharacterStyles {
+    fn default() -> Self {
+        Self {
             foreground: None,
             background: None,
             strike: None,
@@ -126,6 +126,12 @@ impl CharacterStyles {
             italic: None,
         }
     }
+}
+
+impl CharacterStyles {
+    pub fn new() -> Self {
+        Self::default()
+    }
     pub fn foreground(mut self, foreground_code: Option<AnsiCode>) -> Self {
         self.foreground = foreground_code;
         self
diff --git a/src/client/panes/terminal_pane.rs b/zellij-server/src/panes/terminal_pane.rs
index 5c4f55c8..eaeb0026 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/terminal_pane.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/terminal_pane.rs
@@ -1,45 +1,24 @@
 use std::fmt::Debug;
 use std::os::unix::io::RawFd;
 use std::time::Instant;
+use zellij_tile::data::Palette;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-use nix::pty::Winsize;
-use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-
-use crate::panes::grid::Grid;
-use crate::panes::terminal_character::{
-    CharacterStyles, CursorShape, TerminalCharacter, EMPTY_TERMINAL_CHARACTER,
+use crate::panes::{
+    grid::Grid,
+    terminal_character::{
+        CharacterStyles, CursorShape, TerminalCharacter, EMPTY_TERMINAL_CHARACTER,
+    },
 };
 use crate::pty::VteBytes;
 use crate::tab::Pane;
 
-#[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Ord, PartialOrd, Hash, Clone, Copy, Debug, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+#[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Ord, PartialOrd, Hash, Clone, Copy, Debug)]
 pub enum PaneId {
     Terminal(RawFd),
     Plugin(u32), // FIXME: Drop the trait object, make this a wrapper for the struct?
 }
 
-/// Contains the position and size of a [`Pane`], or more generally of any terminal, measured
-/// in character rows and columns.
-#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub struct PositionAndSize {
-    pub x: usize,
-    pub y: usize,
-    pub rows: usize,
-    pub columns: usize,
-    pub max_rows: Option<usize>,
-    pub max_columns: Option<usize>,
-}
-
-impl From<Winsize> for PositionAndSize {
-    fn from(winsize: Winsize) -> PositionAndSize {
-        PositionAndSize {
-            columns: winsize.ws_col as usize,
-            rows: winsize.ws_row as usize,
-            ..Default::default()
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 pub struct TerminalPane {
     pub grid: Grid,
     pub pid: RawFd,
@@ -49,6 +28,7 @@ pub struct TerminalPane {
     pub max_height: Option<usize>,
     pub max_width: Option<usize>,
     pub active_at: Instant,
+    pub colors: Palette,
     vte_parser: vte::Parser,
 }
 
@@ -307,8 +287,8 @@ impl Pane for TerminalPane {
 }
 
 impl TerminalPane {
-    pub fn new(pid: RawFd, position_and_size: PositionAndSize) -> TerminalPane {
-        let grid = Grid::new(position_and_size.rows, position_and_size.columns);
+    pub fn new(pid: RawFd, position_and_size: PositionAndSize, palette: Palette) -> TerminalPane {
+        let grid = Grid::new(position_and_size.rows, position_and_size.columns, palette);
         TerminalPane {
             pid,
             grid,
@@ -319,6 +299,7 @@ impl TerminalPane {
             max_width: None,
             vte_parser: vte::Parser::new(),
             active_at: Instant::now(),
+            colors: palette,
         }
     }
     pub fn get_x(&self) -> usize {
@@ -354,7 +335,7 @@ impl TerminalPane {
     pub fn read_buffer_as_lines(&self) -> Vec<Vec<TerminalCharacter>> {
         self.grid.as_character_lines()
     }
-    #[cfg(test)]
+    #[cfg(any(feature = "test", test))]
     pub fn cursor_coordinates(&self) -> Option<(usize, usize)> {
         // (x, y)
         self.grid.cursor_coordinates()
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/grid_tests.rs b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/grid_tests.rs
index 8517a975..7612a05d 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/grid_tests.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/grid_tests.rs
@@ -1,9 +1,10 @@
 use super::super::Grid;
 use ::insta::assert_snapshot;
+use zellij_tile::data::Palette;
 
 fn read_fixture(fixture_name: &str) -> Vec<u8> {
     let mut path_to_file = std::path::PathBuf::new();
-    path_to_file.push("src");
+    path_to_file.push("../src");
     path_to_file.push("tests");
     path_to_file.push("fixtures");
     path_to_file.push(fixture_name);
@@ -15,7 +16,7 @@ fn read_fixture(fixture_name: &str) -> Vec<u8> {
 #[test]
 fn vttest1_0() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest1-0";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -27,7 +28,7 @@ fn vttest1_0() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest1_1() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest1-1";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -39,7 +40,7 @@ fn vttest1_1() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest1_2() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest1-2";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -51,7 +52,7 @@ fn vttest1_2() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest1_3() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest1-3";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -63,7 +64,7 @@ fn vttest1_3() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest1_4() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest1-4";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -75,7 +76,7 @@ fn vttest1_4() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest1_5() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest1-5";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -87,7 +88,7 @@ fn vttest1_5() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_0() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-0";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -99,7 +100,7 @@ fn vttest2_0() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_1() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-1";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -111,7 +112,7 @@ fn vttest2_1() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_2() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-2";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -123,7 +124,7 @@ fn vttest2_2() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_3() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-3";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -135,7 +136,7 @@ fn vttest2_3() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_4() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-4";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -147,7 +148,7 @@ fn vttest2_4() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_5() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-5";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -159,7 +160,7 @@ fn vttest2_5() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_6() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-6";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -171,7 +172,7 @@ fn vttest2_6() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_7() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-7";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -183,7 +184,7 @@ fn vttest2_7() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_8() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-8";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -195,7 +196,7 @@ fn vttest2_8() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_9() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-9";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -207,7 +208,7 @@ fn vttest2_9() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_10() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-10";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -219,7 +220,7 @@ fn vttest2_10() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_11() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-11";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -231,7 +232,7 @@ fn vttest2_11() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_12() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-12";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -243,7 +244,7 @@ fn vttest2_12() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_13() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-13";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -255,7 +256,7 @@ fn vttest2_13() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest2_14() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest2-14";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -267,7 +268,7 @@ fn vttest2_14() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest3_0() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(41, 110, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest3-0";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -279,7 +280,7 @@ fn vttest3_0() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest8_0() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest8-0";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -291,7 +292,7 @@ fn vttest8_0() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest8_1() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest8-1";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -303,7 +304,7 @@ fn vttest8_1() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest8_2() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest8-2";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -315,7 +316,7 @@ fn vttest8_2() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest8_3() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest8-3";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -327,7 +328,7 @@ fn vttest8_3() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest8_4() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest8-4";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -339,7 +340,7 @@ fn vttest8_4() {
 #[test]
 fn vttest8_5() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "vttest8-5";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -351,7 +352,7 @@ fn vttest8_5() {
 #[test]
 fn csi_b() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "csi-b";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -363,7 +364,7 @@ fn csi_b() {
 #[test]
 fn csi_capital_i() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "csi-capital-i";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -375,7 +376,7 @@ fn csi_capital_i() {
 #[test]
 fn csi_capital_z() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "csi-capital-z";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
@@ -387,7 +388,7 @@ fn csi_capital_z() {
 #[test]
 fn terminal_reports() {
     let mut vte_parser = vte::Parser::new();
-    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97);
+    let mut grid = Grid::new(51, 97, Palette::default());
     let fixture_name = "terminal_reports";
     let content = read_fixture(fixture_name);
     for byte in content {
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__csi_b.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__csi_b.snap
index 1d0c34e5..2be051c5 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__csi_b.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__csi_b.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__csi_capital_i.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__csi_capital_i.snap
index 11f7b8f8..44026d04 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__csi_capital_i.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__csi_capital_i.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__csi_capital_z.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__csi_capital_z.snap
index 04f492b8..2411b25f 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__csi_capital_z.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__csi_capital_z.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__terminal_reports.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__terminal_reports.snap
index b2dca273..d289d93f 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__terminal_reports.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__terminal_reports.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid . pending_messages_to_pty)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_0.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_0.snap
index 8641098c..f469f2ef 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_0.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_0.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/grid.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_1.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_1.snap
index 09663484..6a43da94 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_1.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_1.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/grid.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_2.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_2.snap
index 05d80b1d..5250338a 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_2.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_2.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/grid.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_3.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_3.snap
index 64c3e7b9..f33ce414 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_3.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_3.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/grid.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_4.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_4.snap
index dcb417ae..411bcec5 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_4.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_4.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/grid.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_5.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_5.snap
index d044691c..5d16f7d6 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_5.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest1_5.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/grid.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_0.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_0.snap
index f5bd11a5..a8250e29 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_0.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_0.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_1.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_1.snap
index 148b8732..8dbcd8fe 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_1.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_1.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_10.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_10.snap
index 7cbb8545..8fddefa0 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_10.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_10.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_11.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_11.snap
index 1201290b..df92663d 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_11.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_11.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_12.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_12.snap
index fc15da63..6373f0d5 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_12.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_12.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_13.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_13.snap
index ee8e30fb..d250858f 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_13.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_13.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_14.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_14.snap
index 2bdf1956..7d86b997 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_14.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_14.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_2.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_2.snap
index 91a9a2e6..d751b7b5 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_2.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_2.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_3.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_3.snap
index c3881efb..0ee924ac 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_3.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_3.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_4.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_4.snap
index 089f3d7d..7c819279 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_4.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_4.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_5.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_5.snap
index 6cf729c1..3d14e042 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_5.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_5.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_6.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_6.snap
index 3c6a1c77..20a8aecd 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_6.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_6.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_7.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_7.snap
index 0c4c5cac..4a980ffc 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_7.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_7.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_8.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_8.snap
index 9e9ac891..413f7c8e 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_8.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_8.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_9.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_9.snap
index 852203c8..6759d124 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_9.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest2_9.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest3_0.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest3_0.snap
index 6902cf25..0f9c5ce6 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest3_0.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest3_0.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_0.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_0.snap
index 18cdd01b..86e447a9 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_0.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_0.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_1.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_1.snap
index 7618e82b..4381306b 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_1.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_1.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_2.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_2.snap
index 0873ec23..b65ed724 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_2.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_2.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_3.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_3.snap
index 049f5083..d18554a8 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_3.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_3.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_4.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_4.snap
index e7eb978f..c45da961 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_4.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_4.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_5.snap b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_5.snap
index 9b54cbc8..00b8b310 100644
--- a/src/client/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij__client__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_5.snap
+++ b/zellij-server/src/panes/unit/snapshots/zellij_server__panes__grid__grid_tests__vttest8_5.snap
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 ---
-source: src/client/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
+source: zellij-server/src/panes/./unit/grid_tests.rs
 expression: "format!(\"{:?}\", grid)"
 
 ---
diff --git a/src/common/pty.rs b/zellij-server/src/pty.rs
index 5f5442b5..373b5f0b 100644
--- a/src/common/pty.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/pty.rs
@@ -7,15 +7,19 @@ use std::path::PathBuf;
 use std::pin::*;
 use std::time::{Duration, Instant};
 
-use crate::client::panes::PaneId;
-use crate::common::errors::{get_current_ctx, ContextType};
-use crate::common::screen::ScreenInstruction;
-use crate::common::thread_bus::{Bus, ThreadSenders};
-use crate::layout::Layout;
-use crate::os_input_output::ServerOsApi;
-use crate::server::ServerInstruction;
-use crate::utils::logging::debug_to_file;
-use crate::wasm_vm::PluginInstruction;
+use crate::{
+    os_input_output::ServerOsApi,
+    panes::PaneId,
+    screen::ScreenInstruction,
+    thread_bus::{Bus, ThreadSenders},
+    ui::layout::Layout,
+    wasm_vm::PluginInstruction,
+    ServerInstruction,
+};
+use zellij_utils::{
+    errors::{get_current_ctx, ContextType, PtyContext},
+    logging::debug_to_file,
+};
 
 pub struct ReadFromPid {
     pid: RawFd,
@@ -67,7 +71,7 @@ pub type VteBytes = Vec<u8>;
 
 /// Instructions related to PTYs (pseudoterminals).
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
-pub enum PtyInstruction {
+pub(crate) enum PtyInstruction {
     SpawnTerminal(Option<PathBuf>),
     SpawnTerminalVertically(Option<PathBuf>),
     SpawnTerminalHorizontally(Option<PathBuf>),
@@ -77,14 +81,28 @@ pub enum PtyInstruction {
     Exit,
 }
 
-pub struct Pty {
+impl From<&PtyInstruction> for PtyContext {
+    fn from(pty_instruction: &PtyInstruction) -> Self {
+        match *pty_instruction {
+            PtyInstruction::SpawnTerminal(_) => PtyContext::SpawnTerminal,
+            PtyInstruction::SpawnTerminalVertically(_) => PtyContext::SpawnTerminalVertically,
+            PtyInstruction::SpawnTerminalHorizontally(_) => PtyContext::SpawnTerminalHorizontally,
+            PtyInstruction::ClosePane(_) => PtyContext::ClosePane,
+            PtyInstruction::CloseTab(_) => PtyContext::CloseTab,
+            PtyInstruction::NewTab => PtyContext::NewTab,
+            PtyInstruction::Exit => PtyContext::Exit,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+pub(crate) struct Pty {
     pub bus: Bus<PtyInstruction>,
     pub id_to_child_pid: HashMap<RawFd, RawFd>,
     debug_to_file: bool,
     task_handles: HashMap<RawFd, JoinHandle<()>>,
 }
 
-pub fn pty_thread_main(mut pty: Pty, maybe_layout: Option<Layout>) {
+pub(crate) fn pty_thread_main(mut pty: Pty, maybe_layout: Option<Layout>) {
     loop {
         let (event, mut err_ctx) = pty.bus.recv().expect("failed to receive event on channel");
         err_ctx.add_call(ContextType::Pty((&event).into()));
@@ -196,7 +214,7 @@ fn stream_terminal_bytes(
                 }
             }
             senders.send_to_screen(ScreenInstruction::Render).unwrap();
-            #[cfg(not(test))]
+            #[cfg(not(any(feature = "test", test)))]
             // this is a little hacky, and is because the tests end the file as soon as
             // we read everything, rather than hanging until there is new data
             // a better solution would be to fix the test fakes, but this will do for now
diff --git a/src/server/route.rs b/zellij-server/src/route.rs
index c435a0e6..e8ff3376 100644
--- a/src/server/route.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/route.rs
@@ -2,15 +2,18 @@ use std::sync::{Arc, RwLock};
 
 use zellij_tile::data::Event;
 
-use crate::common::input::actions::{Action, Direction};
-use crate::common::input::handler::get_mode_info;
-use crate::common::ipc::ClientToServerMsg;
-use crate::common::os_input_output::ServerOsApi;
-use crate::common::pty::PtyInstruction;
-use crate::common::screen::ScreenInstruction;
-use crate::common::thread_bus::SenderWithContext;
-use crate::common::wasm_vm::PluginInstruction;
-use crate::server::{ServerInstruction, SessionMetaData};
+use crate::{
+    os_input_output::ServerOsApi, pty::PtyInstruction, screen::ScreenInstruction,
+    wasm_vm::PluginInstruction, ServerInstruction, SessionMetaData,
+};
+use zellij_utils::{
+    channels::SenderWithContext,
+    input::{
+        actions::{Action, Direction},
+        get_mode_info,
+    },
+    ipc::ClientToServerMsg,
+};
 
 fn route_action(action: Action, session: &SessionMetaData, os_input: &dyn ServerOsApi) {
     match action {
@@ -26,6 +29,9 @@ fn route_action(action: Action, session: &SessionMetaData, os_input: &dyn Server
         }
         Action::SwitchToMode(mode) => {
             let palette = os_input.load_palette();
+            // TODO: use the palette from the client and remove it from the server os api
+            // this is left here as a stop gap measure until we shift some code around
+            // to allow for this
             session
                 .senders
                 .send_to_plugin(PluginInstruction::Update(
@@ -181,7 +187,7 @@ fn route_action(action: Action, session: &SessionMetaData, os_input: &dyn Server
     }
 }
 
-pub fn route_thread_main(
+pub(crate) fn route_thread_main(
     sessions: Arc<RwLock<Option<SessionMetaData>>>,
     mut os_input: Box<dyn ServerOsApi>,
     to_server: SenderWithContext<ServerInstruction>,
@@ -196,7 +202,9 @@ pub fn route_thread_main(
                 break;
             }
             ClientToServerMsg::Action(action) => {
-                route_action(action, rlocked_sessions.as_ref().unwrap(), &*os_input);
+                if let Some(rlocked_sessions) = rlocked_sessions.as_ref() {
+                    route_action(action, rlocked_sessions, &*os_input);
+                }
             }
             ClientToServerMsg::TerminalResize(new_size) => {
                 rlocked_sessions
diff --git a/src/common/screen.rs b/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
index d2030243..0500d296 100644
--- a/src/common/screen.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/screen.rs
@@ -4,22 +4,26 @@ use std::collections::BTreeMap;
 use std::os::unix::io::RawFd;
 use std::str;
 
-use crate::common::input::options::Options;
-use crate::common::pty::{PtyInstruction, VteBytes};
-use crate::common::thread_bus::Bus;
-use crate::errors::ContextType;
-use crate::layout::Layout;
-use crate::panes::PaneId;
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
-use crate::server::ServerInstruction;
-use crate::tab::Tab;
-use crate::wasm_vm::PluginInstruction;
-
+use crate::{
+    panes::PaneId,
+    pty::{PtyInstruction, VteBytes},
+    tab::Tab,
+    thread_bus::Bus,
+    ui::layout::Layout,
+    wasm_vm::PluginInstruction,
+    ServerInstruction,
+};
 use zellij_tile::data::{Event, InputMode, ModeInfo, Palette, PluginCapabilities, TabInfo};
+use zellij_utils::{
+    errors::{ContextType, ScreenContext},
+    input::options::Options,
+    ipc::ClientAttributes,
+    pane_size::PositionAndSize,
+};
 
 /// Instructions that can be sent to the [`Screen`].
 #[derive(Debug, Clone)]
-pub enum ScreenInstruction {
+pub(crate) enum ScreenInstruction {
     PtyBytes(RawFd, VteBytes),
     Render,
     NewPane(PaneId),
@@ -63,9 +67,61 @@ pub enum ScreenInstruction {
     ChangeMode(ModeInfo),
 }
 
+impl From<&ScreenInstruction> for ScreenContext {
+    fn from(screen_instruction: &ScreenInstruction) -> Self {
+        match *screen_instruction {
+            ScreenInstruction::PtyBytes(..) => ScreenContext::HandlePtyBytes,
+            ScreenInstruction::Render => ScreenContext::Render,
+            ScreenInstruction::NewPane(_) => ScreenContext::NewPane,
+            ScreenInstruction::HorizontalSplit(_) => ScreenContext::HorizontalSplit,
+            ScreenInstruction::VerticalSplit(_) => ScreenContext::VerticalSplit,
+            ScreenInstruction::WriteCharacter(_) => ScreenContext::WriteCharacter,
+            ScreenInstruction::ResizeLeft => ScreenContext::ResizeLeft,
+            ScreenInstruction::ResizeRight => ScreenContext::ResizeRight,
+            ScreenInstruction::ResizeDown => ScreenContext::ResizeDown,
+            ScreenInstruction::ResizeUp => ScreenContext::ResizeUp,
+            ScreenInstruction::SwitchFocus => ScreenContext::SwitchFocus,
+            ScreenInstruction::FocusNextPane => ScreenContext::FocusNextPane,
+            ScreenInstruction::FocusPreviousPane => ScreenContext::FocusPreviousPane,
+            ScreenInstruction::MoveFocusLeft => ScreenContext::MoveFocusLeft,
+            ScreenInstruction::MoveFocusLeftOrPreviousTab => {
+                ScreenContext::MoveFocusLeftOrPreviousTab
+            }
+            ScreenInstruction::MoveFocusDown => ScreenContext::MoveFocusDown,
+            ScreenInstruction::MoveFocusUp => ScreenContext::MoveFocusUp,
+            ScreenInstruction::MoveFocusRight => ScreenContext::MoveFocusRight,
+            ScreenInstruction::MoveFocusRightOrNextTab => ScreenContext::MoveFocusRightOrNextTab,
+            ScreenInstruction::Exit => ScreenContext::Exit,
+            ScreenInstruction::ScrollUp => ScreenContext::ScrollUp,
+            ScreenInstruction::ScrollDown => ScreenContext::ScrollDown,
+            ScreenInstruction::PageScrollUp => ScreenContext::PageScrollUp,
+            ScreenInstruction::PageScrollDown => ScreenContext::PageScrollDown,
+            ScreenInstruction::ClearScroll => ScreenContext::ClearScroll,
+            ScreenInstruction::CloseFocusedPane => ScreenContext::CloseFocusedPane,
+            ScreenInstruction::ToggleActiveTerminalFullscreen => {
+                ScreenContext::ToggleActiveTerminalFullscreen
+            }
+            ScreenInstruction::SetSelectable(..) => ScreenContext::SetSelectable,
+            ScreenInstruction::SetInvisibleBorders(..) => ScreenContext::SetInvisibleBorders,
+            ScreenInstruction::SetMaxHeight(..) => ScreenContext::SetMaxHeight,
+            ScreenInstruction::ClosePane(_) => ScreenContext::ClosePane,
+            ScreenInstruction::ApplyLayout(..) => ScreenContext::ApplyLayout,
+            ScreenInstruction::NewTab(_) => ScreenContext::NewTab,
+            ScreenInstruction::SwitchTabNext => ScreenContext::SwitchTabNext,
+            ScreenInstruction::SwitchTabPrev => ScreenContext::SwitchTabPrev,
+            ScreenInstruction::CloseTab => ScreenContext::CloseTab,
+            ScreenInstruction::GoToTab(_) => ScreenContext::GoToTab,
+            ScreenInstruction::UpdateTabName(_) => ScreenContext::UpdateTabName,
+            ScreenInstruction::TerminalResize(_) => ScreenContext::TerminalResize,
+            ScreenInstruction::ChangeMode(_) => ScreenContext::ChangeMode,
+            ScreenInstruction::ToggleActiveSyncTab => ScreenContext::ToggleActiveSyncTab,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 /// A [`Screen`] holds multiple [`Tab`]s, each one holding multiple [`panes`](crate::client::panes).
 /// It only directly controls which tab is active, delegating the rest to the individual `Tab`.
-pub struct Screen {
+pub(crate) struct Screen {
     /// A Bus for sending and receiving messages with the other threads.
     pub bus: Bus<ScreenInstruction>,
     /// An optional maximal amount of panes allowed per [`Tab`] in this [`Screen`] instance.
@@ -73,7 +129,7 @@ pub struct Screen {
     /// A map between this [`Screen`]'s tabs and their ID/key.
     tabs: BTreeMap<usize, Tab>,
     /// The full size of this [`Screen`].
-    full_screen_ws: PositionAndSize,
+    position_and_size: PositionAndSize,
     /// The index of this [`Screen`]'s active [`Tab`].
     active_tab_index: Option<usize>,
     mode_info: ModeInfo,
@@ -85,21 +141,20 @@ impl Screen {
     /// Creates and returns a new [`Screen`].
     pub fn new(
         bus: Bus<ScreenInstruction>,
-        full_screen_ws: &PositionAndSize,
+        client_attributes: &ClientAttributes,
         max_panes: Option<usize>,
         mode_info: ModeInfo,
         input_mode: InputMode,
-        colors: Palette,
     ) -> Self {
         Screen {
             bus,
             max_panes,
-            full_screen_ws: *full_screen_ws,
+            position_and_size: client_attributes.position_and_size,
+            colors: client_attributes.palette,
             active_tab_index: None,
             tabs: BTreeMap::new(),
             mode_info,
             input_mode,
-            colors,
         }
     }
 
@@ -112,7 +167,7 @@ impl Screen {
             tab_index,
             position,
             String::new(),
-            &self.full_screen_ws,
+            &self.position_and_size,
             self.bus.os_input.as_ref().unwrap().clone(),
             self.bus.senders.clone(),
             self.max_panes,
@@ -219,7 +274,7 @@ impl Screen {
     }
 
     pub fn resize_to_screen(&mut self, new_screen_size: PositionAndSize) {
-        self.full_screen_ws = new_screen_size;
+        self.position_and_size = new_screen_size;
         for (_, tab) in self.tabs.iter_mut() {
             tab.resize_whole_tab(new_screen_size);
         }
@@ -268,7 +323,7 @@ impl Screen {
             tab_index,
             position,
             String::new(),
-            &self.full_screen_ws,
+            &self.position_and_size,
             self.bus.os_input.as_ref().unwrap().clone(),
             self.bus.senders.clone(),
             self.max_panes,
@@ -328,28 +383,26 @@ impl Screen {
 // The box is here in order to make the
 // NewClient enum smaller
 #[allow(clippy::boxed_local)]
-pub fn screen_thread_main(
+pub(crate) fn screen_thread_main(
     bus: Bus<ScreenInstruction>,
     max_panes: Option<usize>,
-    full_screen_ws: PositionAndSize,
+    client_attributes: ClientAttributes,
     config_options: Box<Options>,
 ) {
-    let colors = bus.os_input.as_ref().unwrap().load_palette();
     let capabilities = config_options.simplified_ui;
 
     let mut screen = Screen::new(
         bus,
-        &full_screen_ws,
+        &client_attributes,
         max_panes,
         ModeInfo {
-            palette: colors,
+            palette: client_attributes.palette,
             capabilities: PluginCapabilities {
                 arrow_fonts: capabilities,
             },
             ..ModeInfo::default()
         },
         InputMode::Normal,
-        colors,
     );
     loop {
         let (event, mut err_ctx) = screen
diff --git a/src/client/tab.rs b/zellij-server/src/tab.rs
index 29a41530..69de7e86 100644
--- a/src/client/tab.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/tab.rs
@@ -1,17 +1,15 @@
 //! `Tab`s holds multiple panes. It tracks their coordinates (x/y) and size,
 //! as well as how they should be resized
 
-use crate::client::pane_resizer::PaneResizer;
-use crate::common::input::handler::parse_keys;
-use crate::common::thread_bus::ThreadSenders;
-use crate::layout::Layout;
-use crate::os_input_output::ServerOsApi;
-use crate::panes::{PaneId, PositionAndSize, TerminalPane};
-use crate::pty::{PtyInstruction, VteBytes};
-use crate::server::ServerInstruction;
-use crate::utils::shared::adjust_to_size;
-use crate::wasm_vm::PluginInstruction;
-use crate::{boundaries::Boundaries, panes::PluginPane};
+use crate::{
+    os_input_output::ServerOsApi,
+    panes::{PaneId, PluginPane, TerminalPane},
+    pty::{PtyInstruction, VteBytes},
+    thread_bus::ThreadSenders,
+    ui::{boundaries::Boundaries, layout::Layout, pane_resizer::PaneResizer},
+    wasm_vm::PluginInstruction,
+    ServerInstruction,
+};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::os::unix::io::RawFd;
 use std::sync::mpsc::channel;
@@ -21,6 +19,7 @@ use std::{
     collections::{BTreeMap, HashSet},
 };
 use zellij_tile::data::{Event, InputMode, ModeInfo, Palette};
+use zellij_utils::{input::parse_keys, pane_size::PositionAndSize, shared::adjust_to_size};
 
 const CURSOR_HEIGHT_WIDTH_RATIO: usize = 4; // this is not accurate and kind of a magic number, TODO: look into this
 
@@ -59,7 +58,7 @@ fn split_horizontally_with_gap(rect: &PositionAndSize) -> (PositionAndSize, Posi
     (first_rect, second_rect)
 }
 
-pub struct Tab {
+pub(crate) struct Tab {
     pub index: usize,
     pub position: usize,
     pub name: String,
@@ -79,7 +78,7 @@ pub struct Tab {
 }
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
-pub struct TabData {
+pub(crate) struct TabData {
     /* subset of fields to publish to plugins */
     pub position: usize,
     pub name: String,
@@ -242,7 +241,7 @@ impl Tab {
         colors: Palette,
     ) -> Self {
         let panes = if let Some(PaneId::Terminal(pid)) = pane_id {
-            let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(pid, *full_screen_ws);
+            let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(pid, *full_screen_ws, colors);
             os_api.set_terminal_size_using_fd(
                 new_terminal.pid,
                 new_terminal.columns() as u16,
@@ -344,7 +343,7 @@ impl Tab {
             } else {
                 // there are still panes left to fill, use the pids we received in this method
                 let pid = new_pids.next().unwrap(); // if this crashes it means we got less pids than there are panes in this layout
-                let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(*pid, *position_and_size);
+                let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(*pid, *position_and_size, self.colors);
                 self.os_api.set_terminal_size_using_fd(
                     new_terminal.pid,
                     new_terminal.columns() as u16,
@@ -372,7 +371,7 @@ impl Tab {
         }
         if !self.has_panes() {
             if let PaneId::Terminal(term_pid) = pid {
-                let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, self.full_screen_ws);
+                let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, self.full_screen_ws, self.colors);
                 self.os_api.set_terminal_size_using_fd(
                     new_terminal.pid,
                     new_terminal.columns() as u16,
@@ -422,7 +421,7 @@ impl Tab {
             {
                 if let PaneId::Terminal(term_pid) = pid {
                     let (top_winsize, bottom_winsize) = split_horizontally_with_gap(&terminal_ws);
-                    let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, bottom_winsize);
+                    let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, bottom_winsize, self.colors);
                     self.os_api.set_terminal_size_using_fd(
                         new_terminal.pid,
                         bottom_winsize.columns as u16,
@@ -442,7 +441,7 @@ impl Tab {
             } else if terminal_to_split.columns() > terminal_to_split.min_width() * 2 {
                 if let PaneId::Terminal(term_pid) = pid {
                     let (left_winsize, right_winsize) = split_vertically_with_gap(&terminal_ws);
-                    let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, right_winsize);
+                    let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, right_winsize, self.colors);
                     self.os_api.set_terminal_size_using_fd(
                         new_terminal.pid,
                         right_winsize.columns as u16,
@@ -470,7 +469,7 @@ impl Tab {
         }
         if !self.has_panes() {
             if let PaneId::Terminal(term_pid) = pid {
-                let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, self.full_screen_ws);
+                let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, self.full_screen_ws, self.colors);
                 self.os_api.set_terminal_size_using_fd(
                     new_terminal.pid,
                     new_terminal.columns() as u16,
@@ -500,7 +499,7 @@ impl Tab {
 
             active_pane.change_pos_and_size(&top_winsize);
 
-            let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, bottom_winsize);
+            let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, bottom_winsize, self.colors);
             self.os_api.set_terminal_size_using_fd(
                 new_terminal.pid,
                 bottom_winsize.columns as u16,
@@ -527,7 +526,7 @@ impl Tab {
         }
         if !self.has_panes() {
             if let PaneId::Terminal(term_pid) = pid {
-                let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, self.full_screen_ws);
+                let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, self.full_screen_ws, self.colors);
                 self.os_api.set_terminal_size_using_fd(
                     new_terminal.pid,
                     new_terminal.columns() as u16,
@@ -557,7 +556,7 @@ impl Tab {
 
             active_pane.change_pos_and_size(&left_winsize);
 
-            let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, right_winsize);
+            let new_terminal = TerminalPane::new(term_pid, right_winsize, self.colors);
             self.os_api.set_terminal_size_using_fd(
                 new_terminal.pid,
                 right_winsize.columns as u16,
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/thread_bus.rs b/zellij-server/src/thread_bus.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..afc1d875
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zellij-server/src/thread_bus.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,80 @@
+//! Definitions and helpers for sending and receiving messages between threads.
+
+use crate::{
+    os_input_output::ServerOsApi, pty::PtyInstruction, screen::ScreenInstruction,
+    wasm_vm::PluginInstruction, ServerInstruction,
+};
+use std::sync::mpsc;
+use zellij_utils::{channels::SenderWithContext, errors::ErrorContext};
+
+/// A container for senders to the different threads in zellij on the server side
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub(crate) struct ThreadSenders {
+    pub to_screen: Option<SenderWithContext<ScreenInstruction>>,
+    pub to_pty: Option<SenderWithContext<PtyInstruction>>,
+    pub to_plugin: Option<SenderWithContext<PluginInstruction>>,
+    pub to_server: Option<SenderWithContext<ServerInstruction>>,
+}
+
+impl ThreadSenders {
+    pub fn send_to_screen(
+        &self,
+        instruction: ScreenInstruction,
+    ) -> Result<(), mpsc::SendError<(ScreenInstruction, ErrorContext)>> {
+        self.to_screen.as_ref().unwrap().send(instruction)
+    }
+
+    pub fn send_to_pty(
+        &self,
+        instruction: PtyInstruction,
+    ) -> Result<(), mpsc::SendError<(PtyInstruction, ErrorContext)>> {
+        self.to_pty.as_ref().unwrap().send(instruction)
+    }
+
+    pub fn send_to_plugin(
+        &self,
+        instruction: PluginInstruction,
+    ) -> Result<(), mpsc::SendError<(PluginInstruction, ErrorContext)>> {
+        self.to_plugin.as_ref().unwrap().send(instruction)
+    }
+
+    pub fn send_to_server(
+        &self,
+        instruction: ServerInstruction,
+    ) -> Result<(), mpsc::SendError<(ServerInstruction, ErrorContext)>> {
+        self.to_server.as_ref().unwrap().send(instruction)
+    }
+}
+
+/// A container for a receiver, OS input and the senders to a given thread
+pub(crate) struct Bus<T> {
+    pub receiver: mpsc::Receiver<(T, ErrorContext)>,
+    pub senders: ThreadSenders,
+    pub os_input: Option<Box<dyn ServerOsApi>>,
+}
+
+impl<T> Bus<T> {
+    pub fn new(
+        receiver: mpsc::Receiver<(T, ErrorContext)>,
+        to_screen: Option<&SenderWithContext<ScreenInstruction>>,
+        to_pty: Option<&SenderWithContext<PtyInstruction>>,
+        to_plugin: Option<&SenderWithContext<PluginInstruction>>,
+        to_server: Option<&SenderWithContext<ServerInstruction>>,
+        os_input: Option<Box<dyn ServerOsApi>>,
+    ) -> Self {
+        Bus {
+            receiver,
+            senders: ThreadSenders {
+                to_screen: to_screen.cloned(),
+                to_pty: to_pty.cloned(),
+                to_plugin: to_plugin.cloned(),
+                to_server: to_server.cloned(),
+            },
+            os_input: os_input.clone(),
+        }
+    }
+
+    pub fn recv(&self) -> Result<(T, ErrorContext), mpsc::RecvError> {
+        self.receiver.recv()
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/client/boundaries.rs b/zellij-server/src/ui/boundaries.rs
index 86fb37fc..984b1376 100644
--- a/src/client/boundaries.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/ui/boundaries.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 use crate::tab::Pane;
-use crate::utils::shared::colors;
 use ansi_term::Colour::{Fixed, RGB};
 use std::collections::HashMap;
 use zellij_tile::data::{InputMode, Palette, PaletteColor};
+use zellij_utils::shared::colors;
 
 use std::fmt::{Display, Error, Formatter};
 pub mod boundary_type {
@@ -19,10 +19,10 @@ pub mod boundary_type {
     pub const CROSS: &str = "┼";
 }
 
-pub type BoundaryType = &'static str; // easy way to refer to boundary_type above
+pub(crate) type BoundaryType = &'static str; // easy way to refer to boundary_type above
 
 #[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug)]
-pub struct BoundarySymbol {
+pub(crate) struct BoundarySymbol {
     boundary_type: BoundaryType,
     invisible: bool,
     color: Option<PaletteColor>,
@@ -392,7 +392,7 @@ fn combine_symbols(
 }
 
 #[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Hash, Debug)]
-pub struct Coordinates {
+pub(crate) struct Coordinates {
     x: usize,
     y: usize,
 }
@@ -403,7 +403,7 @@ impl Coordinates {
     }
 }
 
-pub trait Rect {
+pub(crate) trait Rect {
     fn x(&self) -> usize;
     fn y(&self) -> usize;
     fn rows(&self) -> usize;
diff --git a/src/client/layout.rs b/zellij-server/src/ui/layout.rs
index 592481dc..3965b478 100644
--- a/src/client/layout.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/ui/layout.rs
@@ -2,7 +2,7 @@ use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use std::{fs::File, io::prelude::*};
 
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
 fn split_space_to_parts_vertically(
     space_to_split: &PositionAndSize,
@@ -167,19 +167,19 @@ fn split_space(
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, Clone)]
-pub enum Direction {
+pub(crate) enum Direction {
     Horizontal,
     Vertical,
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, Clone, Copy)]
-pub enum SplitSize {
+pub(crate) enum SplitSize {
     Percent(u8), // 1 to 100
     Fixed(u16),  // An absolute number of columns or rows
 }
 
 #[derive(Debug, Serialize, Deserialize, Clone)]
-pub struct Layout {
+pub(crate) struct Layout {
     pub direction: Direction,
     #[serde(default, skip_serializing_if = "Vec::is_empty")]
     pub parts: Vec<Layout>,
diff --git a/zellij-server/src/ui/mod.rs b/zellij-server/src/ui/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..1e4c85fd
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zellij-server/src/ui/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,3 @@
+pub mod boundaries;
+pub mod layout;
+pub mod pane_resizer;
diff --git a/src/client/pane_resizer.rs b/zellij-server/src/ui/pane_resizer.rs
index 73678499..b2001945 100644
--- a/src/client/pane_resizer.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/ui/pane_resizer.rs
@@ -1,12 +1,11 @@
-use crate::os_input_output::ServerOsApi;
-use crate::panes::{PaneId, PositionAndSize};
-use crate::tab::Pane;
+use crate::{os_input_output::ServerOsApi, panes::PaneId, tab::Pane};
 use std::{
     cmp::Ordering,
     collections::{BTreeMap, HashSet},
 };
+use zellij_utils::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
 
-pub struct PaneResizer<'a> {
+pub(crate) struct PaneResizer<'a> {
     panes: &'a mut BTreeMap<PaneId, Box<dyn Pane>>,
     os_api: &'a mut Box<dyn ServerOsApi>,
 }
diff --git a/src/common/wasm_vm.rs b/zellij-server/src/wasm_vm.rs
index 51eb4ed8..65f5358a 100644
--- a/src/common/wasm_vm.rs
+++ b/zellij-server/src/wasm_vm.rs
@@ -15,14 +15,16 @@ use wasmer::{
 use wasmer_wasi::{Pipe, WasiEnv, WasiState};
 use zellij_tile::data::{Event, EventType, PluginIds};
 
-use crate::common::errors::ContextType;
-use crate::common::pty::PtyInstruction;
-use crate::common::screen::ScreenInstruction;
-use crate::common::thread_bus::{Bus, ThreadSenders};
-use crate::common::PaneId;
+use crate::{
+    panes::PaneId,
+    pty::PtyInstruction,
+    screen::ScreenInstruction,
+    thread_bus::{Bus, ThreadSenders},
+};
+use zellij_utils::errors::{ContextType, PluginContext};
 
 #[derive(Clone, Debug)]
-pub enum PluginInstruction {
+pub(crate) enum PluginInstruction {
     Load(Sender<u32>, PathBuf),
     Update(Option<u32>, Event), // Focused plugin / broadcast, event data
     Render(Sender<String>, u32, usize, usize), // String buffer, plugin id, rows, cols
@@ -30,8 +32,20 @@ pub enum PluginInstruction {
     Exit,
 }
 
+impl From<&PluginInstruction> for PluginContext {
+    fn from(plugin_instruction: &PluginInstruction) -> Self {
+        match *plugin_instruction {
+            PluginInstruction::Load(..) => PluginContext::Load,
+            PluginInstruction::Update(..) => PluginContext::Update,
+            PluginInstruction::Render(..) => PluginContext::Render,
+            PluginInstruction::Unload(_) => PluginContext::Unload,
+            PluginInstruction::Exit => PluginContext::Exit,
+        }
+    }
+}
+
 #[derive(WasmerEnv, Clone)]
-pub struct PluginEnv {
+pub(crate) struct PluginEnv {
     pub plugin_id: u32,
     pub senders: ThreadSenders,
     pub wasi_env: WasiEnv,
@@ -39,7 +53,7 @@ pub struct PluginEnv {
 }
 
 // Thread main --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-pub fn wasm_thread_main(bus: Bus<PluginInstruction>, store: Store, data_dir: PathBuf) {
+pub(crate) fn wasm_thread_main(bus: Bus<PluginInstruction>, store: Store, data_dir: PathBuf) {
     let mut plugin_id = 0;
     let mut plugin_map = HashMap::new();
     loop {
@@ -126,7 +140,7 @@ pub fn wasm_thread_main(bus: Bus<PluginInstruction>, store: Store, data_dir: Pat
 
 // Plugin API ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
-pub fn zellij_exports(store: &Store, plugin_env: &PluginEnv) -> ImportObject {
+pub(crate) fn zellij_exports(store: &Store, plugin_env: &PluginEnv) -> ImportObject {
     macro_rules! zellij_export {
         ($($host_function:ident),+ $(,)?) => {
             imports! {
diff --git a/zellij-utils/Cargo.toml b/zellij-utils/Cargo.toml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..d33ac659
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zellij-utils/Cargo.toml
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+[package]
+name = "zellij-utils"
+version = "0.12.0"
+authors = ["Kunal Mohan <kunalmohan99@gmail.com>"]
+edition = "2018"
+description = "A utility library for Zellij client and server"
+license = "MIT"
+
+# See more keys and their definitions at https://doc.rust-lang.org/cargo/reference/manifest.html
+
+[dependencies]
+backtrace = "0.3.55"
+bincode = "1.3.1"
+interprocess = "1.1.1"
+structopt = "0.3"
+serde = { version = "1.0", features = ["derive"] }
+zellij-tile = { path = "../zellij-tile/", version = "0.12.0" }
+names = "0.11.0"
+colors-transform = "0.2.5"
+strip-ansi-escapes = "0.1.0"
+strum = "0.20.0"
+serde_yaml = "0.8"
+nix = "0.19.1"
+lazy_static = "1.4.0"
+directories-next = "2.0"
+termion = "1.5.0"
+
+[dependencies.async-std]
+version = "1.3.0"
+features = ["unstable"]
+
+[dev-dependencies]
+tempfile = "3.2.0"
+
+[features]
+test = []
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/channels.rs b/zellij-utils/src/channels.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..8a97fa7d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/channels.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,65 @@
+//! Definitions and helpers for sending and receiving messages between threads.
+
+use async_std::task_local;
+use std::cell::RefCell;
+use std::sync::mpsc;
+
+use crate::errors::{get_current_ctx, ErrorContext};
+
+/// An [MPSC](mpsc) asynchronous channel with added error context.
+pub type ChannelWithContext<T> = (
+    mpsc::Sender<(T, ErrorContext)>,
+    mpsc::Receiver<(T, ErrorContext)>,
+);
+/// An [MPSC](mpsc) synchronous channel with added error context.
+pub type SyncChannelWithContext<T> = (
+    mpsc::SyncSender<(T, ErrorContext)>,
+    mpsc::Receiver<(T, ErrorContext)>,
+);
+
+/// Wrappers around the two standard [MPSC](mpsc) sender types, [`mpsc::Sender`] and [`mpsc::SyncSender`], with an additional [`ErrorContext`].
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub enum SenderType<T: Clone> {
+    /// A wrapper around an [`mpsc::Sender`], adding an [`ErrorContext`].
+    Sender(mpsc::Sender<(T, ErrorContext)>),
+    /// A wrapper around an [`mpsc::SyncSender`], adding an [`ErrorContext`].
+    SyncSender(mpsc::SyncSender<(T, ErrorContext)>),
+}
+
+/// Sends messages on an [MPSC](std::sync::mpsc) channel, along with an [`ErrorContext`],
+/// synchronously or asynchronously depending on the underlying [`SenderType`].
+#[derive(Clone)]
+pub struct SenderWithContext<T: Clone> {
+    sender: SenderType<T>,
+}
+
+impl<T: Clone> SenderWithContext<T> {
+    pub fn new(sender: SenderType<T>) -> Self {
+        Self { sender }
+    }
+
+    /// Sends an event, along with the current [`ErrorContext`], on this
+    /// [`SenderWithContext`]'s channel.
+    pub fn send(&self, event: T) -> Result<(), mpsc::SendError<(T, ErrorContext)>> {
+        let err_ctx = get_current_ctx();
+        match self.sender {
+            SenderType::Sender(ref s) => s.send((event, err_ctx)),
+            SenderType::SyncSender(ref s) => s.send((event, err_ctx)),
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+unsafe impl<T: Clone> Send for SenderWithContext<T> {}
+unsafe impl<T: Clone> Sync for SenderWithContext<T> {}
+
+thread_local!(
+    /// A key to some thread local storage (TLS) that holds a representation of the thread's call
+    /// stack in the form of an [`ErrorContext`].
+    pub static OPENCALLS: RefCell<ErrorContext> = RefCell::default()
+);
+
+task_local! {
+    /// A key to some task local storage that holds a representation of the task's call
+    /// stack in the form of an [`ErrorContext`].
+    pub static ASYNCOPENCALLS: RefCell<ErrorContext> = RefCell::default()
+}
diff --git a/src/cli.rs b/zellij-utils/src/cli.rs
index b8a61344..56e93edb 100644
--- a/src/cli.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/cli.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
-use super::common::utils::consts::{ZELLIJ_CONFIG_DIR_ENV, ZELLIJ_CONFIG_FILE_ENV};
-use crate::common::input::options::Options;
-use crate::common::setup::Setup;
+use crate::consts::{ZELLIJ_CONFIG_DIR_ENV, ZELLIJ_CONFIG_FILE_ENV};
+use crate::input::options::Options;
+use crate::setup::Setup;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::path::PathBuf;
 use structopt::StructOpt;
diff --git a/src/common/utils/consts.rs b/zellij-utils/src/consts.rs
index 42843eb8..799e2913 100644
--- a/src/common/utils/consts.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/consts.rs
@@ -1,6 +1,6 @@
 //! Zellij program-wide constants.
 
-use crate::os_input_output::set_permissions;
+use crate::shared::set_permissions;
 use directories_next::ProjectDirs;
 use lazy_static::lazy_static;
 use nix::unistd::Uid;
diff --git a/src/common/errors.rs b/zellij-utils/src/errors.rs
index 262dfd6b..94a894c4 100644
--- a/src/common/errors.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/errors.rs
@@ -1,43 +1,20 @@
 //! Error context system based on a thread-local representation of the call stack, itself based on
 //! the instructions that are sent between threads.
 
+use crate::channels::{SenderWithContext, ASYNCOPENCALLS, OPENCALLS};
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
-
 use std::fmt::{Display, Error, Formatter};
-
-use crate::client::ClientInstruction;
-use crate::common::thread_bus::{ASYNCOPENCALLS, OPENCALLS};
-use crate::pty::PtyInstruction;
-use crate::screen::ScreenInstruction;
-use crate::server::ServerInstruction;
+use std::panic::PanicInfo;
 
 /// The maximum amount of calls an [`ErrorContext`] will keep track
 /// of in its stack representation. This is a per-thread maximum.
 const MAX_THREAD_CALL_STACK: usize = 6;
 
-#[cfg(not(test))]
-use super::thread_bus::SenderWithContext;
-#[cfg(not(test))]
-use std::panic::PanicInfo;
-
 pub trait ErrorInstruction {
     fn error(err: String) -> Self;
 }
 
-impl ErrorInstruction for ClientInstruction {
-    fn error(err: String) -> Self {
-        ClientInstruction::Error(err)
-    }
-}
-
-impl ErrorInstruction for ServerInstruction {
-    fn error(err: String) -> Self {
-        ServerInstruction::Error(err)
-    }
-}
-
 /// Custom panic handler/hook. Prints the [`ErrorContext`].
-#[cfg(not(test))]
 pub fn handle_panic<T>(info: &PanicInfo<'_>, sender: &SenderWithContext<T>)
 where
     T: ErrorInstruction + Clone,
@@ -243,59 +220,6 @@ pub enum ScreenContext {
     ChangeMode,
 }
 
-// FIXME: Just deriving EnumDiscriminants from strum will remove the need for any of this!!!
-impl From<&ScreenInstruction> for ScreenContext {
-    fn from(screen_instruction: &ScreenInstruction) -> Self {
-        match *screen_instruction {
-            ScreenInstruction::PtyBytes(..) => ScreenContext::HandlePtyBytes,
-            ScreenInstruction::Render => ScreenContext::Render,
-            ScreenInstruction::NewPane(_) => ScreenContext::NewPane,
-            ScreenInstruction::HorizontalSplit(_) => ScreenContext::HorizontalSplit,
-            ScreenInstruction::VerticalSplit(_) => ScreenContext::VerticalSplit,
-            ScreenInstruction::WriteCharacter(_) => ScreenContext::WriteCharacter,
-            ScreenInstruction::ResizeLeft => ScreenContext::ResizeLeft,
-            ScreenInstruction::ResizeRight => ScreenContext::ResizeRight,
-            ScreenInstruction::ResizeDown => ScreenContext::ResizeDown,
-            ScreenInstruction::ResizeUp => ScreenContext::ResizeUp,
-            ScreenInstruction::SwitchFocus => ScreenContext::SwitchFocus,
-            ScreenInstruction::FocusNextPane => ScreenContext::FocusNextPane,
-            ScreenInstruction::FocusPreviousPane => ScreenContext::FocusPreviousPane,
-            ScreenInstruction::MoveFocusLeft => ScreenContext::MoveFocusLeft,
-            ScreenInstruction::MoveFocusLeftOrPreviousTab => {
-                ScreenContext::MoveFocusLeftOrPreviousTab
-            }
-            ScreenInstruction::MoveFocusDown => ScreenContext::MoveFocusDown,
-            ScreenInstruction::MoveFocusUp => ScreenContext::MoveFocusUp,
-            ScreenInstruction::MoveFocusRight => ScreenContext::MoveFocusRight,
-            ScreenInstruction::MoveFocusRightOrNextTab => ScreenContext::MoveFocusRightOrNextTab,
-            ScreenInstruction::Exit => ScreenContext::Exit,
-            ScreenInstruction::ScrollUp => ScreenContext::ScrollUp,
-            ScreenInstruction::ScrollDown => ScreenContext::ScrollDown,
-            ScreenInstruction::PageScrollUp => ScreenContext::PageScrollUp,
-            ScreenInstruction::PageScrollDown => ScreenContext::PageScrollDown,
-            ScreenInstruction::ClearScroll => ScreenContext::ClearScroll,
-            ScreenInstruction::CloseFocusedPane => ScreenContext::CloseFocusedPane,
-            ScreenInstruction::ToggleActiveTerminalFullscreen => {
-                ScreenContext::ToggleActiveTerminalFullscreen
-            }
-            ScreenInstruction::SetSelectable(..) => ScreenContext::SetSelectable,
-            ScreenInstruction::SetInvisibleBorders(..) => ScreenContext::SetInvisibleBorders,
-            ScreenInstruction::SetMaxHeight(..) => ScreenContext::SetMaxHeight,
-            ScreenInstruction::ClosePane(_) => ScreenContext::ClosePane,
-            ScreenInstruction::ApplyLayout(..) => ScreenContext::ApplyLayout,
-            ScreenInstruction::NewTab(_) => ScreenContext::NewTab,
-            ScreenInstruction::SwitchTabNext => ScreenContext::SwitchTabNext,
-            ScreenInstruction::SwitchTabPrev => ScreenContext::SwitchTabPrev,
-            ScreenInstruction::CloseTab => ScreenContext::CloseTab,
-            ScreenInstruction::GoToTab(_) => ScreenContext::GoToTab,
-            ScreenInstruction::UpdateTabName(_) => ScreenContext::UpdateTabName,
-            ScreenInstruction::TerminalResize(_) => ScreenContext::TerminalResize,
-            ScreenInstruction::ChangeMode(_) => ScreenContext::ChangeMode,
-            ScreenInstruction::ToggleActiveSyncTab => ScreenContext::ToggleActiveSyncTab,
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 /// Stack call representations corresponding to the different types of [`PtyInstruction`]s.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum PtyContext {
@@ -308,24 +232,6 @@ pub enum PtyContext {
     Exit,
 }
 
-impl From<&PtyInstruction> for PtyContext {
-    fn from(pty_instruction: &PtyInstruction) -> Self {
-        match *pty_instruction {
-            PtyInstruction::SpawnTerminal(_) => PtyContext::SpawnTerminal,
-            PtyInstruction::SpawnTerminalVertically(_) => PtyContext::SpawnTerminalVertically,
-            PtyInstruction::SpawnTerminalHorizontally(_) => PtyContext::SpawnTerminalHorizontally,
-            PtyInstruction::ClosePane(_) => PtyContext::ClosePane,
-            PtyInstruction::CloseTab(_) => PtyContext::CloseTab,
-            PtyInstruction::NewTab => PtyContext::NewTab,
-            PtyInstruction::Exit => PtyContext::Exit,
-        }
-    }
-}
-
-// FIXME: This whole pattern *needs* a macro eventually, it's soul-crushing to write
-
-use crate::wasm_vm::PluginInstruction;
-
 /// Stack call representations corresponding to the different types of [`PluginInstruction`]s.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum PluginContext {
@@ -336,18 +242,6 @@ pub enum PluginContext {
     Exit,
 }
 
-impl From<&PluginInstruction> for PluginContext {
-    fn from(plugin_instruction: &PluginInstruction) -> Self {
-        match *plugin_instruction {
-            PluginInstruction::Load(..) => PluginContext::Load,
-            PluginInstruction::Update(..) => PluginContext::Update,
-            PluginInstruction::Render(..) => PluginContext::Render,
-            PluginInstruction::Unload(_) => PluginContext::Unload,
-            PluginInstruction::Exit => PluginContext::Exit,
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 /// Stack call representations corresponding to the different types of [`ClientInstruction`]s.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum ClientContext {
@@ -358,18 +252,6 @@ pub enum ClientContext {
     ServerError,
 }
 
-impl From<&ClientInstruction> for ClientContext {
-    fn from(client_instruction: &ClientInstruction) -> Self {
-        match *client_instruction {
-            ClientInstruction::Exit => ClientContext::Exit,
-            ClientInstruction::Error(_) => ClientContext::Error,
-            ClientInstruction::ServerError(_) => ClientContext::ServerError,
-            ClientInstruction::Render(_) => ClientContext::Render,
-            ClientInstruction::UnblockInputThread => ClientContext::UnblockInputThread,
-        }
-    }
-}
-
 /// Stack call representations corresponding to the different types of [`ServerInstruction`]s.
 #[derive(Debug, Clone, Copy, PartialEq, Serialize, Deserialize)]
 pub enum ServerContext {
@@ -379,15 +261,3 @@ pub enum ServerContext {
     ClientExit,
     Error,
 }
-
-impl From<&ServerInstruction> for ServerContext {
-    fn from(server_instruction: &ServerInstruction) -> Self {
-        match *server_instruction {
-            ServerInstruction::NewClient(..) => ServerContext::NewClient,
-            ServerInstruction::Render(_) => ServerContext::Render,
-            ServerInstruction::UnblockInputThread => ServerContext::UnblockInputThread,
-            ServerInstruction::ClientExit => ServerContext::ClientExit,
-            ServerInstruction::Error(_) => ServerContext::Error,
-        }
-    }
-}
diff --git a/src/common/input/actions.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
index b806aa3f..b806aa3f 100644
--- a/src/common/input/actions.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/actions.rs
diff --git a/src/common/input/config.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs
index 3dffe71c..a0341689 100644
--- a/src/common/input/config.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/config.rs
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ use std::path::{Path, PathBuf};
 use super::keybinds::{Keybinds, KeybindsFromYaml};
 use super::options::Options;
 use crate::cli::{CliArgs, ConfigCli};
-use crate::common::setup;
+use crate::setup;
 
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::convert::TryFrom;
@@ -177,7 +177,7 @@ mod config_test {
 
     #[test]
     fn try_from_cli_args_with_option_clean() {
-        use crate::common::setup::Setup;
+        use crate::setup::Setup;
         let mut opts = CliArgs::default();
         opts.option = Some(ConfigCli::Setup(Setup {
             clean: true,
diff --git a/src/common/input/keybinds.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/keybinds.rs
index 8bef47fd..8bef47fd 100644
--- a/src/common/input/keybinds.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/keybinds.rs
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/input/mod.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2747205b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,87 @@
+//! The way terminal input is handled.
+
+pub mod actions;
+pub mod config;
+pub mod keybinds;
+pub mod options;
+
+use termion::input::TermRead;
+use zellij_tile::data::{InputMode, Key, ModeInfo, Palette, PluginCapabilities};
+
+/// Creates a [`Help`] struct indicating the current [`InputMode`] and its keybinds
+/// (as pairs of [`String`]s).
+// TODO this should probably be automatically generated in some way
+pub fn get_mode_info(
+    mode: InputMode,
+    palette: Palette,
+    capabilities: PluginCapabilities,
+) -> ModeInfo {
+    let mut keybinds: Vec<(String, String)> = vec![];
+    match mode {
+        InputMode::Normal | InputMode::Locked => {}
+        InputMode::Resize => {
+            keybinds.push(("←↓↑→".to_string(), "Resize".to_string()));
+        }
+        InputMode::Pane => {
+            keybinds.push(("←↓↑→".to_string(), "Move focus".to_string()));
+            keybinds.push(("p".to_string(), "Next".to_string()));
+            keybinds.push(("n".to_string(), "New".to_string()));
+            keybinds.push(("d".to_string(), "Down split".to_string()));
+            keybinds.push(("r".to_string(), "Right split".to_string()));
+            keybinds.push(("x".to_string(), "Close".to_string()));
+            keybinds.push(("f".to_string(), "Fullscreen".to_string()));
+        }
+        InputMode::Tab => {
+            keybinds.push(("←↓↑→".to_string(), "Move focus".to_string()));
+            keybinds.push(("n".to_string(), "New".to_string()));
+            keybinds.push(("x".to_string(), "Close".to_string()));
+            keybinds.push(("r".to_string(), "Rename".to_string()));
+            keybinds.push(("s".to_string(), "Sync".to_string()));
+        }
+        InputMode::Scroll => {
+            keybinds.push(("↓↑".to_string(), "Scroll".to_string()));
+            keybinds.push(("PgUp/PgDn".to_string(), "Scroll Page".to_string()));
+        }
+        InputMode::RenameTab => {
+            keybinds.push(("Enter".to_string(), "when done".to_string()));
+        }
+    }
+    ModeInfo {
+        mode,
+        keybinds,
+        palette,
+        capabilities,
+    }
+}
+
+pub fn parse_keys(input_bytes: &[u8]) -> Vec<Key> {
+    input_bytes.keys().flatten().map(cast_termion_key).collect()
+}
+
+// FIXME: This is an absolutely cursed function that should be destroyed as soon
+// as an alternative that doesn't touch zellij-tile can be developed...
+pub fn cast_termion_key(event: termion::event::Key) -> Key {
+    match event {
+        termion::event::Key::Backspace => Key::Backspace,
+        termion::event::Key::Left => Key::Left,
+        termion::event::Key::Right => Key::Right,
+        termion::event::Key::Up => Key::Up,
+        termion::event::Key::Down => Key::Down,
+        termion::event::Key::Home => Key::Home,
+        termion::event::Key::End => Key::End,
+        termion::event::Key::PageUp => Key::PageUp,
+        termion::event::Key::PageDown => Key::PageDown,
+        termion::event::Key::BackTab => Key::BackTab,
+        termion::event::Key::Delete => Key::Delete,
+        termion::event::Key::Insert => Key::Insert,
+        termion::event::Key::F(n) => Key::F(n),
+        termion::event::Key::Char(c) => Key::Char(c),
+        termion::event::Key::Alt(c) => Key::Alt(c),
+        termion::event::Key::Ctrl(c) => Key::Ctrl(c),
+        termion::event::Key::Null => Key::Null,
+        termion::event::Key::Esc => Key::Esc,
+        _ => {
+            unimplemented!("Encountered an unknown key!")
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/common/input/options.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/options.rs
index 33625b65..33625b65 100644
--- a/src/common/input/options.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/options.rs
diff --git a/src/common/input/unit/keybinds_test.rs b/zellij-utils/src/input/unit/keybinds_test.rs
index 4767fc15..4767fc15 100644
--- a/src/common/input/unit/keybinds_test.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/input/unit/keybinds_test.rs
diff --git a/src/common/ipc.rs b/zellij-utils/src/ipc.rs
index af6dd859..725bf16b 100644
--- a/src/common/ipc.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/ipc.rs
@@ -1,11 +1,11 @@
 //! IPC stuff for starting to split things into a client and server model.
 
 use crate::cli::CliArgs;
-use crate::common::{
+use crate::pane_size::PositionAndSize;
+use crate::{
     errors::{get_current_ctx, ErrorContext},
     input::{actions::Action, options::Options},
 };
-use crate::panes::PositionAndSize;
 use interprocess::local_socket::LocalSocketStream;
 use nix::unistd::dup;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
@@ -13,6 +13,8 @@ use std::io::{self, Write};
 use std::marker::PhantomData;
 use std::os::unix::io::{AsRawFd, FromRawFd};
 
+use zellij_tile::data::Palette;
+
 type SessionId = u64;
 
 #[derive(PartialEq, Eq, Serialize, Deserialize, Hash)]
@@ -32,7 +34,14 @@ pub enum ClientType {
     Writer,
 }
 
+#[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug, Clone)]
+pub struct ClientAttributes {
+    pub position_and_size: PositionAndSize,
+    pub palette: Palette,
+}
+
 // Types of messages sent from the client to the server
+#[allow(clippy::large_enum_variant)]
 #[derive(Serialize, Deserialize, Debug, Clone)]
 pub enum ClientToServerMsg {
     /*// List which sessions are available
@@ -47,7 +56,7 @@ pub enum ClientToServerMsg {
     DisconnectFromSession,*/
     ClientExit,
     TerminalResize(PositionAndSize),
-    NewClient(PositionAndSize, Box<CliArgs>, Box<Options>),
+    NewClient(ClientAttributes, Box<CliArgs>, Box<Options>),
     Action(Action),
 }
 
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/lib.rs b/zellij-utils/src/lib.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..35f27244
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/lib.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,10 @@
+pub mod channels;
+pub mod cli;
+pub mod consts;
+pub mod errors;
+pub mod input;
+pub mod ipc;
+pub mod logging;
+pub mod pane_size;
+pub mod setup;
+pub mod shared;
diff --git a/src/common/utils/logging.rs b/zellij-utils/src/logging.rs
index 0dd382d6..d2c57612 100644
--- a/src/common/utils/logging.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/logging.rs
@@ -7,8 +7,8 @@ use std::{
     path::{Path, PathBuf},
 };
 
-use crate::os_input_output::set_permissions;
-use crate::utils::consts::{ZELLIJ_TMP_LOG_DIR, ZELLIJ_TMP_LOG_FILE};
+use crate::consts::{ZELLIJ_TMP_LOG_DIR, ZELLIJ_TMP_LOG_FILE};
+use crate::shared::set_permissions;
 
 pub fn atomic_create_file(file_name: &Path) -> io::Result<()> {
     let _ = fs::OpenOptions::new()
diff --git a/zellij-utils/src/pane_size.rs b/zellij-utils/src/pane_size.rs
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..2744c43f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/pane_size.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,24 @@
+use nix::pty::Winsize;
+use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
+
+/// Contains the position and size of a [`Pane`], or more generally of any terminal, measured
+/// in character rows and columns.
+#[derive(Clone, Copy, Debug, Default, Serialize, Deserialize)]
+pub struct PositionAndSize {
+    pub x: usize,
+    pub y: usize,
+    pub rows: usize,
+    pub columns: usize,
+    pub max_rows: Option<usize>,
+    pub max_columns: Option<usize>,
+}
+
+impl From<Winsize> for PositionAndSize {
+    fn from(winsize: Winsize) -> PositionAndSize {
+        PositionAndSize {
+            columns: winsize.ws_col as usize,
+            rows: winsize.ws_row as usize,
+            ..Default::default()
+        }
+    }
+}
diff --git a/src/common/setup.rs b/zellij-utils/src/setup.rs
index 2e076776..ef51b2e5 100644
--- a/src/common/setup.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/setup.rs
@@ -1,8 +1,8 @@
 use crate::cli::CliArgs;
-use crate::common::utils::consts::{
+use crate::consts::{
     FEATURES, SYSTEM_DEFAULT_CONFIG_DIR, SYSTEM_DEFAULT_DATA_DIR_PREFIX, VERSION, ZELLIJ_PROJ_DIR,
 };
-use crate::os_input_output::set_permissions;
+use crate::shared::set_permissions;
 use directories_next::BaseDirs;
 use serde::{Deserialize, Serialize};
 use std::io::Write;
@@ -32,13 +32,13 @@ pub mod install {
     pub fn populate_data_dir(data_dir: &Path) {
         // First run installation of default plugins & layouts
         let mut assets = asset_map! {
-            "assets/layouts/default.yaml" => "layouts/default.yaml",
-            "assets/layouts/strider.yaml" => "layouts/strider.yaml",
+            "../assets/layouts/default.yaml" => "layouts/default.yaml",
+            "../assets/layouts/strider.yaml" => "layouts/strider.yaml",
         };
         assets.extend(asset_map! {
-            "assets/plugins/status-bar.wasm" => "plugins/status-bar.wasm",
-            "assets/plugins/tab-bar.wasm" => "plugins/tab-bar.wasm",
-            "assets/plugins/strider.wasm" => "plugins/strider.wasm",
+            "../assets/plugins/status-bar.wasm" => "plugins/status-bar.wasm",
+            "../assets/plugins/tab-bar.wasm" => "plugins/tab-bar.wasm",
+            "../assets/plugins/strider.wasm" => "plugins/strider.wasm",
         });
         assets.insert("VERSION", VERSION.as_bytes().to_vec());
 
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ pub mod install {
     }
 }
 
-#[cfg(not(test))]
+#[cfg(not(any(feature = "test", test)))]
 /// Goes through a predefined list and checks for an already
 /// existing config directory, returns the first match
 pub fn find_default_config_dir() -> Option<PathBuf> {
@@ -68,7 +68,7 @@ pub fn find_default_config_dir() -> Option<PathBuf> {
         .flatten()
 }
 
-#[cfg(test)]
+#[cfg(any(feature = "test", test))]
 pub fn find_default_config_dir() -> Option<PathBuf> {
     None
 }
@@ -119,7 +119,7 @@ pub fn dump_asset(asset: &[u8]) -> std::io::Result<()> {
 pub const DEFAULT_CONFIG: &[u8] = include_bytes!(concat!(
     env!("CARGO_MANIFEST_DIR"),
     "/",
-    "assets/config/default.yaml"
+    "../assets/config/default.yaml"
 ));
 
 pub fn dump_default_config() -> std::io::Result<()> {
@@ -192,7 +192,7 @@ impl Setup {
             }
         }
         if let Some(config_file) = config_file {
-            use crate::common::input::config::Config;
+            use crate::input::config::Config;
             message.push_str(&format!("[CONFIG FILE]: {:?}\n", config_file));
             match Config::new(&config_file) {
                 Ok(_) => message.push_str(&"[CONFIG FILE]: Well defined.\n"),
diff --git a/src/common/utils/shared.rs b/zellij-utils/src/shared.rs
index 26a2f90a..bc8b6771 100644
--- a/src/common/utils/shared.rs
+++ b/zellij-utils/src/shared.rs
@@ -5,8 +5,19 @@ use std::{iter, str::from_utf8};
 use strip_ansi_escapes::strip;
 
 use colors_transform::{Color, Rgb};
+use std::os::unix::fs::PermissionsExt;
+use std::path::Path;
+use std::{fs, io};
 use zellij_tile::data::{Palette, PaletteColor, PaletteSource, Theme};
 
+const UNIX_PERMISSIONS: u32 = 0o700;
+
+pub fn set_permissions(path: &Path) -> io::Result<()> {
+    let mut permissions = fs::metadata(path)?.permissions();
+    permissions.set_mode(UNIX_PERMISSIONS);
+    fs::set_permissions(path, permissions)
+}
+
 fn ansi_len(s: &str) -> usize {
     from_utf8(&strip(s.as_bytes()).unwrap())
         .unwrap()