FEAT: Image display support within Zellij (Sixel fallback)

[wowlegend]

Problem Description

Currently, Matcha's image rendering (Kitty/iTerm2 protocols) does not work when running inside Zellij. Zellij currently "swallows" these graphics protocols, causing images to either not appear or fallback to links, even when the underlying terminal (like Ghostty or WezTerm) supports them.

Proposed Solution

1. Sixel Support: Since Zellij supports Sixel graphics, adding a Sixel rendering fallback would allow images to work within Zellij panes.
2. DCS Passthrough: Alternatively, implement "DCS passthrough" sequences (e.g., wrapping the image data in \ePtmux; or similar Zellij-specific escapes) to allow the image data to reach the outer terminal emulator.

Alternatives Considered

Running Matcha outside of a multiplexer works, but breaks the workflow for users who rely on Zellij for session management.

Additional Context

Related Zellij issue: zellij-org/zellij#2814 (Kitty protocol support). Adding Sixel support to Matcha would be the most robust "universal" fix for multiplexed environments.

[andrinoff]

Hey @wowlegend,

Sixel protocol is the plugin for PowerShell, if I am not mistaken.

While we did provide a full support for Windows, and Sixel is probably on the agenda to implement, we will not be getting our hands on it anytime soon.

For Windows users in the meantime, there are other terminals that support images currently.

As well as that, this is the first issue regarding Zellij that we have received, and, if I'm being honest, before this I have never heard of it. I will leave this issue open, and, hopefully we will get around implementing this.

[wowlegend]

hello @andrinoff , Sixel (Six Pixels) is a bitmap graphics format based on terminal escape sequences developed by DEC in the 1980s. nothing to do with Windows PowerShell. Zellij is a great replacement for tmux nowadays, try it out ! I will try working out a PR later to fix this zellij issue

[andrinoff]

Oh, that works too, I will be happy to review these changes happen! Good luck on the PR! Just make sure to follow the Contributors Guide

[andrinoff]

Hey, @wowlegend,

Was wondering if you got your hands around tackling this issue?

If so, I will assign you to it, otherwise, I will try to implement it myself.

[wowlegend]

hi there, haven't gotten around to it, would be great if you implement it ! thanks !