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tmux

Some basics about tmux (terminal multiplexer), a command-line tool that lets you manage multiple terminal sessions from a single window.

You can...

  • split your terminal into multiple panes (either horizontally or vertically).
  • run multiple programs (like shells, editors, logs, etc.) side-by-side in the same terminal.
  • detach from a tmux session (leave it running in the background), then reattach later—even after disconnecting from SSH.
  • have multiple windows within a session, each with its own set of panes.

Default Prefix Key: Ctrl+b (press this, then the next key)

tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf    # Reload config file
tmux kill-server                 # Kill all tmux sessions
Command Description
tmux Start new tmux session
tmux new -s name Start session with name
tmux ls List sessions
tmux attach -t name Attach to session
tmux kill-session -t name Kill session
exit Close tmux pane

Sessions

Command Description
:new -s name Create new session
:rename-session -t old new Rename session
:kill-session -t name Kill session
:switch -t name Switch session
:detach or d Detach from session

Windows

Command Description
c Create new window
, Rename window
w List windows
& Kill current window
p Previous window
n Next window
l Last window
<number> Go to window

Panes

Command Description
% Split vertically
" Split horizontally
o Go to next pane
; Go to previous pane
{ Move pane left
} Move pane right
x Kill current pane
q Show pane numbers
space Toggle pane layouts
z Zoom/unzoom pane

Resizing Panes

Command Description
Ctrl+b then : Enter command mode
resize-pane -L Resize left
resize-pane -R Resize right
resize-pane -U Resize up
resize-pane -D Resize down
(or use Ctrl+b + arrow keys in some configs)

Copy Mode

Command Description
[ Enter copy mode
Space Start selection
Enter Copy selection
] Paste

Miscellaneous

Command Description
? List all key bindings
: Command prompt
t Show clock
~ Show command history
s Select session
$ Rename session