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tmux

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description tmux Overview

Within one terminal connection, tmux can organize multiple shell sessions into windows and split panes. It is a terminal multiplexer, meaning it manages several terminal views inside a shared session. Users can switch between tasks with keyboard shortcuts and configure behavior through .tmux.conf, while optional plugins extend the available workflow features. A key distinction is the ability to detach from a session and reconnect later while its programs continue running on the host.

This makes tmux useful for developers and system administrators working over SSH, especially when a connection drops or work spans several tasks. Persistence does not survive every circumstance: the host and tmux server must remain running. Its keyboard-driven interface takes practice, but the practical benefit is keeping terminal work organized and reconnectable rather than relying on one browser-like tab per task.

help tmux FAQ

How do I split panes in tmux?

By default, you can split panes vertically using the prefix key combination Ctrl-b followed by the double quote key, and horizontally using Ctrl-b followed by the percent sign. These shortcuts can be remapped in your .tmux.conf file to match a more ergonomic workflow.

How do I detach and reattach a tmux session?

To detach from a session, press Ctrl-b followed by the d key, which leaves your processes running in the background on the server. To reattach, run the command 'tmux attach' from your terminal, which reconnects you to the most recent or specified session.

What is the difference between tmux and GNU Screen?

While both are terminal multiplexers, tmux offers a more modern configuration syntax, easier pane splitting and resizing, and better mouse support out of the box compared to GNU Screen. tmux also features a client-server architecture that makes managing multiple sessions more intuitive than Screen's model.

How do I customize tmux using .tmux.conf?

tmux reads its configuration from a file called .tmux.conf in your home directory, where you can remap key bindings, change the prefix key, customize the status bar appearance, and load plugins. The Tmux Plugin Manager (TPM) is widely used to install community extensions for additional functionality.

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