up:: [[Computing MOC]] down:: [[Tmux Cheat Sheet]] tags:: #on/computing/tools # Tmux [tmux](https://github.com/tmux/tmux/wiki) is a [[Terminal Multiplexer]] for Unix and Unix-like systems. ## The Prefix Key The default prefix key is `ctrl + b`. This tells the terminal that the upcoming keypresses should go to `tmux` and not the normal shell session. ## Attaching, Detaching, and Re-attaching to `tmux` Sessions **Detaching from a `tmux` session**: press the prefix key (`ctrl + b`) then press `d`. This will detach your shell session from `tmux` while leaving the `tmux` session running in the background. **Attaching to an existing `tmux` session**: Run the command `tmux attach` to re-attach to the most recent `tmux` session. The shorthand for this is `tmux a`. **Listing active `tmux` sessions**: Run the command `tmux list-sessions` to see a list of running `tmux` sessions. The shorthand for this is `tmux ls`. ## Splits and Panes **Creating a vertical split**: Press the prefix key, then press `%`. **Creating a horizontal split**: Press the prefix key, then press `"`. **Moving between splits/panes**: Press the prefix key, then press an arrow key. ## Window Management **Creating a new window**: Run the command `tmux new-window` while in a `tmux` session or press the prefix key followed by `c`. **Switching to the previous window**: Press the prefix key, then press `p`. **Switching to the next window**: Press the prefix key, then press `n`. **Closing a window**: Press the prefix key and then press `&`. **Renaming a window**: Press the prefix key, then press `,`. Or use the command `tmux rename-window $NAME`. ## Session Management > [!tip] > Nesting `tmux` sessions should be done with care. **Attaching to a specific session**: Run the command `tmux attach -t $SESSION_NAME`. The `-t` is short for `target`. Session names can be found using `tmux list-sessions`. **Renaming a session**: Run the command `tmux rename-session $SESSION_NAME`, or press the prefix key followed by `. **Switching between sessions without detaching**: Press the prefix key followed by `s`. ## Customizing `tmux` The config file lives at `~/.tmux.conf`. ## Misc. Tips ### Nested Tmux in SSH Sessions Let's say you're running tmux locally in your terminal. You then SSH into another machine and start another tmux session on the remote machine. You now have tmux running both locally and remotely at the same time, so how do you control which session your tmux commands are sent to? I was able to find the answer in [this Reddit comment](https://www.reddit.com/r/tmux/comments/4tkejb/local_tmux_and_ssh_tmux_how_to_make_them_work/d5hzrnv/). Basically, the answer is this (assuming your tmux prefix key is `ctrl + b`): > [!INFO] Tmux Shortcut Redirection > - Tmux (Local) → **Ctrl+b** > - Tmux (Local) inside Tmux (ssh) → **Ctrl+b+b** > - Tmux (Local) inside Tmux (ssh) inside Tmux (other ssh) → **Ctrl+b+b+b+b** ## References *Learn Tmux (Part 1) Boost Your Linux Productivity with This 5-Part Course!*, 2023. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxbiDtEXuxg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UxbiDtEXuxg). *Learn Tmux (Part 2) - How to Use Splits and Panes for the Ultimate Linux Workflow!*, 2024. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umUalToecsA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umUalToecsA). *Learn Tmux (Part 3) - A Simple and Straight-Forward Look at Managing Windows*, 2023. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxscYpQsz_c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxscYpQsz_c). *Learn Tmux (Part 4) - Discover How to Manage Sessions within Tmux*, 2024. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zID5TGbi4Pg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zID5TGbi4Pg). *Learn Tmux (Part 5) - How to Customize Tmux and Make It Your Own!*, 2023. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f9rz7joEOA](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-f9rz7joEOA). GitHub. “Tmux Wiki.” Accessed September 2, 2024. [https://github.com/tmux/tmux/wiki/Home](https://github.com/tmux/tmux/wiki/Home).