tmux Cheat Sheet
tmux reference with sessions, windows, panes, copy mode, and terminal multiplexing commands. Essential for remote development.
Sessions
| Syntax | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Create a named session | tmux new -s dev | |
| List all sessions | tmux ls → dev: 1 windows | |
| Attach to a session | tmux attach -t dev (or tmux a -t dev) | |
| Kill a session | tmux kill-session -t dev | |
| Detach from session | Ctrl+b then d → detach | |
| Rename current session | Ctrl+b then $ → enter new name | |
| Switch between sessions | Ctrl+b then s → session list | |
| Switch to previous session | Ctrl+b then ( → previous session | |
| Switch to next session | Ctrl+b then ) → next session | |
| Kill all sessions and tmux | tmux kill-server → terminate everything |
Windows
| Syntax | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Create new window | Ctrl+b then c → new window | |
| Rename current window | Ctrl+b then , → enter new name | |
| Next / previous window | Ctrl+b then n → next window | |
| Switch to window by number | Ctrl+b then 2 → go to window 2 | |
| List and choose window | Ctrl+b then w → interactive list | |
| Kill current window | Ctrl+b then & → confirm kill | |
| Toggle last active window | Ctrl+b then l → switch back | |
| Find window by name | Ctrl+b then f → search |
Panes
| Syntax | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Split pane vertically | Ctrl+b then % → side by side | |
| Split pane horizontally | Ctrl+b then " → top and bottom | |
| Navigate between panes | Ctrl+b then → → move to right pane | |
| Cycle through panes | Ctrl+b then o → next pane | |
| Kill current pane | Ctrl+b then x → confirm close | |
| Toggle pane zoom (fullscreen) | Ctrl+b then z → zoom/unzoom | |
| Move pane left | Ctrl+b then { → swap left | |
| Move pane right | Ctrl+b then } → swap right | |
| Show pane numbers | Ctrl+b then q → press number to switch | |
| Cycle pane layouts | Ctrl+b then Space → toggle layout | |
| Break pane into new window | Ctrl+b then ! → pane becomes window |
Resizing
| Syntax | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Resize pane in direction | Ctrl+b then Ctrl+→ → grow right | |
| Resize pane by 5 cells | Ctrl+b then Alt+↑ → grow up by 5 | |
| Resize by n cells | :resize-pane -R 10 → grow right 10 |
Copy Mode
| Syntax | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Enter copy/scroll mode | Ctrl+b then [ → scroll with arrows/PgUp | |
| Exit copy mode | q → return to normal mode | |
| Start selection | Space → begin highlighting text | |
| Copy selection | Enter → copy highlighted text | |
| Paste from buffer | Ctrl+b then ] → paste copied text | |
| Search forward / backward | / → type search term, Enter |
Commands
| Syntax | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Enter command mode | Ctrl+b then : → type command | |
| Reload tmux config | Prefix + : → source-file ~/.tmux.conf | |
| Type in all panes simultaneously | :setw synchronize-panes on | |
| Swap window position | :swap-window -t 0 → move to position 0 | |
| Join pane to another window | :join-pane -t dev:1 | |
| List all key bindings | Ctrl+b then ? → show all shortcuts | |
| Show clock | Ctrl+b then t → display time |
Frequently asked questions
What is tmux and why should I use it?
tmux (terminal multiplexer) lets you create multiple terminal sessions within one window, split panes, and detach/reattach sessions. Key benefits: your work persists when you disconnect (SSH), you can organize terminals into logical groups, and you can share sessions for pair programming.
What's the difference between tmux and GNU Screen?
Both are terminal multiplexers. tmux has a more modern codebase, better scripting API, true split-pane support, and is more actively developed. Screen is older but still widely available. tmux is generally recommended for new users.
How do I customize tmux?
Edit ~/.tmux.conf. Common customizations: change prefix key, enable mouse, set vi mode, customize status bar colors, add plugins via TPM (tmux plugin manager). Reload with 'tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf' or Prefix + : source-file ~/.tmux.conf.
How do I scroll up in tmux?
Enter copy mode with Prefix + [ (Ctrl+b then [), then use arrow keys, PgUp/PgDn, or vi keys (if enabled) to scroll. Press q to exit. With mouse mode enabled, you can also scroll with your mouse wheel.
How do I copy text in tmux?
Enter copy mode (Prefix + [), navigate to start, press Space to begin selection, move to end, press Enter to copy. Paste with Prefix + ]. With vi mode: use v for selection, y to yank. For system clipboard integration, install xclip and add a keybinding.
What are the best tmux plugins?
Essential plugins: tmux-resurrect (session persistence), tmux-continuum (auto-save), tmux-sensible (sane defaults), tmux-yank (system clipboard), tmux-pain-control (better pane management). Install via TPM: git clone tpm, add plugins to .tmux.conf, Prefix + I to install.
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