tmux cheatsheet

Let's use tmux!

Reference: tmux shotcuts & cheatsheet

What is tmux?

tmux

• Terminal Multiplexer

• Allows you to split a single terminal to run multiple programs, and switch running programs to background mode and back

tmux can help resolve the following difficulties encountered when using a Linux shell:

1. SSH Client shell session timeout

2. Wanting to use one SSH connection across multiple shells

3. Switching between shell windows is cumbersome

4. Wanting previous work to remain when you close and reopen the shell

Key features

• Allows using multiple windows and panes in a single terminal window

• Keeps windows and panes maintained in a session

  • Sessions can persist even if the Internet disconnects!

• Sessions can be shared

Sessions, Windows, and Panes

Sessions

• The basic unit for running tmux

• Composed of multiple windows

• Can be thought of as creating a single virtualized console

Windows

• A terminal screen

• Can be used like tabs within a session

Panes

• Screen splits within a single window

Essential tmux commands

start new session:

tmux

start new with session name:

tmux new -s SESSION_NAME

attach:

tmux a  #  (or at, or attach)

attach to named:

tmux a -t SESSION_NAME

list sessions:

tmux ls

exit tmux:

ctrl d

kill session:

tmux kill-session -t SESSION_NAME

Kill all the tmux sessions:

tmux ls | grep : | cut -d. -f1 | awk '{print substr($1, 0, length($1)-1)}' | xargs kill

Prefix & Shortcuts

Prefix

• If no separate settings are configured in .tmux.conf, the default prefix is ctrl + b

• Combine the prefix with the commands below to use them

Changing the prefix

Open the ~/.tmux.conf file at the $HOME path with vi editor

sudo vi ~/.tmux.conf

Content to add to .tmux.conf:

# remap prefix from 'C-b' to 'C-a'
unbind C-b
set-option -g prefix C-a
bind-key C-a send-prefix

Apply the modified .tmux.conf:

tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf

Sessions

s  # list sessions
$  # name session

Windows (tabs)

c  # create window
w  # list windows
n  # next window
p  # previous window
f  # find window
,  # name window
&  # kill window

Panes (splits)

%  # vertical split
"  # horizontal split
o  # swap panes
q  # show pane numbers
x  # kill pane
+  # break pane into window (e.g. to select text by mouse to copy)
-  # restore pane from window
⍽  # space - toggle between layouts
q  # Show pane numbers, when the numbers show up type the key to goto that pane
{  # Move the current pane left
}  # Move the current pane right
z  # toggle pane zoom

Misc

d  # detach
t  # big clock
?  # list shortcuts
:  # prompt