Tmux Command Cheatsheet
Essential tmux commands and shortcuts for terminal multiplexing
DevOps
Tmux Command Cheatsheet
A comprehensive reference for tmux terminal multiplexer commands and shortcuts.
Getting Started
Installation
# Ubuntu/Debian
sudo apt install tmux
# macOS
brew install tmux
# CentOS/RHEL
sudo yum install tmux
Basic Usage
tmux # Start new session
tmux new -s mysession # Start new session with name
tmux ls # List sessions
tmux attach # Attach to last session
tmux attach -t mysession # Attach to named session
tmux kill-session -t mysession # Kill named session
Key Bindings
Default Prefix: Ctrl+b (shown as prefix below)
Session Management
prefix + d # Detach from session
prefix + $ # Rename session
prefix + ( # Move to previous session
prefix + ) # Move to next session
prefix + s # List sessions
Window Management
prefix + c # Create new window
prefix + , # Rename current window
prefix + & # Kill current window
prefix + n # Next window
prefix + p # Previous window
prefix + 0-9 # Switch to window by number
prefix + w # List windows
prefix + f # Find window by name
Pane Management
Creating Panes
prefix + % # Split vertically (left/right)
prefix + " # Split horizontally (top/bottom)
prefix + x # Kill current pane
Navigating Panes
prefix + arrow key # Move to pane in direction
prefix + o # Cycle through panes
prefix + q # Show pane numbers
prefix + q + number # Jump to pane by number
prefix + { # Swap with previous pane
prefix + } # Swap with next pane
Resizing Panes
prefix + Ctrl+arrow # Resize pane in direction
prefix + Alt+arrow # Resize pane in direction (5 cells)
prefix + z # Toggle pane zoom (fullscreen)
Pane Layouts
prefix + Space # Cycle through layouts
prefix + Alt+1 # Even horizontal layout
prefix + Alt+2 # Even vertical layout
prefix + Alt+3 # Main horizontal layout
prefix + Alt+4 # Main vertical layout
prefix + Alt+5 # Tiled layout
Copy Mode
prefix + [ # Enter copy mode
prefix + ] # Paste buffer
prefix + = # List all paste buffers
# In copy mode (vi-mode):
Space # Start selection
Enter # Copy selection
q # Quit copy mode
/ # Search forward
? # Search backward
n # Next search result
N # Previous search result
Other Useful Commands
prefix + : # Enter command mode
prefix + ? # List all key bindings
prefix + t # Show time
prefix + i # Display pane information
Command Mode
Enter command mode with prefix + :, then use these commands:
Session Commands
:new-session # Create new session
:new -s name # Create named session
:kill-session # Kill current session
:kill-session -t name # Kill named session
:rename-session name # Rename session
Window Commands
:new-window # Create new window
:new-window -n name # Create named window
:kill-window # Kill current window
:rename-window name # Rename window
:move-window -t number # Move window to position
Pane Commands
:split-window # Split horizontally
:split-window -h # Split vertically
:kill-pane # Kill current pane
:resize-pane -D 10 # Resize down 10 cells
:resize-pane -U 10 # Resize up 10 cells
:resize-pane -L 10 # Resize left 10 cells
:resize-pane -R 10 # Resize right 10 cells
Configuration (~/.tmux.conf)
Basic Configuration
# Change prefix to Ctrl+a
unbind C-b
set -g prefix C-a
bind C-a send-prefix
# Enable mouse support
set -g mouse on
# Start window numbering at 1
set -g base-index 1
setw -g pane-base-index 1
# Renumber windows when one is closed
set -g renumber-windows on
# Increase scrollback buffer
set -g history-limit 10000
# Enable vi mode
setw -g mode-keys vi
# Reduce escape time
set -sg escape-time 0
Custom Key Bindings
# Split panes using | and -
bind | split-window -h
bind - split-window -v
unbind '"'
unbind %
# Reload config
bind r source-file ~/.tmux.conf \; display "Config reloaded!"
# Switch panes using Alt+arrow without prefix
bind -n M-Left select-pane -L
bind -n M-Right select-pane -R
bind -n M-Up select-pane -U
bind -n M-Down select-pane -D
Status Bar Customization
# Status bar position
set -g status-position bottom
# Status bar colors
set -g status-bg colour234
set -g status-fg colour137
# Window status format
setw -g window-status-current-format ' #I#[fg=colour250]:#[fg=colour255]#W#[fg=colour50]#F '
setw -g window-status-format ' #I#[fg=colour237]:#[fg=colour250]#W#[fg=colour244]#F '
# Status bar content
set -g status-left ''
set -g status-right '#[fg=colour233,bg=colour241,bold] %d/%m #[fg=colour233,bg=colour245,bold] %H:%M:%S '
Advanced Features
Scripting Sessions
# Create a development session
tmux new-session -d -s dev
tmux rename-window -t dev:1 'editor'
tmux send-keys -t dev:1 'vim' C-m
tmux new-window -t dev:2 -n 'server'
tmux send-keys -t dev:2 'npm run dev' C-m
tmux new-window -t dev:3 -n 'shell'
tmux attach -t dev
Session Sharing
# Create a shared session
tmux -S /tmp/shared new -s shared
# Allow others to attach
chmod 777 /tmp/shared
# Others can attach with
tmux -S /tmp/shared attach -t shared
Synchronize Panes
# In command mode
:setw synchronize-panes on # Enable
:setw synchronize-panes off # Disable
# Or bind to a key
bind S setw synchronize-panes
Useful Workflows
Development Setup
# Create session with 3 panes
tmux new -s dev
prefix + " # Split horizontal
prefix + % # Split vertical on bottom pane
# Result: Editor top, terminal bottom-left, server bottom-right
Monitoring Setup
# Create monitoring session
tmux new -s monitor
prefix + " # Split horizontal
prefix + " # Split again
prefix + " # Split again
# Run different monitoring commands in each pane
# htop, tail -f logs, watch commands, etc.
Remote Work
# Start persistent session on server
ssh user@server
tmux new -s work
# Do your work...
# Detach (prefix + d) and logout
# Later, reconnect and reattach
ssh user@server
tmux attach -t work
Plugins (TPM - Tmux Plugin Manager)
Installation
# Clone TPM
git clone https://github.com/tmux-plugins/tpm ~/.tmux/plugins/tpm
# Add to ~/.tmux.conf
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tpm'
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-sensible'
# Initialize TPM (add at bottom of .tmux.conf)
run '~/.tmux/plugins/tpm/tpm'
Popular Plugins
# Resurrect - save/restore sessions
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-resurrect'
# Continuum - automatic save/restore
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-continuum'
# Yank - better copy/paste
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-yank'
# Pain control - better pane management
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-pain-control'
Plugin Commands
prefix + I # Install plugins
prefix + U # Update plugins
prefix + alt + u # Uninstall plugins
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
Colors not working
# Add to ~/.tmux.conf
set -g default-terminal "screen-256color"
Mouse not working
# Enable mouse in ~/.tmux.conf
set -g mouse on
Copy/paste issues
# macOS - install reattach-to-user-namespace
brew install reattach-to-user-namespace
# Add to ~/.tmux.conf
set -g default-command "reattach-to-user-namespace -l $SHELL"
Quick Reference Card
| Action | Command |
|---|---|
| New session | tmux new -s name |
| List sessions | tmux ls |
| Attach session | tmux attach -t name |
| Detach | prefix + d |
| New window | prefix + c |
| Next window | prefix + n |
| Split vertical | prefix + % |
| Split horizontal | prefix + " |
| Navigate panes | prefix + arrow |
| Resize pane | prefix + Ctrl+arrow |
| Zoom pane | prefix + z |
| Copy mode | prefix + [ |
| Paste | prefix + ] |
| Command mode | prefix + : |
| List keys | prefix + ? |
Tips
- Use meaningful session names - easier to identify and attach
- Learn copy mode - essential for working with terminal output
- Customize your prefix -
Ctrl+ais often more comfortable - Enable mouse support - makes tmux more accessible
- Use layouts - quickly organize panes
- Script your sessions - automate common setups
- Use plugins - extend functionality easily
- Keep config simple - start minimal, add as needed
- Practice shortcuts - muscle memory is key
- Detach, don't close - preserve your work
Resources
- Official Documentation: https://github.com/tmux/tmux/wiki
- Tmux Cheat Sheet: https://tmuxcheatsheet.com/
- Awesome Tmux: https://github.com/rothgar/awesome-tmux
- TPM: https://github.com/tmux-plugins/tpm