ConfigsApr 11, 2026·1 min read

tmux — Terminal Multiplexer for Sessions, Windows, Panes

tmux is a terminal multiplexer that lets you switch between several programs in one terminal, detach them, and reattach them to a different terminal. Essential for SSH workflows, long-running processes, and pair programming.

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Quick Use

Use it first, then decide how deep to go

This block should tell both the user and the agent what to copy, install, and apply first.

# Install
brew install tmux                        # macOS
sudo apt install tmux                    # Debian/Ubuntu

Basic workflow (default prefix Ctrl+b):

tmux new -s work          # Create session named work
tmux ls                    # List sessions
tmux attach -t work        # Reattach
tmux kill-session -t work  # Kill session

Inside tmux (after Ctrl+b):

  • c — new window
  • n / p — next / prev window
  • % — split vertical
  • " — split horizontal
  • arrows — move between panes
  • d — detach session
  • z — zoom current pane
  • [ — copy mode (scroll with arrows)
Intro

tmux (terminal multiplexer) lets you run multiple terminal sessions inside a single window. Create windows and panes, detach them (sessions keep running), and reattach later from any terminal — even after SSH disconnects. Essential tool for servers, long-running scripts, and pair programming.

What tmux Does

  • Sessions — top-level containers with multiple windows
  • Windows — full-screen tabs inside a session
  • Panes — splits inside a window
  • Detach/attach — keep sessions running in background
  • Scripting — tmux send-keys to drive panes
  • Copy mode — navigate scrollback, select, copy
  • Customization — .tmux.conf for prefix, status bar, colors
  • Plugins — via TPM (tmux plugin manager)

Architecture

tmux runs a server process that owns sessions. Clients (terminals) attach to the server. Multiple clients can attach to the same session for mirror/pair sessions. State persists across client disconnects.

Self-Hosting

CLI tool.

Key Features

  • Sessions survive logout/SSH disconnect
  • Multiple windows + panes
  • Copy mode with vi or emacs keybinds
  • Scriptable via CLI
  • Customizable status bar
  • Plugin ecosystem (TPM)
  • Works over ssh and mosh
  • Synchronized panes for running same cmd in multiple

Comparison

Tool Type Config Sessions
tmux TUI .tmux.conf Yes
screen TUI .screenrc Yes
Zellij TUI (Rust) YAML/KDL Yes
Byobu tmux/screen wrapper Simplified Yes
iTerm2 GUI GUI prefs Yes (in-app)

常见问题 FAQ

Q: 学习曲线？ A: 记住 prefix（默认 Ctrl+b）+ 10 个快捷键就能基本用。高级功能（resize、copy mode、macros）按需学。

Q: 和 Zellij 比？ A: Zellij 更现代（Rust、开箱即用 UI、图层预设），但 tmux 生态更成熟、服务器更稳定。

Q: SSH 断开怎么办？ A: 这正是 tmux 的价值。tmux new -s main 后运行任务，断开后 ssh 回来 tmux attach -t main 一切如初。

来源与致谢 Sources

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