# 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.

## Install

Save in your project root:

## Quick Use

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

Basic workflow (default prefix `Ctrl+b`):
```bash
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.

- **Repo**: https://github.com/tmux/tmux
- **Stars**: 44K+
- **Language**: C
- **License**: ISC

## 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

- GitHub: https://github.com/tmux/tmux
- License: ISC

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Source: https://tokrepo.com/en/workflows/6ed07802-35cb-11f1-9bc6-00163e2b0d79
Author: AI Open Source