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Starting tmux

The simplest way to start tmux is to run it without any arguments: 
$ tmux
This creates a new session with a single window. When tmux is started, it:
  • Creates a new session with a single window
  • Displays a status line at the bottom showing session information
  • Starts your default shell in the window

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Creating Named Sessions

It’s useful to name your sessions for easier management: 
$ tmux new-session -s myproject
$ tmux new -s myproject  # Short form

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The Prefix Key

tmux is controlled using a key combination of a prefix key followed by a command key. The default prefix is C-b (Ctrl-b).
To send a command to tmux, press the prefix key first, release it, then press the command key.

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Common Commands

After pressing the prefix key (C-b), you can use these commands:
KeyAction
?List all key bindings
:Enter the tmux command prompt
dDetach from the current session
cCreate a new window
[Enter copy mode
]Paste the most recently copied text

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Sessions

A session is a single collection of pseudo terminals under tmux management. Sessions persist even when you disconnect.
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Creating a Session
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tmux new-session -s work
tmux new -s work -n editor  # With window name
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Detaching from a Session
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Press C-b d or use:
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tmux detach
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The session continues running in the background.
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Listing Sessions
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$ tmux list-sessions
$ tmux ls  # Short form
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Attaching to a Session
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$ tmux attach-session -t work
$ tmux attach -t work  # Short form
$ tmux a -t work       # Even shorter
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If you omit the target, tmux attaches to the most recently used session:
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$ tmux attach
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Switching Between Sessions
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Inside tmux, press:
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  • C-b s - Interactive session selector
  • C-b ( - Switch to the previous session
  • C-b ) - Switch to the next session
  • C-b L - Switch to the last session

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    Windows

    Each session has one or more windows. A window occupies the entire screen and may be split into panes.

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    Window Navigation

    KeysAction
    C-b cCreate a new window
    C-b nMove to the next window
    C-b pMove to the previous window
    C-b lMove to the previously selected window
    C-b 0-9Select windows 0 to 9
    C-b 'Prompt for window index to select
    C-b wChoose window interactively
    C-b fPrompt to search for text in open windows

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    Window Management

    # Create a window with a name
tmux new-window -n editor

# Rename the current window
tmux rename-window -t 0 database

# Kill the current window
tmux kill-window -t 2
    Or use key bindings:
    • C-b , - Rename the current window
    • C-b & - Kill the current window (with confirmation)

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    Basic Panes

    Panes allow you to divide a window into multiple sections.

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    Creating Panes

    KeysAction
    C-b "Split the current pane horizontally (top and bottom)
    C-b %Split the current pane vertically (left and right)
    KeysAction
    C-b oSelect the next pane
    C-b ;Move to the previously active pane
    C-b Up/Down/Left/RightChange to the pane in that direction
    C-b qBriefly display pane indexes

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    The Command Prompt

    Press C-b : to enter the command prompt. This allows you to run any tmux command interactively. Examples: 
    # Create a new window with a specific name
:new-window -n logs

# Set a session option
:set-option -g status-style bg=cyan

# Show all options
:show-options -g

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    Getting Help

    Press C-b ? to see a list of all key bindings.

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    Configuration File

    tmux loads configuration from:
    1. /etc/tmux.conf (system-wide, if present)
    2. ~/.tmux.conf or $XDG_CONFIG_HOME/tmux/tmux.conf (user-specific)
    The configuration file contains tmux commands executed when the server starts.

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    Basic Configuration Example

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

# Start window numbering at 1
set-option -g base-index 1

# Enable mouse support
set-option -g mouse on

# Increase history limit
set-option -g history-limit 5000

# Customize status bar
set-option -g status-style bg=blue,fg=white

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    Reloading Configuration

    After editing your configuration file: 
    tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf
    Or bind it to a key in your config: 
    bind-key R source-file ~/.tmux.conf \; \
    display-message "Configuration reloaded"
    Then press C-b R to reload.

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    Common Workflows

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    Development Session

    Create a development environment with multiple windows: 
    # Create a new session
tmux new-session -s dev -n editor

# Create additional windows
tmux new-window -n console
tmux new-window -n server

# Split panes as needed
tmux select-window -t editor
tmux split-window -h

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    Remote Server Management

    # SSH and start tmux
ssh server.example.com
tmux new -s maintenance

# Run long-running tasks
# Detach with C-b d

# Later, reconnect and reattach
ssh server.example.com
tmux attach -t maintenance
    Sessions survive accidental disconnections, making tmux invaluable for SSH connections that might timeout.

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    Default Key Bindings Reference

    Here’s a complete reference of the default key bindings (all require pressing C-b first):
    • d - Detach from session
    • D - Choose a client to detach
    • s - Select a new session interactively
    • $ - Rename the current session
    • ( - Switch to previous session
    • ) - Switch to next session
    • L - Switch to last session
    • c - Create a new window
    • & - Kill the current window
    • n - Move to next window
    • p - Move to previous window
    • l - Move to previously selected window
    • 0-9 - Select windows 0 to 9
    • ' - Prompt for window index
    • , - Rename current window
    • . - Prompt for window index to move
    • w - Choose window interactively
    • f - Search for text in windows
    • " - Split pane horizontally
    • % - Split pane vertically
    • o - Select next pane
    • ; - Move to previously active pane
    • q - Show pane numbers
    • x - Kill current pane
    • z - Toggle pane zoom
    • ! - Break pane into window
    • { - Swap with previous pane
    • } - Swap with next pane
    • Up/Down/Left/Right - Move to pane in direction
    • C-Up/C-Down/C-Left/C-Right - Resize pane by 1 cell
    • M-Up/M-Down/M-Left/M-Right - Resize pane by 5 cells
    • Space - Cycle through preset layouts
    • M-1 to M-7 - Arrange in preset layouts
    • [ - Enter copy mode
    • ] - Paste buffer
    • # - List paste buffers
    • = - Choose buffer to paste interactively
    • - - Delete most recent paste buffer
    • : - Enter command prompt
    • ? - List key bindings
    • t - Show time
    • i - Display window information
    • ~ - Show previous messages
    • r - Force redraw
    • C-z - Suspend tmux client

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