Tmux

• Tmux is a terminal multiplexer. It enables a number of terminals to be created, accessed, and controlled from a single screen.

• Tmux may be detached from a screen and continue running in the background, then later reattached.

• Learn to use it, it will make life much easier.

Tmux Sessions

# Start a session
tmux
tmux new -s <name>

# Detach from a session
ctrl+B + D

# List tmux sessions
tmux ls

# Reattach to session
tmux a      # most recent session
tmux a -t <name of session> 

# Kill a session
tmux kill-session   # most recent session
tmux kill-session -t <name of session>

# Kill all sessions
tmux kill-server

Ctrl+B is a Prefix Key.

Get list of all sessions and windows

Ctrl+B + W

Tmux copy mode

• Update tmux conf file to enable more features

# Update the conf file
nano ~/.tmux.conf
# Write this in the file
set -g mouse on
setw -g mode-keys vi

• Now just highlight anything with mouse, it will be copied to clipboard.

• To avoid using mouse, follow these steps to copy text:

  • Enter copy mode Ctrl+B + [

  • Use directional arrows to move to the text.

  • Press Space Bar to start copying.

  • Once selected all text, hit Enter

  • Press Ctrl+B + ] to paste.

Tmux Windows

Windows are like tabs within a Tmux session. Each window can host one or more panes.

# Create a new window
Ctrl+B + C

# Rename current window
Ctrl+B + ,

# Move sequentially between windows
Ctrl+B + N

# Move between windows
Ctrl+B + <window index>

# Kill the current window
Ctrl+B + &

Tmux Panes

Panes are subdivisions within a single Tmux window, allowing you to split the screen horizontally or vertically.

# Horizontal split terminal
Ctrl+B + %

# Vertical split terminal
Ctrl+B + "

# Switch between panes in terminal
Ctrl+B + <arrow key in direction to move>

# Change size of pane
Ctrl+B + press Ctrl + arrow key

# Use predefined layouts of panes
Ctrl+B + Alt + 0-5

# Kill the current pane
Ctrl+B + X
Ctrl + D

My Tmux Configuration

# Change bottom bar color
set -g status-bg green
# enable mouse usage in tmux
set -g mouse on
# Sync tmux and system clipboard
bind-key -T copy-mode-vi MouseDragEnd1Pane send -X copy-pipe-and-cancel "xclip -selection clipboard -in"
# get some vim features
set-window-option -g mode-keys vi
# Open new window in the same directory as the current pane
bind c new-window -c "#{pane_current_path}"
# Horizontal split in current directory
bind '"' split-window -v -c "#{pane_current_path}"
# Vertical split in current directory
bind % split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}"
# Increase scrollback limit
set-option -g history-limit 1000
# Tmux logging plugin
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-logging'