Exploring Tmux: A Guide to Getting Started

Tmux is a popular terminal multiplexer that allows you to manage multiple terminals in a single window. It offers a range of features including the ability to split the screen into multiple panes, open multiple windows, and manage sessions. In this article, we’ll cover the basics of installing, using, and configuring tmux.

Installing Tmux

macOS:

brew install tmux

Linux:

sudo apt-get install tmux

Windows:

1. Download the latest version of tmux from the official website.

2. Extract the ZIP file to a folder on your computer.

3. Add the tmux folder to your PATH environment variable.

Opening Tmux

To open a tmux session, simply run the following command in your terminal:

tmux

This will create a new session with a single pane.

Splitting the Terminal

To split the terminal into multiple panes, you can use the following keybindings:

• Ctrl + b + %: Split the terminal vertically

• Ctrl + b + ‘"’ (double quote): Split the terminal horizontally

• Ctrl + b + o: Rotate the panes

  

Opening Windows and Panes

To open a new window, use the following keybinding:

• Ctrl + b + c: Create a new window

To switch between windows, use the following keybindings:

• Ctrl + b + n: Next window

• Ctrl + b + p: Previous window

• Ctrl + b + 0-9: Switch to window 0-9

To open a new pane within a window, use the following keybinding:

• Ctrl + b + ;: Create a new vertical pane

• Ctrl + b + Shift + ;: Create a new horizontal pane

Navigating Panes and Windows

To navigate between panes within a window, use the following arrow keys:

• Up arrow: Move to the pane above

• Down arrow: Move to the pane below

• Left arrow: Move to the pane to the left

• Right arrow: Move to the pane to the right

To navigate between windows, use the following keybindings:

• Ctrl + b + n: Next window

• Ctrl + b + p: Previous window

• Ctrl + b + 0-9: Switch to window 0-9

  

Detaching and Reattaching Sessions

To detach from a tmux session, use the following keybinding:

• Ctrl + b + d: Detach from the current session

To reattach to a detached session, use the following command in your terminal:

tmux attach

Conclusion

In this article, we covered the basics of installing, using, and configuring tmux. With its powerful features and ease of use, tmux is an invaluable tool for anyone who works with multiple terminals on a regular basis. Whether you’re a developer, system administrator, or just someone who wants to organize their terminal workflow, tmux is worth checking out.