By running commands in the terminal, you can perform many tasks faster than with a graphical application. But command prompts aren't very good for multitasking, at least not without help. And this is where tmux comes into play.
Tmux, or Terminal Multiplexer, is a command line utility that allows you to run and display multiple commands at once in a single terminal window. Each command is in its own pane, just like using a full tile pane manager.
To help you get started with tmux, we've put together the most important tmux terms and commands on the cheat sheet below.
FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as PDF to download from our sales partner TradePub. You'll need to fill out a short form just to get access to it for the first time. Download the cheat sheet for the essential Tmux commands.
The Essential Tmux Commands Cheat Sheet
| abbreviation | action |
|---|---|
| General | |
| ¹Ctrl + b | Standard prefix key |
| t | Show time (ESC returns to the terminal) |
| :: | Enter a command (example: ": new-session") |
| List commands | List all commands supported by tmux |
| Tmux conditions | |
| field | An open command prompt (or a dummy terminal). Windows can be displayed side by side or stacked vertically in a window. |
| window | Your view of open panes |
| session | A series of open windows |
| client | The background process that displays your session |
| server | A single server manages all open sessions (server and clients are separate processes that each communicate via a socket in / tmp.) |
| Create and manage windows | |
| %. | Split the screen or window in half vertically and create a new window on the right |
| "" | Split the screen or window in half horizontally and create a new window at the bottom |
| Arrow key | Switch to the adjacent area |
| Ö | Go to the next area |
| q | Show window numbers (if numbers are shown, press the number to move to that area) |
| { | Move the current area to the left |
| }} | Move the current area to the right |
| x | Close the current area |
| Ctrl + arrow key | Change the size of the area in one cell increments |
| Alt + arrow key | Resize the window in steps of five cells |
| Alt + 1 | Arrange the windows in the evenly horizontal preset layout |
| Alt + 2 | Arrange the windows in the evenly vertical preset layout |
| Alt + 3 | Arrange the windows in the preset main horizontal layout |
| Alt + 4 | Arrange the windows in the vertical pre-set main layout |
| Alt + 5 | Arrange the windows in the tiled preset layout |
| Create and manage Windows | |
| c | Create a new window |
| ! | Detach the window in a new window |
| n | Switch to the previous window (in order of creation) |
| p | Switch to the next window (in order of creation) |
| l | Go to the last window you used |
| w | List all windows and their corresponding numbers |
| Window number | Switch to the appropriate window |
| , | Rename the current window |
| I | Show information about the current window |
| f | Search for text in open windows (ESC ends the search) |
| Create and manage sessions | |
| New session | Create a new session |
| $ | Rename current session |
| List sessions | List open sessions |
| Attach session | Create a new client and attach it to the specified session (-t target session). |
| Disconnect the target session from the client | Disconnect clients attached to the current session |
| Kill session | Destroy the current or specified session |
| ¹To activate a shortcut you must first press and release the Prefix key and then press the key combination. | |
More help with the Linux command line
The above commands allow you to work with multiple windows, windows and sessions in tmux. If you really want to make tmux your own, you can further edit the configuration file saved in the following location:
/etc/tmux.conf
You can also try your hand at scripting.
If you work exclusively from the terminal, installing tmux is the same as installing a window manager. This gives you more flexibility when working on servers or other devices with no monitor attached. Have fun exploring tmux! If you're looking for more command line resources, check out our Linux commands reference cheat sheet next.
If you are tired of dealing with the fragmentation of the Android operating system and are looking for an affordable smartphone, an Android One phone might be the one for you.
About the author
Bertel King
(324 articles published)
Bertel is a digital minimalist who writes from a laptop with physical privacy switches and an operating system recommended by the Free Software Foundation. He values ethics over functions and helps others take control of their digital lives.
More from Bertel King
Subscribe to our newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter for tech tips, reviews, free e-books, and exclusive deals!
One more step …!
Please confirm your email address in the email we just sent you.
