The Complete Tmux Command Guide: Every Command to 10x Your Productivity with a Terminal Multiplexer

# Ubuntu / Debian
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y tmux

# CentOS / RHEL / Rocky Linux
sudo yum install -y tmux
# or
sudo dnf install -y tmux

# macOS (Homebrew)
brew install tmux

# Arch Linux
sudo pacman -S tmux

# Build from source (when you need the latest version)
git clone https://github.com/tmux/tmux.git
cd tmux
sh autogen.sh
./configure && make
sudo make install

tmux -V
# tmux 3.5a

Tmux Server (background process)
  └── Session (logical work unit)
        ├── Window 0 (similar to tabs)
        │     ├── Pane 0 (split region)
        │     ├── Pane 1
        │     └── Pane 2
        ├── Window 1
        │     ├── Pane 0
        │     └── Pane 1
        └── Window 2
              └── Pane 0

# Create default session (auto-named: 0, 1, 2, ...)
tmux

# Create session with a name
tmux new -s dev

# Create with name and start in a specific directory
tmux new -s project -c ~/workspace/my-project

# Create session and immediately run a command
tmux new -s monitoring 'htop'

# Create session without attaching (background)
tmux new -s background -d

# Create with window name specified
tmux new -s dev -n editor

# List sessions
tmux ls
# or
tmux list-sessions

# Example output:
# dev: 3 windows (created Mon Mar  1 10:00:00 2026)
# monitoring: 1 windows (created Mon Mar  1 10:05:00 2026)
# background: 2 windows (created Mon Mar  1 10:10:00 2026) (attached)

<prefix> s    # Show session list interactively

# Attach to the last used session
tmux attach
# or
tmux a

# Attach to a specific session
tmux attach -t dev
# or
tmux a -t dev

# Force attach even if another client is connected (detaches existing client)
tmux attach -dt dev

<prefix> d    # Detach from current session

# Detach a specific client (from outside)
tmux detach-client -t dev

<prefix> $    # Rename current session (prompt appears)

# Rename session from outside
tmux rename-session -t old_name new_name

<prefix> s    # Select and switch from session list
<prefix> (    # Switch to previous session
<prefix> )    # Switch to next session

# Switch to a specific session from outside (when already attached)
tmux switch-client -t monitoring

# Kill a specific session
tmux kill-session -t dev

# Kill all sessions except the current one
tmux kill-session -a

# Kill all sessions except a specific one
tmux kill-session -a -t dev

# Kill the entire Tmux server (kills all sessions)
tmux kill-server

# Exit or Ctrl-d in the last window/pane to close the session
exit

# Pattern: attach if session exists, create if not
tmux new -A -s dev

# This is equivalent to:
# tmux has-session -t dev 2>/dev/null && tmux attach -t dev || tmux new -s dev

<prefix> c    # Create new window

# Create window from command line
tmux new-window

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

# Create window in a specific directory
tmux new-window -c ~/workspace/logs -n logs

# Create window at a specific position (index)
tmux new-window -t 3

<prefix> ,    # Rename current window (prompt appears)

# Rename window from command line
tmux rename-window -t 0 editor

<prefix> 0~9  # Jump directly to window number (0-9)
<prefix> n    # Move to next window
<prefix> p    # Move to previous window
<prefix> l    # Toggle to last used window
<prefix> w    # Interactively select from window list
<prefix> '    # Enter window index to jump to (useful for 10+)
<prefix> f    # Search by window name to jump

# Change window order (move current window to position 3)
tmux move-window -t 3

# Move window to another session
tmux move-window -t other_session:

# Move window to specific position in another session
tmux move-window -t other_session:2

# Swap current window with a specific window
tmux swap-window -t 0

# Renumber windows (remove gaps)
tmux move-window -r

<prefix> &    # Close current window (confirmation prompt shown)

# Close specific window from command line
tmux kill-window -t 2

# Close all windows except the current one
tmux kill-window -a

# List windows across all sessions
tmux list-windows -a

# List windows in a specific session
tmux list-windows -t dev

<prefix> %    # Vertical split (left-right)
<prefix> "    # Horizontal split (top-bottom)

# Split panes from command line
tmux split-window          # Horizontal split
tmux split-window -h       # Vertical split

# Split in a specific directory
tmux split-window -h -c ~/workspace

# Split with a specific size (30% of total)
tmux split-window -p 30
tmux split-window -h -p 40

# Split with specific row/column count
tmux split-window -l 10      # 10 rows high
tmux split-window -h -l 40   # 40 columns wide

# Split and run a command
tmux split-window 'tail -f /var/log/syslog'

<prefix> Arrow keys(Up/Down/Left/Right)    # Navigate panes with arrow keys
<prefix> o               # Cycle to next pane
<prefix> ;               # Toggle to last active pane
<prefix> q               # Show pane numbers (press number to jump to that pane)

<prefix> Ctrl-Arrow      # Resize by 1 cell
<prefix> Alt-Arrow       # Resize by 5 cells

# Resize from command line
tmux resize-pane -D 5     # Expand down by 5
tmux resize-pane -U 5     # Expand up by 5
tmux resize-pane -L 10    # Expand left by 10
tmux resize-pane -R 10    # Expand right by 10

<prefix> z    # Toggle current pane zoom (full screen <-> original size)

<prefix> {    # Move current pane to previous position
<prefix> }    # Move current pane to next position
<prefix> Ctrl-o  # Rotate all panes counter-clockwise
<prefix> Alt-o   # Rotate all panes clockwise

# Swap specific panes
tmux swap-pane -s 0 -t 1

# Move pane to another window (join)
tmux join-pane -t :1          # Move current pane to window 1
tmux join-pane -s :2 -t :1    # Move pane from window 2 to window 1

# Break pane into a separate window
<prefix> !    # Break current pane into new window

# Break pane into new window from command line
tmux break-pane
tmux break-pane -t 1    # Break pane 1 into new window

<prefix> Space    # Cycle to next layout
<prefix> Alt-1    # even-horizontal (all panes evenly horizontal)
<prefix> Alt-2    # even-vertical (all panes evenly vertical)
<prefix> Alt-3    # main-horizontal (main pane on top, rest on bottom)
<prefix> Alt-4    # main-vertical (main pane on left, rest on right)
<prefix> Alt-5    # tiled (evenly tiled)

even-horizontal          even-vertical
+------+------+------+   +------------------+
|      |      |      |   |     Pane 0       |
| P0   | P1   | P2   |   +------------------+
|      |      |      |   |     Pane 1       |
|      |      |      |   +------------------+
+------+------+------+   |     Pane 2       |
                         +------------------+

main-horizontal          main-vertical
+------------------+     +----------+-------+
|     Pane 0       |     |          | P1    |
|    (main)        |     |  Pane 0  +-------+
+--------+---------+     |  (main)  | P2    |
|  P1    |   P2    |     |          +-------+
+--------+---------+     |          | P3    |
                         +----------+-------+

tiled
+---------+---------+
|  P0     |  P1     |
+---------+---------+
|  P2     |  P3     |
+---------+---------+

<prefix> x    # Close current pane (confirmation prompt shown)

# Close pane from command line
tmux kill-pane
tmux kill-pane -t 2    # Close pane 2

# Close all panes except the current one
tmux kill-pane -a

# Mark pane (toggle)
<prefix> m    # Toggle mark on current pane

# Swap marked pane with current pane
tmux swap-pane

<prefix> [    # Enter copy mode
q             # Exit copy mode (or Esc)

# Set Vi mode in .tmux.conf (strongly recommended)
setw -g mode-keys vi

/search_term     # Search downward (Vi mode)
?search_term     # Search upward (Vi mode)
n                # Move to next search result
N                # Move to previous search result

Ctrl-s      # Incremental search downward
Ctrl-r      # Incremental search upward

1. <prefix> [          # Enter copy mode
2. Navigate to start point with movement keys
3. Space              # Begin selection
4. Navigate to end point with movement keys
5. Enter              # Copy selection (saved to tmux buffer)

# Add Vi-style copy/paste bindings (.tmux.conf)
bind -T copy-mode-vi v send-keys -X begin-selection
bind -T copy-mode-vi y send-keys -X copy-selection-and-cancel
bind -T copy-mode-vi r send-keys -X rectangle-toggle

<prefix> ]    # Paste tmux buffer contents

# List buffers
tmux list-buffers

# View specific buffer contents
tmux show-buffer -b 0

# Save buffer to file
tmux save-buffer -b 0 ~/buffer.txt

# Load file contents into buffer
tmux load-buffer ~/content.txt

# Delete buffer
tmux delete-buffer -b 0

# .tmux.conf
set -g history-limit 50000

# .tmux.conf - Change to Ctrl-a (GNU Screen style)
unbind C-b
set -g prefix C-a
bind C-a send-prefix

# Change to Ctrl-Space (recommended)
unbind C-b
set -g prefix C-Space
bind C-Space send-prefix

# Basic syntax
bind-key [options] key command
# Shorthand
bind key command

# Bind without Prefix (-n flag)
bind -n M-Left select-pane -L     # Alt-Left to move to left pane
bind -n M-Right select-pane -R    # Alt-Right to move to right pane
bind -n M-Up select-pane -U       # Alt-Up to move to upper pane
bind -n M-Down select-pane -D     # Alt-Down to move to lower pane

# Repeatable bindings (-r flag)
bind -r h resize-pane -L 5
bind -r j resize-pane -D 5
bind -r k resize-pane -U 5
bind -r l resize-pane -R 5

# Preserve current path on split
bind '"' split-window -v -c "#{pane_current_path}"
bind '%' split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}"
bind c new-window -c "#{pane_current_path}"

# Unbind a specific key
unbind-key C-b
# Shorthand
unbind C-b

# Unbind all key bindings (use with caution)
unbind -a

<prefix> ?    # Show all key binding list

# View from command line
tmux list-keys
tmux list-keys | grep split    # Filter specific commands

# Instantly reload config file
bind r source-file ~/.tmux.conf \; display-message "Config reloaded!"

# More intuitive split keys
bind | split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}"
bind - split-window -v -c "#{pane_current_path}"

# Renumber windows
bind R move-window -r \; display-message "Windows renumbered!"

# Synchronize mode toggle (simultaneous input to all panes)
bind S setw synchronize-panes \; display-message "Sync #{?synchronize-panes,ON,OFF}"

# Session selection shortcut
bind C-s choose-session

# Run lazygit in popup window (tmux 3.2+)
bind g display-popup -E -w 80% -h 80% "lazygit"

# Run htop in popup window
bind t display-popup -E -w 80% -h 80% "htop"

# ~/.tmux.conf

# -------------------------------------------------
# Basic Settings
# -------------------------------------------------

# Change Prefix to Ctrl-a
unbind C-b
set -g prefix C-a
bind C-a send-prefix

# Start indexes from 1 (0 key is at the far right of keyboard, inconvenient)
set -g base-index 1
setw -g pane-base-index 1

# Renumber windows when closing
set -g renumber-windows on

# History size
set -g history-limit 50000

# Reduce escape time (for Vim users)
set -sg escape-time 0

# Repeat key input wait time
set -g repeat-time 600

# Enable focus events (for Vim/Neovim integration)
set -g focus-events on

# Reload config
bind r source-file ~/.tmux.conf \; display-message "Config reloaded!"

# Enable mouse support (tmux 2.1+)
set -g mouse on

# What you can do with the mouse:
# - Click panes to switch focus
# - Drag pane borders to resize
# - Scroll wheel to browse history
# - Drag text to enter copy mode and select

# Use Vi key bindings in copy mode
setw -g mode-keys vi

# Vi-style copy
bind -T copy-mode-vi v send-keys -X begin-selection
bind -T copy-mode-vi V send-keys -X select-line
bind -T copy-mode-vi y send-keys -X copy-selection-and-cancel
bind -T copy-mode-vi r send-keys -X rectangle-toggle
bind -T copy-mode-vi Escape send-keys -X cancel

# Vi mode for status line commands
set -g status-keys vi

# -------------------------------------------------
# Status Bar Settings
# -------------------------------------------------

# Status bar position (top or bottom)
set -g status-position bottom

# Status bar refresh interval (seconds)
set -g status-interval 5

# Status bar colors
set -g status-style 'bg=#1e1e2e,fg=#cdd6f4'

# Left status bar
set -g status-left-length 50
set -g status-left '#[fg=#1e1e2e,bg=#89b4fa,bold] #S #[fg=#89b4fa,bg=#1e1e2e] '

# Right status bar
set -g status-right-length 100
set -g status-right '#[fg=#585b70]| #[fg=#cdd6f4]%Y-%m-%d #[fg=#585b70]| #[fg=#cdd6f4]%H:%M #[fg=#89b4fa,bg=#1e1e2e]#[fg=#1e1e2e,bg=#89b4fa,bold] #H '

# Current window style
setw -g window-status-current-format '#[fg=#1e1e2e,bg=#a6e3a1,bold] #I:#W#{?window_zoomed_flag, Z,} '

# Inactive window style
setw -g window-status-format '#[fg=#585b70] #I:#W '

# Window list alignment
set -g status-justify left

# 256 color support
set -g default-terminal "screen-256color"

# True Color (24-bit) support
set -ga terminal-overrides ",xterm-256color:Tc"
# or for alacritty
set -ga terminal-overrides ",alacritty:Tc"

# Pane border colors
set -g pane-border-style 'fg=#585b70'
set -g pane-active-border-style 'fg=#89b4fa'

# Message style
set -g message-style 'fg=#cdd6f4,bg=#1e1e2e,bold'

# Copy mode highlight color
setw -g mode-style 'fg=#1e1e2e,bg=#f5c2e7,bold'

# macOS (pbcopy/pbpaste)
bind -T copy-mode-vi y send-keys -X copy-pipe-and-cancel "pbcopy"
bind -T copy-mode-vi MouseDragEnd1Pane send-keys -X copy-pipe-and-cancel "pbcopy"

# Linux (xclip)
bind -T copy-mode-vi y send-keys -X copy-pipe-and-cancel "xclip -in -selection clipboard"
bind -T copy-mode-vi MouseDragEnd1Pane send-keys -X copy-pipe-and-cancel "xclip -in -selection clipboard"

# Linux (xsel)
bind -T copy-mode-vi y send-keys -X copy-pipe-and-cancel "xsel --clipboard --input"

# Linux (wl-copy, Wayland)
bind -T copy-mode-vi y send-keys -X copy-pipe-and-cancel "wl-copy"

# Cross-platform auto-detection
if-shell "uname | grep -q Darwin" {
    bind -T copy-mode-vi y send-keys -X copy-pipe-and-cancel "pbcopy"
} {
    bind -T copy-mode-vi y send-keys -X copy-pipe-and-cancel "xclip -in -selection clipboard"
}

# ===============================================================
# ~/.tmux.conf - Production-Optimized Configuration
# ===============================================================

# --- Prefix -------------------------------------------------------
unbind C-b
set -g prefix C-a
bind C-a send-prefix

# --- Basic Settings -----------------------------------------------
set -g base-index 1
setw -g pane-base-index 1
set -g renumber-windows on
set -g history-limit 50000
set -sg escape-time 0
set -g repeat-time 600
set -g focus-events on
set -g mouse on
setw -g mode-keys vi
set -g status-keys vi

# --- Colors -------------------------------------------------------
set -g default-terminal "screen-256color"
set -ga terminal-overrides ",xterm-256color:Tc"

# --- Key Bindings -------------------------------------------------
# Reload config
bind r source-file ~/.tmux.conf \; display "Reloaded!"

# Intuitive splits (preserve current path)
bind | split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}"
bind - split-window -v -c "#{pane_current_path}"
bind c new-window -c "#{pane_current_path}"
unbind '"'
unbind %

# Vi-style pane navigation
bind h select-pane -L
bind j select-pane -D
bind k select-pane -U
bind l select-pane -R

# Pane resize
bind -r H resize-pane -L 5
bind -r J resize-pane -D 5
bind -r K resize-pane -U 5
bind -r L resize-pane -R 5

# Alt + arrow for prefix-less pane navigation
bind -n M-Left select-pane -L
bind -n M-Right select-pane -R
bind -n M-Up select-pane -U
bind -n M-Down select-pane -D

# Shift + arrow for window switching
bind -n S-Left previous-window
bind -n S-Right next-window

# Synchronize toggle
bind S setw synchronize-panes \; display "Sync #{?synchronize-panes,ON,OFF}"

# --- Copy Mode ----------------------------------------------------
bind -T copy-mode-vi v send-keys -X begin-selection
bind -T copy-mode-vi V send-keys -X select-line
bind -T copy-mode-vi y send-keys -X copy-pipe-and-cancel "pbcopy"
bind -T copy-mode-vi r send-keys -X rectangle-toggle

# --- Status Bar ---------------------------------------------------
set -g status-position bottom
set -g status-interval 5
set -g status-style 'bg=#1e1e2e,fg=#cdd6f4'
set -g status-left-length 50
set -g status-left '#[fg=#1e1e2e,bg=#89b4fa,bold] #S #[default] '
set -g status-right '#[fg=#cdd6f4]%Y-%m-%d %H:%M #[fg=#1e1e2e,bg=#89b4fa,bold] #H '
setw -g window-status-current-format '#[fg=#1e1e2e,bg=#a6e3a1,bold] #I:#W#{?window_zoomed_flag, Z,} '
setw -g window-status-format '#[fg=#585b70] #I:#W '

# --- Pane Borders -------------------------------------------------
set -g pane-border-style 'fg=#585b70'
set -g pane-active-border-style 'fg=#89b4fa'

git clone https://github.com/tmux-plugins/tpm ~/.tmux/plugins/tpm

# Plugin list
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tpm'
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-sensible'
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-resurrect'
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-continuum'
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-yank'

# TPM initialization (must be at the very end of .tmux.conf)
run '~/.tmux/plugins/tpm/tpm'

<prefix> I        # Install plugins
<prefix> U        # Update plugins
<prefix> Alt-u    # Remove unused plugins (Uninstall)

set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-sensible'

set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-resurrect'

# Vim session restoration (optional)
set -g @resurrect-strategy-vim 'session'
# Neovim session restoration (optional)
set -g @resurrect-strategy-nvim 'session'
# Restore pane contents
set -g @resurrect-capture-pane-contents 'on'

<prefix> Ctrl-s    # Save session
<prefix> Ctrl-r    # Restore session

set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-continuum'

# Auto-save every 15 minutes
set -g @continuum-save-interval '15'

# Auto-restore on Tmux server start
set -g @continuum-restore 'on'

# Auto-start Tmux on system boot (macOS)
set -g @continuum-boot 'on'
set -g @continuum-boot-options 'iterm'

set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-yank'

# Keep copy mode after copying (default exits)
set -g @yank_action 'copy-pipe'

# Send command to current pane
tmux send-keys "ls -la" Enter

# Send to a specific session, window, and pane
tmux send-keys -t dev:1.0 "npm start" Enter

# Send Ctrl-c (interrupt running process)
tmux send-keys -t dev:1.0 C-c

# Send multiple keys in sequence
tmux send-keys -t dev:1.0 "cd ~/project" Enter "git status" Enter

session:window.pane
dev:1.0         # dev session, window 1, pane 0
:2.1            # current session, window 2, pane 1
monitoring:     # monitoring session, current window

#!/bin/bash
# dev-env.sh - Development environment auto-setup script

SESSION="dev"
PROJECT_DIR="$HOME/workspace/my-project"

# Kill existing session if it exists
tmux kill-session -t $SESSION 2>/dev/null

# Create new session (detached mode, first window name: editor)
tmux new-session -d -s $SESSION -n editor -c $PROJECT_DIR

# Run Neovim in editor window
tmux send-keys -t $SESSION:editor "nvim ." Enter

# Create server window
tmux new-window -t $SESSION -n server -c $PROJECT_DIR
tmux send-keys -t $SESSION:server "npm run dev" Enter

# Create logs window (horizontal split)
tmux new-window -t $SESSION -n logs -c $PROJECT_DIR
tmux send-keys -t $SESSION:logs "tail -f logs/app.log" Enter
tmux split-window -v -t $SESSION:logs -c $PROJECT_DIR
tmux send-keys -t $SESSION:logs.1 "tail -f logs/error.log" Enter

# Create test window
tmux new-window -t $SESSION -n test -c $PROJECT_DIR
tmux send-keys -t $SESSION:test "npm test -- --watch" Enter

# Create git window
tmux new-window -t $SESSION -n git -c $PROJECT_DIR
tmux send-keys -t $SESSION:git "git status" Enter

# Move to first window
tmux select-window -t $SESSION:editor

# Attach to session
tmux attach -t $SESSION

# Install via Ruby gem
gem install tmuxinator

# macOS
brew install tmuxinator

# Start project
tmuxinator start my-project
# Shorthand
mux my-project

# Stop project
tmuxinator stop my-project

# Default popup (auto-closes on exit)
tmux display-popup

# Specify size and position
tmux display-popup -w 80% -h 60% -x C -y C

# Command execution popup
tmux display-popup -E "htop"
tmux display-popup -E -w 90% -h 90% "lazygit"

# Register popup as key binding
bind g display-popup -E -w 80% -h 80% "lazygit"
bind f display-popup -E -w 60% -h 60% "fzf --preview 'cat {}' | xargs nvim"

# 1. Connect to remote server
ssh user@remote-server

# 2. Start Tmux session
tmux new -s work

# 3. Perform work (build, deploy, monitoring, etc.)
make build && make deploy

# 4. SSH connection drops or intentional detach
# <prefix> d or network disconnect

# 5. Reconnect and resume session
ssh user@remote-server
tmux attach -t work
# All work is preserved exactly as you left it!

# Developer A: Create session
tmux new -s pair

# Developer B: SSH to same server and attach to session
tmux attach -t pair

# Both developers share the same screen in real-time

# Install tmate
brew install tmate    # macOS
sudo apt install tmate  # Ubuntu

# Start tmate session
tmate

# Connection URL is displayed
# SSH: ssh xxxxx@lon1.tmate.io
# Web: https://tmate.io/t/xxxxx

# Enable/disable synchronize mode
<prefix> :setw synchronize-panes on
<prefix> :setw synchronize-panes off

# Problem: Vim/Neovim colors are broken inside Tmux

# Solution: Add to .tmux.conf
set -g default-terminal "screen-256color"
set -ga terminal-overrides ",*256col*:Tc"

# Problem: Neovim's ESC response is slow inside Tmux

# Solution: Add to .tmux.conf
set -sg escape-time 0

# Solution: Enable mouse support
set -g mouse on

# Solution: Verify UTF-8 settings
# Check terminal locale settings
locale
# Should show LANG=ko_KR.UTF-8 or en_US.UTF-8

# Add to .bashrc or .zshrc
export LANG=en_US.UTF-8
export LC_ALL=en_US.UTF-8

Level 1 (Day 1)
+-- tmux new / attach / detach / ls / kill-session
+-- <prefix> c / n / p (window create/switch)
+-- <prefix> % / " (pane split)

Level 2 (Week 1)
+-- Pane navigation (<prefix> arrow keys)
+-- Pane zoom (<prefix> z)
+-- Copy mode (<prefix> [)
+-- Basic .tmux.conf settings

Level 3 (Week 2)
+-- Custom key bindings
+-- Status bar customization
+-- Clipboard integration
+-- Mouse settings

Level 4 (Month 1)
+-- TPM plugin system
+-- tmux-resurrect / continuum
+-- send-keys scripting
+-- tmuxinator / tmuxp session automation

Level 5 (Continuous improvement)
+-- display-popup usage
+-- Synchronize panes mode
+-- Nested Tmux operation
+-- Pair programming session sharing