tmux/Cheat Sheet

• tmux Cheat Sheet

  • Prefix key

    • Default: Ctrl+b (gpakosz/.tmux also maps Ctrl+a)

  • Session management

    • Command	Action
      tmux	Start a new session
      tmux new -s <name>	Start a new session with name
      tmux ls	List all sessions
      tmux attach / tmux a	Attach to the most recent session
      tmux attach -t <name>	Attach to a specific session
      tmux kill-session -t <name>	Terminate a specific session
      tmux kill-session -a	Kill all sessions except current
      tmux kill-server	Terminate all sessions and the server

  • Window management (within a session)

    • default prefix is ctrl+b (gpakosz/.tmux also maps Ctrl+a)

    • Shortcut (after prefix)	Action
      c	Create a new window
      ,	Rename current window
      &	Kill current window
      n	Next window
      p	Previous window
      w	List windows
      0..9	Select window by number
      $	Rename session (interactive)

  • Pane management

    • Shortcut (after prefix)	Action
      %	Split pane vertically (there will be a line going from top to bottom with terminals at left and right)
      "	Split pane horizontally (there will be a line going from left to right with terminals above and below)
      x	Kill current pane
      o	Switch to next pane
      ;	Toggle last active pane
      { / }	Move pane left / right
      z	Toggle zoom/focus on current pane
      <Arrow keys> (with prefix+Ctrl)	Resize pane in direction

  • Copy mode & scrolling

    • NOTE - tmux intercepts mouse wheel by default
      • if you need to pass mouse wheel through to an application like Claude/Code, use one of these two:
        • 1 - config approach
          • add to ~/.tmux.conf
            • tmux

              set -g mouse on

          • reload conf:
            • Ctrl-b : source-file ~/.tmux.conf
        • 2 - immediate application
          • ctrl-b : set -g mouse on
      • as of 2026-03-13 Fri, my dotfiles automatically are working with tmux and claude code, so this was likely a temporary thing

    • Shortcut	Action
      [	Enter copy mode
      ]	Paste buffer
      Space (in copy mode)	Begin text selection
      Enter (in copy mode)	Copy selection
      q	Exit copy mode
      Movement in copy mode	h/j/k/l, w, b, PgUp/PgDn etc.

  • Configuration (via ~/.tmux.conf)

    • Change prefix key: unbind C-b then set-option -g prefix C-a
    • tmux/setw - note, you have to enter the prefix and then colon before entering these commands, e.g. ctrl+b : then type the words
      • Rename windows by default: set-option -g base-index 1 / setw -g pane-base-index 1
      • Enable vi-keys in copy mode: setw -g mode-keys vi
      • Enable mouse support: setw -g mouse on

  • Quick reference terms

    • Session: A container of windows.
    • Window: Like a tab; contains one or more panes.
    • Pane: A split region within a window (runs a shell/program).
    • Client: A terminal attached to a session.
    • Server: Background process managing sessions.