Finally learned tmux properly. Game changer for remote work and managing multiple terminal sessions.
Why Tmux?
Main benefit: Detach from sessions without killing processes.
# SSH into server
ssh server.com
# Start tmux
tmux new -s deploy
# Run long process
./deploy.sh
# Connection drops? No problem!
# Reconnect and reattach:
ssh server.com
tmux attach -t deploy
# Still running! ✅
Also: Multiple windows and panes in one terminal.
Install
brew install tmux # macOS
sudo apt install tmux # Linux
Essential Commands
Sessions
# Create
tmux new -s myproject
# Detach (keeps running)
Ctrl-b d
# List sessions
tmux ls
# Reattach
tmux attach -t myproject
# Kill session
tmux kill-session -t myproject
Windows (like tabs)
Ctrl-b c # New window
Ctrl-b , # Rename window
Ctrl-b n/p # Next/previous window
Ctrl-b 0-9 # Switch to window 0-9
Panes (split screen)
Ctrl-b % # Split vertical
Ctrl-b " # Split horizontal
Ctrl-b arrows # Navigate panes
Ctrl-b x # Close pane
Ctrl-b z # Zoom/unzoom pane
My Config
~/.tmux.conf:
# Better prefix (Ctrl-a instead of Ctrl-b)
unbind C-b
set -g prefix C-a
# Mouse support
set -g mouse on
# Start windows at 1, not 0
set -g base-index 1
# Vi mode for copy
setw -g mode-keys vi
# Easier splits
bind | split-window -h
bind - split-window -v
# Reload config
bind r source-file ~/.tmux.conf \; display "Reloaded!"
Plugins (TPM)
Install TPM:
git clone https://github.com/tmux-plugins/tpm ~/.tmux/plugins/tpm
Add to ~/.tmux.conf:
# Plugins
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tpm'
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-sensible'
# Theme
set -g @plugin 'catppuccin/tmux'
# Session save/restore
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-resurrect'
# Init TPM (keep at bottom)
run '~/.tmux/plugins/tpm/tpm'
Install plugins: Ctrl-b I
Session Resurrection
With tmux-resurrect:
Ctrl-b Ctrl-s # Save session
Ctrl-b Ctrl-r # Restore session
Survives reboots!
Copy Mode
Ctrl-b [ # Enter copy mode
# Use vi keys to navigate
Space # Start selection
Enter # Copy
Ctrl-b ] # Paste
My Workflow
Project session:
tmux new -s project
# Window 0: Editor
nvim
# Window 1: Server
Ctrl-b c
npm run dev
# Window 2: Tests
Ctrl-b c
npm test --watch
# Window 3: Git
Ctrl-b c
git status
Detach at end of day, reattach tomorrow. Everything exactly as I left it.
Quick Tips
Rename session:
tmux rename-session -t old-name new-name
Share session (pair programming):
# Both users attach to same session
tmux attach -t pair
Kill all sessions:
tmux kill-server
Nested tmux: If running tmux inside tmux, press prefix twice:
Ctrl-b Ctrl-b c # New window in inner tmux
Resources
That’s it. Start with basic sessions and splits. Add more as you need it.
Most useful: SSH + tmux = never lose work due to connection drops.