The **Prefix Key** is the core of tmux. By default, it is Ctrl+b.
You must press and release the Prefix Key *before* pressing the Command Key for internal commands.
These commands are run directly in your shell (outside of a tmux session).
| Command | Action | Copy Command |
|---|---|---|
sudo apt install tmux (Ubuntu/Debian) |
Install tmux on your system. | |
tmux |
**Start a New Session** (usually named 0, 1, 2, etc.) and attach to it. | |
tmux new -s my_project |
Start a New Session and give it a specific name. | |
tmux ls |
List all currently running sessions. | |
tmux attach -t 0 |
**Re-attach** to session with ID 0. (Use name for named sessions). | |
tmux kill-session -t 0 |
Stop and remove a running session by ID. |
Run these while inside a tmux session using the **Prefix Key** (Ctrl+b).
| Prefix + Key | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+b then d | **Detach Session** | Disconnects your client, leaving the session running in the background. |
| Ctrl+b then s | **List Sessions** | Shows a list of all active sessions to switch between. |
| Ctrl+b then ? | Help | Shows a list of all keybindings (shortcuts). |
Panes split a single window into multiple sections.
| Prefix + Key | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+b then % | **Split Vertically** | Splits the current pane into two side-by-side. |
| Ctrl+b then " | **Split Horizontally** | Splits the current pane into two top-and-bottom. |
| Ctrl+b then x | **Close Pane** | Kills the current pane (asks for confirmation). |
| Prefix + Key | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+b then ←/↑/→/↓ | **Navigate** | Moves the cursor focus to the adjacent pane. |
| Ctrl+b then z | **Zoom** | Maximizes the current pane to fill the entire window. Press again to un-zoom. |
| Ctrl+b then o | **Cycle** | Moves to the next pane in the sequence. |
| Ctrl+b then space | **Toggle Layout** | Cycles through pre-defined pane arrangements. |
Windows are full-screen terminals within a session.
| Prefix + Key | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+b then c | **New Window** | Creates a new, empty window. |
| Ctrl+b then n | **Next Window** | Switches to the next window. |
| Ctrl+b then p | **Previous Window** | Switches to the previous window. |
| Ctrl+b then 0-9 | **Specific Window** | Switches directly to the window number (0 is the first). |
| Ctrl+b then , | **Rename Window** | Prompts you to enter a new name for the current window. |
Use this to scroll up and copy text, similar to using the mouse scroll wheel.
| Prefix + Key | Action | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Ctrl+b then [ | **Enter Copy Mode** | Allows you to scroll up using the arrow keys (or Vim/Emacs keys). |
| q or Esc | **Exit Copy Mode** | Exits scrollback/copy mode. |