tmux is a terminal multiplexer for Unix-like systems that allows multiple terminal sessions to run simultaneously within a single window, with sessions persisting even after disconnection. It enables detachable sessions that survive SSH drops, system reboots (with plugins), and accidental terminal closures — making it invaluable for remote work, long-running processes, and complex multi-pane workflows. The key mental model: sessions contain windows, windows contain panes — each layer offers progressively finer control over your terminal workspace, with the prefix key (Ctrl+b by default) serving as the gateway to all tmux commands.
What This Cheat Sheet Covers
This topic spans 19 focused tables and 161 indexed concepts. Below is a complete table-by-table outline of this topic, spanning foundational concepts through advanced details.
Table 1: Session Management
| Command | Example | Description |
|---|---|---|
tmux new -s work | Creates a new named session; sessions persist after disconnection and can be reattached later. | |
tmux attach -t work | Attaches to an existing session by name or ID; reconnects to your work exactly where you left off. | |
Ctrl+b d | Detaches from the current session; session continues running in the background. | |
tmux ls | Lists all active sessions with their names, window count, and creation time. | |
tmux kill-session -t work | Terminates a specific session and all its windows and panes; cannot be recovered. |