Code & computing / QUICK REFERENCE
tmux
Sessions that survive disconnects, windows for each task, and panes that fit the way you work.
Start, detach and reconnect
- Start a named session
tmux new -s workCreates work and attaches this terminal. [1]
- List sessions
tmux lsShows the available sessions. [1]
- Attach by name
tmux attach -t workReconnects to an existing session. [1]
- Create or attach
tmux new -A -s workReuses work if it already exists. [1]
- Start detached
tmux new -d -s batchCreates a session without taking over your terminal. [1]
- Detach this client
- Ctrl+b, d
Leaves the programs running. [1]
- Choose a session
- Ctrl+b, s
Opens the interactive session chooser. [1]
- Rename the session
- Ctrl+b, $
Prompts for a new session name. [1]
Organize windows
- New window
- Ctrl+b, c
Starts another window in this session. [1]
- Window chooser
- Ctrl+b, w
Browses sessions and windows together. [1]
- Next window
- Ctrl+b, n
Moves forward through window indexes. [1]
- Previous window
- Ctrl+b, p
Moves backward through window indexes. [1]
- Last window
- Ctrl+b, l
Returns to the previously active window. [1]
- Choose window zero
- Ctrl+b, 0
Selects index 0, when present. [1]
- Rename a window
- Ctrl+b, ,
Changes the current window label. [1]
- Find a window
- Ctrl+b, f
Prompts for text to locate a window. [1]
Split and move between panes
- Split left and right
- Ctrl+b, %
Places panes side by side. [2]
- Split top and bottom
- Ctrl+b, "
Places one pane above the other. [2]
- Move focus
- Ctrl+b, Arrow key
Selects a pane in that direction. [2]
- Next pane
- Ctrl+b, o
Cycles through panes. [2]
- Display pane numbers
- Ctrl+b, q
Press a shown number to select it. [2]
- Zoom the active pane
- Ctrl+b, z
Toggles a pane-sized/full-window view. [2]
- Cycle layouts
- Ctrl+b, Space
Tries the predefined pane arrangements. [2]
- Swap with previous pane
- Ctrl+b, {
Exchanges pane positions. [2]
- Swap with next pane
- Ctrl+b, }
Exchanges pane positions. [2]
- Break pane into window
- Ctrl+b, !
Moves the pane to its own window. [2]
Scrollback and buffers
- Enter copy mode
- Ctrl+b, [
Starts scrollback navigation. [2]
- Paste the latest buffer
- Ctrl+b, ]
Sends the saved buffer to the active program. [2]
- Choose a paste buffer
- Ctrl+b, =
Opens the buffer chooser. [2]
- List saved buffers
tmux list-buffersInspects tmux buffers from the shell. [2]
- Show latest buffer
tmux show-bufferPrints its contents; inspect for sensitive text. [2]
- Copy-mode exit
- q (Emacs mode) / Esc (vi mode)
Exit keys depend on mode-keys; check the installed bindings. [2]
Inspect and adjust
- Show key help
- Ctrl+b, ?
Lists the installed bindings. [2]
- Command prompt
- Ctrl+b, :
Accepts tmux commands without the tmux prefix. [2]
- Show current prefix
tmux show-options -gv prefixReveals a customized prefix key. [2]
- Show copy-mode key style
tmux show-options -gwv mode-keysReports emacs or vi navigation. [2]
- Enable mouse interaction
tmux set -g mouse onApplies to the running server; persistence needs configuration. [2]
- Reload a configuration
tmux source-file ~/.tmux.confExecutes the trusted settings in that file. [2]
- List panes
tmux list-panes -aInspects pane identifiers across sessions. [2]
- Check installed version
tmux -VUse the matching local man page for version-specific behavior. [2]
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Sources
cheatsheetatlas.com/sheets/tmux/ · Updated 2026-10-19 · tmux 3.x · default key map