tmux for MAC
Free, open-source terminal multiplexer: split one terminal into windows and panes, and keep sessions running.
tmux Overview
tmux is a free, open-source terminal multiplexer. It lets you run several programs in one terminal, split into windows and side-by-side panes, and switch between them with the keyboard. Its most useful trick is sessions: detach from a session and everything in it keeps running, even after you close the terminal or lose an SSH connection, and reattach later exactly where you left off. tmux is developed by Nicholas Marriott and contributors and released under the ISC license.
On a Mac, install tmux with Homebrew (brew install tmux) or MacPorts and start it by typing tmux in Terminal. Commands start with a prefix key, Control-B by default, and almost everything can be changed in the ~/.tmux.conf configuration file. tmux 3.8 adds floating panes that sit above the others.
Key Features
tmux turns one terminal window into a whole workspace.
- Sessions: keep programs running in the background and reattach later, even over SSH.
- Windows and panes: split the screen horizontally and vertically into as many panes as you need.
- Floating panes: panes that float above the others, new in tmux 3.8.
- Keyboard control: move, resize and switch panes with the prefix key.
- Copy mode: scroll back, search and copy text with the keyboard.
- Status line: a customizable bar with windows, time and other details.
- Configuration: change key bindings, colors and behavior in ~/.tmux.conf.
- Scriptable: control tmux with commands from scripts and other tools.
What’s New in Version 3.8
tmux 3.8 brings floating panes and themes.
- Many improvements to floating panes, including moving, resizing and mouse dragging
- Modal panes that block the other panes until they are closed
- Layout strings in a JSON format that includes floating panes
- A new remain-on-exit setting that keeps a pane open after a failed command until a key is pressed
- Support for themes and better default colors
tmux FAQ
Is tmux free?
Yes. tmux is free and open source, released under the ISC license.
How do I install tmux on a Mac?
Run brew install tmux in Terminal if you use Homebrew, or install it with MacPorts. Then type tmux to start it.
What is a terminal multiplexer?
It is a program that runs several terminal sessions inside one window, split into windows and panes, and keeps them running in the background when you disconnect.
What is the tmux prefix key?
Most tmux commands start with the prefix key, Control-B by default. For example, Control-B then % splits the pane side by side, and Control-B then " splits it top and bottom.
How do I detach and reattach a tmux session?
Press Control-B then D to detach; everything keeps running. Run tmux attach to reattach, or tmux ls to list your sessions.
Why use tmux over SSH?
If your connection drops, programs running in a tmux session on the server keep running. Reconnect and reattach to continue where you left off.
Where is the tmux configuration file?
tmux reads ~/.tmux.conf. There you can change the prefix key, key bindings, colors, the status line and more.
How do I scroll back in tmux?
Enter copy mode with Control-B then [. Then you can scroll, search and copy text with the keyboard. Press q to leave.
What is new in tmux 3.8?
tmux 3.8 greatly improves floating panes, adds modal panes, a JSON layout format, themes and better default colors.
Where does the tmux download on tmux.FULLMAC.app come from?
The download button leads to tmux's official GitHub page at https://github.com/tmux/tmux, with the source code, releases and install information. tmux.FULLMAC.app does not change or repackage it.
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