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tmux shortcuts & cheatsheet

tmux shortcuts & cheatsheet

start new:

tmux

start new with session name:

tmux new -s myname

attach:

tmux a  #  (or at, or attach)

attach to named:

tmux a -t myname

list sessions:

tmux ls

kill session:

tmux kill-session -t myname

Kill all the tmux sessions:

tmux ls | grep : | cut -d. -f1 | awk '{print substr($1, 0, length($1)-1)}' | xargs kill

In tmux, hit the prefix ctrl+b (my modified prefix is ctrl+a) and then:

List all shortcuts

to see all the shortcuts keys in tmux simply use the bind-key ? in my case that would be CTRL-B ?

Sessions

:new<CR>  new session
s  list sessions
$  name session

Windows (tabs)

c  create window
w  list windows
n  next window
p  previous window
f  find window
,  name window
&  kill window

Panes (splits)

%  vertical split
"  horizontal split

o  swap panes
q  show pane numbers
x  kill pane
+  break pane into window (e.g. to select text by mouse to copy)
-  restore pane from window
⍽  space - toggle between layouts
<prefix> q (Show pane numbers, when the numbers show up type the key to goto that pane)
<prefix> { (Move the current pane left)
<prefix> } (Move the current pane right)
<prefix> z toggle pane zoom

Sync Panes

You can do this by switching to the appropriate window, typing your Tmux prefix (commonly Ctrl-B or Ctrl-A) and then a colon to bring up a Tmux command line, and typing:

:setw synchronize-panes

You can optionally add on or off to specify which state you want; otherwise the option is simply toggled. This option is specific to one window, so it won’t change the way your other sessions or windows operate. When you’re done, toggle it off again by repeating the command. tip source

Resizing Panes

You can also resize panes if you don’t like the layout defaults. I personally rarely need to do this, though it’s handy to know how. Here is the basic syntax to resize panes:

PREFIX : resize-pane -D (Resizes the current pane down)
PREFIX : resize-pane -U (Resizes the current pane upward)
PREFIX : resize-pane -L (Resizes the current pane left)
PREFIX : resize-pane -R (Resizes the current pane right)
PREFIX : resize-pane -D 20 (Resizes the current pane down by 20 cells)
PREFIX : resize-pane -U 20 (Resizes the current pane upward by 20 cells)
PREFIX : resize-pane -L 20 (Resizes the current pane left by 20 cells)
PREFIX : resize-pane -R 20 (Resizes the current pane right by 20 cells)
PREFIX : resize-pane -t 2 -L 20 (Resizes the pane with the id of 2 left by 20 cells)

Copy mode:

Pressing PREFIX [ places us in Copy mode. We can then use our movement keys to move our cursor around the screen. By default, the arrow keys work. we set our configuration file to use Vim keys for moving between windows and resizing panes so we wouldn’t have to take our hands off the home row. tmux has a vi mode for working with the buffer as well. To enable it, add this line to .tmux.conf:

setw -g mode-keys vi

With this option set, we can use h, j, k, and l to move around our buffer.

To get out of Copy mode, we just press the ENTER key. Moving around one character at a time isn’t very efficient. Since we enabled vi mode, we can also use some other visible shortcuts to move around the buffer.

For example, we can use "w" to jump to the next word and "b" to jump back one word. And we can use "f", followed by any character, to jump to that character on the same line, and "F" to jump backwards on the line.

   Function                vi             emacs
   Back to indentation     ^              M-m
   Clear selection         Escape         C-g
   Copy selection          Enter          M-w
   Cursor down             j              Down
   Cursor left             h              Left
   Cursor right            l              Right
   Cursor to bottom line   L
   Cursor to middle line   M              M-r
   Cursor to top line      H              M-R
   Cursor up               k              Up
   Delete entire line      d              C-u
   Delete to end of line   D              C-k
   End of line             $              C-e
   Goto line               :              g
   Half page down          C-d            M-Down
   Half page up            C-u            M-Up
   Next page               C-f            Page down
   Next word               w              M-f
   Paste buffer            p              C-y
   Previous page           C-b            Page up
   Previous word           b              M-b
   Quit mode               q              Escape
   Scroll down             C-Down or J    C-Down
   Scroll up               C-Up or K      C-Up
   Search again            n              n
   Search backward         ?              C-r
   Search forward          /              C-s
   Start of line           0              C-a
   Start selection         Space          C-Space
   Transpose chars                        C-t

Misc

d  detach
t  big clock
?  list shortcuts
:  prompt

Configurations Options:

# Mouse support - set to on if you want to use the mouse
* setw -g mode-mouse off
* set -g mouse-select-pane off
* set -g mouse-resize-pane off
* set -g mouse-select-window off

# Set the default terminal mode to 256color mode
set -g default-terminal "screen-256color"

# enable activity alerts
setw -g monitor-activity on
set -g visual-activity on

# Center the window list
set -g status-justify centre

# Maximize and restore a pane
unbind Up bind Up new-window -d -n tmp \; swap-pane -s tmp.1 \; select-window -t tmp
unbind Down
bind Down last-window \; swap-pane -s tmp.1 \; kill-window -t tmp

Resources:

Notes:

Changelog:

Request an Update:

We Noticed that our Cheatsheet is growing and people are coloberating to add new tips and tricks, so please tweet to me what would you like to add and let's make it better!

@cherryyan1987

cherryyan1987 commented Aug 3, 2026

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This tmux cheatsheet is super helpful, especially the pane splitting and navigation shortcuts. It reminds me of how powerful gesture control can be for creative tasks, like with Gesture Synth.

@cherryyan1987

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This tmux cheatsheet is super handy! I've been looking for a quick reference for common commands. It reminds me a bit of how you have to make strategic choices to navigate complex relationships and different paths in games like Invoked.

@zhaobingkun

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I built a small reference for comparing LLM API costs across direct provider APIs and OpenRouter. The main thing I wanted to avoid was mixing the two channels into one price: the pages show each route separately, link the values to sources, and let you test input/output volume with a token calculator.

If you are comparing models for a real workload, the LLM API pricing guides may be useful as a starting point. I would still verify current rates, limits, latency, and data policies with the provider before making a production decision.

@makeqiang321-cell

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Great article! I've been using Sprunki Pyramixed. Welcome to sprunkipyramixed.app, home to Sprunki Pyramixed— the Egyptian-themed Incredibox mod created by Pyramix. We host free browser-based music creation games that you can play instantly with no downloads, no accounts, and no payments..

@noobM3

noobM3 commented Aug 13, 2026

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This tmux cheatsheet is incredibly handy for managing sessions and splits. Keeping these shortcuts close by saves a lot of time during long terminal sessions. To maintain focus and stay relaxed during deep coding work, I often play ambient background sounds from https://aiasmr.lol/ while working. It pairs really well with a minimalist command-line workflow. Thanks for sharing this reference!

@noobM3

noobM3 commented Aug 13, 2026

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This tmux cheatsheet is incredibly handy for keeping terminal sessions organized, especially when multitasking. Since many of us spend long hours at the terminal managing sessions, taking quick breaks is essential. For a quick health check during downtime, you can try https://aiskinanalyzer.net/ to get a free skin analysis. Thanks for sharing these shortcuts; the session management commands are exactly what I needed to reference.

@hill2hill

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The setw synchronize-panes note is a crucial reminder—it's easy to forget it's window-specific and accidentally broadcast commands across all panes. The vi-mode copy movement (setw -g mode-keys vi) is another great tip for staying on the home row. A helpful resource for a break: mistfall hunter builds.

@cherryyan1987

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I especially appreciate the section on copy mode and the vi keybindings. It's made navigating and copying text within tmux so much easier for me. play the choicer voicer

@cherryyan1987

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This is a great cheatsheet! I've been looking for a good tmux reference, and this covers all the essentials. The copy mode section is particularly helpful. The Choicer Voicer

@conceptestimatingco

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Concept Estimating is a professional construction estimating company offering quantity takeoffs, material estimates, and bid preparation services. Serving contractors, subcontractors, architects, and developers, the company delivers precise cost estimates for residential, commercial, industrial, and civil projects. Their expert solutions help improve budgeting accuracy, reduce project risks, and increase bid success rates.

@youyouguoke

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This is the clearest tmux reference I’ve come across. I especially appreciate the distinction between sessions, windows, and panes laid out in one place. I’ve been using tmux new -s myname for a while, but I always forget the attach syntax and end up Googling it—having tmux a -t myname right here is going to save me time.

One feature I’ve started using heavily is setw synchronize-panes. The article notes that it only affects the current window, which is a nice safety net. It’s incredibly useful when I need to run the same command on multiple SSH sessions, but I’ve also almost accidentally run something destructive because I forgot it was on. Do you have any tricks for making it visually obvious that sync is enabled, like a status-bar indicator in .tmux.conf?

The resize-pane commands are also something I never memorized. I usually just drag borders with the mouse, but resize-pane -D 20 and the -t target variant feel much more precise. And thanks for including the copy mode note—setting setw -g mode-keys vi made navigating the scrollback buffer far more comfortable for me since I’m already used to Vim keys. I did notice the article cuts off the copy-mode exit command; in case anyone else is wondering, q exits copy mode and Enter or y copies the selection depending on your setup.

One minor warning: the “Kill all the tmux sessions” pipeline is powerful, but it’s a blunt instrument. I prefer tmux kill-server when I truly want everything gone, just to avoid any weird parsing issues with session names.

It’s funny—tinkering with tmux configs feels a lot like building a custom basketball player where every skill and shortcut shapes how you play. If you enjoy that kind of creative customization, you might have fun with https://hoopervault.com, a basketball build game where you draft legendary abilities and craft your own Hooper. Both projects are really about optimizing your ideal setup one decision at a time.

@ATATAATT

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This tmux cheat sheet is absolutely fantastic—a total lifesaver for server management! When I'm troubleshooting Nginx logs or managing multiple Docker containers, I constantly rely on the split-screen features; the % and " shortcuts are ones I use almost every day.

By the way, if you ever want to step away from the command line to spark some creativity, you might enjoy a web platform I run: randomobjectgenerator. It's a fun little tool for generating random concepts and objects.

@LiveMediaTools

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Looking for a quick, memorable way to surprise someone on their birthday? Aibirthdaysongmaker.com turns a name and a joke into a fully‑recorded birthday anthem in just a few minutes. The AI writes the lyrics, records the vocals, and hands you a polished MP3 that’s ready to share—no studio or musical talent required. Whether you’re gifting a birthday gift, planning a party playlist, or creating content for social media, this handy tool delivers professional‑sounding tunes that feel personal and genuinely joyful. Try it and give your loved one a song that’s as unique as they are.
Learn more

@LiveMediaTools

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Looking for a straightforward way to make your product stand out? BidKing.lol offers a clear, pay‑to‑promote model where the highest bidder gets the top spot—no hidden algorithms or review bottlenecks. It’s a simple, transparent system that puts price and visibility in your hands, ideal for those who want instant prominence. Visit https://bidking.lol to see how a modest investment can put your listing in front of everyone looking to buy.

@clarkloveProduct

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Sounds like a solid mix of vibes here, but if you're stuck on the basics, hit up this resource for some killer tips on getting all the juicy details right. Just don’t overthink it, you know? https://fieldsofmistriaguides.wiki/

@sunbuilds

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Really useful tmux cheatsheet — I keep coming back to it when running multiple development and AI tasks in parallel.

I've also been experimenting with AI image generation workflows recently and built [GPT Image 3](https://gptimage3.dev/) for testing image generation and editing directly in the browser.

Thanks for keeping this cheatsheet updated!

@huangziyu1221

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King AIGenerate Videos from Any Text or Photo

@choicervoicerapp

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This is an extremely practical and well-organized tmux cheatsheet! Having all these essential shortcuts for sessions, panes, and copy mode in one place saves so much time during daily terminal workflows.

For anyone looking for creative audio and voice interaction tools, check out The Choicer Voicer APP.

@choicervoicerapp

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This is a really useful tmux reference — concise, well organized, and genuinely practical. I especially like how the sessions, windows, panes, and copy mode sections are laid out; it’s the kind of cheat sheet you end up bookmarking and coming back to.

As someone who also works on game-related tools, I appreciate resources that make repetitive workflows a little easier. I recently put together a collection of downloadable voice, dub, and mod packs for The Choicer Voicer, so it’s nice to see the same kind of practical, community-driven approach here. Thanks for maintaining this!

@sksekar

sksekar commented Aug 30, 2026

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This is very useful. For some reason, the mouse config did't work for me (got "Invalid option") . Used set -g mouse on instead.

@cherryyan1987

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This is a great tmux cheatsheet, really handy for quick reference. Speaking of useful tools, has anyone tried The Choicer Voicer for some party fun? It looks like a neat way to liven up gatherings.
uncanny-cat-golf.org/the-choicer-voicer

@noobM3

noobM3 commented Sep 3, 2026

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Great cheatsheet—the pane syncing commands and copy-mode bindings are especially helpful when monitoring data pipelines across multiple terminal splits. When running background tasks alongside web lookup tools like https://linkedinpostdateextractor.com/ to verify exact post timestamps from URLs, keeping organized tmux sessions makes managing logs and commands much smoother. Thanks for compiling such a clear reference.

@anthisse

anthisse commented Sep 3, 2026

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Why are most of the comments LLM-generated advertisements 💔💔💔💔💔

@zhaobingkun

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Getting into Fatal Frontier 1869?
Here’s a handy wiki for guides, Pioneers, gold, extraction, and survival tips.

@zhaobingkun

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Getting into Fatal Frontier 1869?
Here’s a handy wiki for guides, Pioneers, gold, extraction, and survival tips.

Fatal Frontier 1869 Wiki

@zhaobingkun

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Getting into Fatal Frontier 1869?
Here’s a handy wiki for guides, Pioneers, gold, extraction, and survival tips.
Fatal Frontier 1869 Wiki

@Microhx

Microhx commented Sep 8, 2026

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This tmux cheat sheet is super handy! I always forget the kill command. By the way, if you ever need to make a meme from a terminal screenshot, try the Bad Quality Image Maker for that perfect crunchy look.

@ATATAATT

ATATAATT commented Sep 8, 2026

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Simple, intuitive, and incredibly easy to use — no learning curve, just pure convenience. hero siege wiki

@talha168518

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Great resource! Managing code snippets and dev tools efficiently saves so much time during technical projects. For anyone looking to test or check winter closure odds and algorithms, feel free to check out https://www.predictsnowday.com/ as well. Thanks for sharing this Gist!

@geometrydas12

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Thank you for compiling such a comprehensive tmux shortcuts cheatsheet! It's incredibly useful for streamlining workflows, especially when juggling multiple terminal sessions. The clarity of your layout makes it easy to absorb the material. This efficiency is reminiscent of how "space waves" in technology can enhance communication—bridging gaps effortlessly. Keep up the fantastic work!

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