Tmux Keyboard Shortcuts
tmux keeps sessions alive with windows and panes behind a Ctrl+b prefix. This track drills those chords — split, zoom, next window, detach — as real key sequences, plus a few attach/new CLI forms. Vim edits text; tmux multiplexes terminals.
Command Reference
pane
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
Ctrl+b z | Toggle the current pane full-screen. |
Ctrl+b ArrowLeft | Move focus to the pane on the left. |
Ctrl+b ArrowRight | Move focus to the pane on the right. |
Ctrl+b % | Split the current pane vertically (side by side). |
Ctrl+b x | Kill the current pane (with confirmation). |
Ctrl+b " | Split the current pane horizontally (stacked). |
Ctrl+b o | Move focus to the next pane. |
Ctrl+b ; | Toggle focus back to the last pane. |
Ctrl+b Space | Cycle the pane layout of the current window. |
Ctrl+b ! | Break the current pane into its own window. |
misc
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
Ctrl+b ? | List all key bindings. |
Ctrl+b [ | Enter copy mode to scroll and select text. |
Ctrl+b ] | Paste the contents of buffer_0. |
Ctrl+b : | Enter tmux command mode (prompt). |
window
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
Ctrl+b c | Create a new window in the current session. |
Ctrl+b n | Select the next window. |
Ctrl+b p | Select the previous window. |
Ctrl+b w | Open the interactive window list. |
Ctrl+b f | Find a window by name. |
Ctrl+b l | Select the previously active window. |
Ctrl+b & | Close the current window (with confirmation). |
Ctrl+b , | Rename the current window. |
cli
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
tmux | Start a new tmux session from the shell. |
tmux new -s <name> | Start a new named tmux session. |
tmux ls | List existing tmux sessions. |
tmux a | Attach to the most recently used session. |
tmux a -t <name> | Attach to a session by name. |
tmux kill-ses -t <name> | Kill a session by name. |
tmux kill-ses -a | Kill all sessions except the current one. |
session
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
Ctrl+b d | Detach the client from the current session (leave it running). |
Ctrl+b s | Show a chooser of all sessions. |
Ctrl+b $ | Rename the current session. |
Ctrl+b ( | Switch to the previous session. |
Ctrl+b ) | Switch to the next session. |
Key Use Cases
- Split a pane horizontally or vertically without leaving the keyboard
- Zoom one pane full-screen, then leave zoom
- Create a window, jump next/prev, and close it
- Detach from a remote session and reattach later by name
- Enter copy mode and paste buffer_0
- List sessions from the shell before you attach
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the tmux prefix?
By default, press Ctrl+b, release, then the command key (c, %, d, …). This track assumes Ctrl+b. A custom prefix in ~/.tmux.conf is not scored as an alias.
How is a pane different from a window?
A window is a tab in the session. A pane is a split inside one window. % and " create panes; c creates a window.
Does detach kill the session?
No. Ctrl+b d leaves processes running. Attach again with tmux a or tmux a -t <name>.
Why practice key sequences instead of only typing tmux commands?
Most day-to-day tmux work is inside a session with the prefix. CLI covers create/attach/kill from the shell; chords cover splits and navigation once you are attached.
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