My tmux config

What is Tmux?

Tmux (Terminal Multiplexer) is a powerful tool that enables multiple terminal sessions within a single window. It allows you to:

Split your terminal into multiple panes
Create multiple windows (like browser tabs)
Detach and reattach sessions
Share sessions with other users
Keep programs running even after disconnecting

Basic Concepts

Session: A collection of windows
Window: Like a tab in your browser, contains one or more panes
Pane: A split section of a window running a shell or program

Custom Configuration

Here’s a detailed tmux configuration that enhances usability and adds vim-like keybindings:

 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
10
11
12
13
14
15


# Enable mouse support and focus events
set -g mouse on
set -s focus-events on

# UTF-8 support
set -q -g status-utf8 on
setw -q -g utf8 on

# Key modes
set -g status-keys emacs
set -g mode-keys vi

# Change prefix from 'Ctrl+b' to 'Ctrl+a'
unbind C-b
set -g prefix 'C-a'

Copy Mode Configuration

 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19


# Enter copy mode with Alt+v
bind -n M-v copy-mode
bind p paste-buffer

# Copy to system clipboard (requires xclip)
bind-key -n -T copy-mode-vi Enter send-keys -X copy-pipe 'xclip -i -sel p -f | xclip -i -sel c'
bind-key -n -T copy-mode-vi MouseDragEnd1Pane send-keys -X copy-pipe 'xclip -i -sel p -f | xclip -i -sel c'

# Vim-like copy mode bindings
bind -T copy-mode-vi v send-keys -X begin-selection
bind -T copy-mode-vi C-v send-keys -X rectangle-toggle
bind -T copy-mode-vi K send-keys -N 5 -X cursor-up
bind -T copy-mode-vi J send-keys -N 5 -X cursor-down
bind -T copy-mode-vi H send-keys -X start-of-line
bind -T copy-mode-vi L send-keys -X end-of-line
bind -T copy-mode-vi Y send-keys -X copy-end-of-line
bind -T copy-mode-vi y send-keys -X copy-selection-and-cancel
bind -T copy-mode-vi = send-keys -X search-again
bind -T copy-mode-vi = send-keys -X search-reverse

 1
 2
 3
 4
 5
 6
 7
 8
 9
10
11
12
13
14
15


# Window navigation with Alt+p/n
bind -n M-p previous-window
bind -n M-n next-window

# Pane navigation with Alt+h/j/k/l
bind -n M-h select-pane -L
bind -n M-j select-pane -D
bind -n M-k select-pane -U
bind -n M-l select-pane -R

# Split panes using h/j/k/l
bind k split-window -vb -c "#{pane_current_path}"
bind j split-window -v -c "#{pane_current_path}"
bind h split-window -hb -c "#{pane_current_path}"
bind l split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}"

Key Binding Reference

Basic Operations

Ctrl+a: New prefix key (replaces default Ctrl+b)
Alt+v: Enter copy mode
p: Paste buffer

Window Management

Alt+n: Next window
Alt+p: Previous window

Alt+h: Select left pane
Alt+j: Select down pane
Alt+k: Select up pane
Alt+l: Select right pane

Pane Splitting

Prefix + h: Split horizontally (left)
Prefix + l: Split horizontally (right)
Prefix + j: Split vertically (down)
Prefix + k: Split vertically (up)

Copy Mode (Vi-style)

v: Begin selection
Ctrl+v: Rectangle toggle
y: Copy selection
`