Essential Commands
Updated for tmux 3.4Master these key bindings to unlock tmux productivity. Default prefix is Ctrl+b. New to tmux? Start with core concepts to understand the fundamentals.
Last updated: January 23, 2025
→ Session Management
tmux new -s [name]
Create new named session
Example:
tmux new -s developmenttmux ls
List all active sessions
tmux attach -t [name]
Attach to named session
Example:
tmux attach -t developmentCtrl+b d
Detach from current session
Ctrl+b s
Interactive session selector
Ctrl+b $
Rename current session
→ Window Commands
Ctrl+b c
Create new window
Ctrl+b w
Interactive window selector
Ctrl+b n
Next window
Ctrl+b p
Previous window
Ctrl+b l
Toggle last window
Ctrl+b [0-9]
Switch to window by number
Ctrl+b ,
Rename window
Ctrl+b &
Kill window (with confirmation)
→ Pane Management
Ctrl+b %
Split pane horizontally (left/right)
Ctrl+b "
Split pane vertically (top/bottom)
Ctrl+b ←↑→↓
Navigate between panes
Ctrl+b o
Cycle through panes
Ctrl+b ;
Jump to last active pane
Ctrl+b q
Show pane numbers (type to jump)
Ctrl+b z
Zoom pane (toggle fullscreen)
Ctrl+b Space
Cycle through layouts
Ctrl+b Ctrl+←→↑↓
Resize pane by 1 cell
Ctrl+b x
Kill current pane
→ General Commands
Ctrl+b ?
List all key bindings
Ctrl+b :
Enter command mode
Ctrl+b t
Show clock
Ctrl+b ~
Show message history
🎨 Customize Prefix Key
The prefix key is the command that tells tmux "hey, listen to the next keypress". By default, it's Ctrl + b. Learn more about customizing this and other settings in the Configuration guide.
# Add to ~/.tmux.conf
unbind C-b
set-option -g prefix C-a
bind-key C-a send-prefix