Getting Started
tmux is a terminal multiplexer: it lets you create, access, and control any number of terminals from a single screen.
Verified Jun 2026 for tmux 3.6b
8 min read
beginner
Quick start
Install and start your first session in about 30 seconds.
1. Install — see the complete installation guide for every platform.
bash
brew install tmux2. Start a session — then learn more about session commands.
bash
tmux new -s my-sessionYou're now inside tmux. Press Ctrl+b then d to detach — your session
keeps running in the background. Reattach any time with tmux attach -t my-session.
Why use tmux?
tmux brings three superpowers to your terminal:
- Persistence — detach from a session and reattach later. Your running processes (servers, editors) stay alive across disconnects and reboots.
- Window management — split your terminal into multiple panes and windows. No more juggling 20 terminal tabs.
- Remote work — perfect for SSH. If your connection drops, your session is safe on the server, exactly where you left it.
The prefix key
Every tmux command starts with a prefix key — by default Ctrl+b. Press the prefix,
release it, then press the command key. For example, Ctrl+b then c creates a
new window, and Ctrl+b then % splits the current pane vertically.