tmux Terminal Cheat Sheet

What this tool does

This is a searchable quick reference for tmux, the terminal multiplexer that splits one terminal into sessions, windows, and side-by-side panes and keeps them running even after you disconnect. Nearly every tmux command starts with a prefix key: you press Ctrl-b, release it, then press the command key, so a shortcut written as Ctrl-b c means press Ctrl-b and then c. Rows that start with tmux are plain shell commands you run from your prompt. Each row pairs the exact keys with a plain-English note on what they do, and the whole list is built into the page so it works offline.

How to use it

Start typing in the Filter box. Entering split surfaces the pane-splitting shortcuts; entering detach jumps to Ctrl-b d; entering attach shows how to reconnect to a session. The category buttons (Sessions, Windows, Panes, Copy mode, Misc) narrow the table to one area and combine with the text filter, so you can pick Panes and type resize to zero in on sizing shortcuts. Clear the box to see the full sheet again. Remember that the default prefix is Ctrl-b unless you have rebound it in your config.

Common use cases

• Keeping a long build or download alive on a remote server by detaching with Ctrl-b d and reattaching later.
• Splitting one terminal into several panes to watch logs, run tests, and edit code at once.
• Recalling the exact key for a shortcut you use rarely, like breaking a pane out with Ctrl-b !.
• Scrolling back through output and copying text with copy mode instead of your mouse.
• Learning the core tmux workflow before setting up a shared pair-programming session.

Common pitfalls

• Forgetting the prefix. A shortcut like c does nothing on its own; you have to press the prefix Ctrl-b first, release it, then press the key. If nothing happens, you probably typed the command key without the prefix.
• Confusing detach with kill. Ctrl-b d detaches and leaves the session running, while tmux kill-session stops it for good. Detach when you want to come back; kill only when you are truly done.
• Rebinding the prefix and forgetting. Many configs remap the prefix to Ctrl-a. If the Ctrl-b shortcuts here do nothing, check your .tmux.conf for a different prefix binding.
• Getting stuck in copy mode. While in copy mode the normal keys behave differently. Press q to leave copy mode and return to your shell before typing commands again.