Introduction to Tmux
Tmux (Terminal Multiplexer) is a tool that allows managing multiple terminals within a single window. In Linux, where the command line remains essential, Tmux becomes indispensable for developers and administrators. Unlike opening several tabs in a traditional emulator, Tmux keeps sessions active even after closing the SSH connection, allowing you to resume work exactly where you left off. Its model based on sessions, windows, and panes provides flexibility that surpasses most available multiplexers. Moreover, its free license and low resource consumption make it suitable for both servers and workstations.
Installation
Installing Tmux is simple on most distributions thanks to the official repositories.
- Ubuntu and Debian: sudo apt update && sudo apt install tmux
- Fedora: sudo dnf install tmux
- Arch Linux: sudo pacman -S tmux
- Compile from source: clone the GitHub repository and follow the build instructions.
- After installing, verify the version with tmux -V and start exploring its features immediately.
Basic Concepts
Tmux organizes its environment into three levels: sessions, windows, and panes. A session is a high-level container that can persist across connections and contains one or more windows. Each window acts like an independent tab and can be split into one or more panes. Panes are rectangular regions within a window that allow viewing and interacting with different terminals simultaneously. This hierarchy makes it easy to group related tasks, such as having one window for code, another for logs, and a third for debugging, all within the same session.