Split, Zoom, Detach: tmux is the Productivity Tool You’re Missing

Ever wished you could split your terminal into panes, keep sessions alive after SSH disconnects, or switch between projects lightning fast? Meet tmux. Whether you're managing servers, coding in the CLI, or just want better multitasking, tmux can massively boost your productivity. What is tmux? tmux (Terminal MUltipleXer) is a command-line tool that lets you: Split your terminal into multiple panes Run multiple windows in one terminal session Keep your work running even if your SSH session dies Switch between projects quickly Customize keybindings and workflows Installing tmux On macOS: brew install tmux On Ubuntu/Debian: sudo apt install tmux Start with the Basics tmux You’re inside a tmux session. Now let’s learn how to use it. Understanding the "Prefix" Most tmux shortcuts start with a prefix key. Default prefix = Ctrl + b That means when you see a shortcut like: Ctrl + b, then c It means: Hold Ctrl and press b Release both Press c Remember step 2 always, beginners often make the mistake of not releasing the buttons, like i did back when i started :) Essential tmux Shortcuts Here are the most useful tmux shortcuts you'll actually use. Window Management Shortcut What It Does Ctrl+b c Create a new window Ctrl+b n Next window Ctrl+b p Previous window Ctrl+b w List all windows Ctrl+b & Close current window Windows are like tabs — each has its own terminal instance. Pane Management (splitting windows) Shortcut What It Does Ctrl+b " Split window horizontally Ctrl+b % Split window vertically Ctrl+b o Switch to next pane Ctrl+b ; Go to last active pane Ctrl+b x Kill the current pane Ctrl+b z Toggle zoom (full-screen a pane) Session Management Sessions are like "workspaces" you can detach and reattach to. Shortcut/Command What It Does tmux new -s mysession Start a new named session Ctrl+b d Detach from session tmux ls List sessions tmux attach -t mysession Reattach to a named session tmux kill-session -t mysession Kill a session This is gold when working with remote servers — disconnect safely and come back later. Wrapping Up tmux might feel a bit weird at first, but once you get used to it, it’s like having superpowers inside your terminal. If you: SSH into servers Use the terminal for coding Want to never lose your work again …then give tmux a try. Cheat Sheet Summary tmux # start a session tmux new -s name # new named session tmux ls # list sessions tmux attach -t name # reattach Ctrl+b c # new window Ctrl+b n / p # next/prev window Ctrl+b % / " # split vertical / horizontal Ctrl+b o # move between panes Ctrl+b d # detach session If you're a software developer who enjoys exploring different technologies and techniques like this one, check out LiveAPI. It’s a super-convenient tool that lets you generate interactive API docs instantly. So, if you’re working with a codebase that lacks documentation, just use LiveAPI to generate it and save time! You can instantly try it out here!

May 1, 2025 - 20:24

Split, Zoom, Detach: tmux is the Productivity Tool You’re Missing

Ever wished you could split your terminal into panes, keep sessions alive after SSH disconnects, or switch between projects lightning fast? Meet tmux. Whether you're managing servers, coding in the CLI, or just want better multitasking, tmux can massively boost your productivity.

What is `tmux`?

tmux (Terminal MUltipleXer) is a command-line tool that lets you:

Split your terminal into multiple panes
Run multiple windows in one terminal session
Keep your work running even if your SSH session dies
Switch between projects quickly
Customize keybindings and workflows

Installing `tmux`

On macOS:

brew install tmux

On Ubuntu/Debian:

sudo apt install tmux

Start with the Basics

tmux

You’re inside a tmux session.

Now let’s learn how to use it.

Understanding the "Prefix"

Most tmux shortcuts start with a prefix key.

Default prefix = Ctrl + b

That means when you see a shortcut like:

Ctrl + b, then c

It means:

Hold Ctrl and press b
Release both
Press c

Remember step 2 always, beginners often make the mistake of not releasing the buttons, like i did back when i started :)

Essential tmux Shortcuts

Here are the most useful tmux shortcuts you'll actually use.

Window Management

Shortcut	What It Does
`Ctrl+b c`	Create a new window
`Ctrl+b n`	Next window
`Ctrl+b p`	Previous window
`Ctrl+b w`	List all windows
`Ctrl+b &`	Close current window

Windows are like tabs — each has its own terminal instance.

Pane Management (splitting windows)

Shortcut	What It Does
`Ctrl+b "`	Split window horizontally
`Ctrl+b %`	Split window vertically
`Ctrl+b o`	Switch to next pane
`Ctrl+b ;`	Go to last active pane
`Ctrl+b x`	Kill the current pane
`Ctrl+b z`	Toggle zoom (full-screen a pane)

Session Management

Sessions are like "workspaces" you can detach and reattach to.

Shortcut/Command	What It Does
`tmux new -s mysession`	Start a new named session
`Ctrl+b d`	Detach from session
`tmux ls`	List sessions
`tmux attach -t mysession`	Reattach to a named session
`tmux kill-session -t mysession`	Kill a session

This is gold when working with remote servers — disconnect safely and come back later.

Wrapping Up

tmux might feel a bit weird at first, but once you get used to it, it’s like having superpowers inside your terminal.

If you:

SSH into servers
Use the terminal for coding
Want to never lose your work again

…then give tmux a try.

Cheat Sheet Summary

tmux                   # start a session
tmux new -s name       # new named session
tmux ls                # list sessions
tmux attach -t name    # reattach
Ctrl+b c               # new window
Ctrl+b n / p           # next/prev window
Ctrl+b % / "           # split vertical / horizontal
Ctrl+b o               # move between panes
Ctrl+b d               # detach session

If you're a software developer who enjoys exploring different technologies and techniques like this one, check out LiveAPI. It’s a super-convenient tool that lets you generate interactive API docs instantly.

So, if you’re working with a codebase that lacks documentation, just use LiveAPI to generate it and save time!

You can instantly try it out here!