Linux tmux screen Guide - ryzendew/Linux-Tips-and-Tricks GitHub Wiki

Linux tmux and screen Guide

Complete beginner-friendly guide to tmux and screen on Linux, covering Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions including terminal multiplexing, session management, and remote work.

Table of Contents

  1. Understanding Terminal Multiplexers
  2. tmux Installation
  3. tmux Basics
  4. tmux Advanced
  5. screen Installation
  6. screen Basics
  7. Troubleshooting

Understanding Terminal Multiplexers

What are Terminal Multiplexers?

Terminal multiplexers allow multiple terminal sessions in one window.

Benefits:

  • Multiple sessions: Run several programs simultaneously
  • Detach/reattach: Keep sessions running after disconnecting
  • Split panes: Divide terminal into multiple areas
  • Remote work: Essential for SSH sessions

Common uses:

  • SSH sessions: Keep work running after disconnect
  • Development: Multiple terminals for coding
  • System administration: Monitor multiple services

tmux Installation

Install tmux

Arch/CachyOS:

# Install tmux
sudo pacman -S tmux

Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt install tmux

Fedora:

sudo dnf install tmux

Launch tmux

Start tmux:

# Start new session
tmux

# Start named session
tmux new -s mysession

tmux Basics

Key Bindings

Default prefix: Ctrl+b

Basic commands:

  • Prefix + c: Create new window
  • Prefix + n: Next window
  • Prefix + p: Previous window
  • Prefix + %: Split vertically
  • Prefix + ": Split horizontally
  • Prefix + d: Detach session

Sessions

Manage sessions:

# List sessions
tmux ls

# Attach to session
tmux attach -t mysession

# Kill session
tmux kill-session -t mysession

tmux Advanced

Windows and Panes

Window management:

# Create window
Prefix + c

# Rename window
Prefix + ,

# Switch windows
Prefix + 0-9

Pane management:

# Split vertically
Prefix + %

# Split horizontally
Prefix + "

# Switch panes
Prefix + arrow keys

# Resize pane
Prefix + Ctrl + arrow keys

Configuration

Configure tmux:

# Create config
vim ~/.tmux.conf

Common settings:

# Set prefix to Ctrl+a
unbind C-b
set-option -g prefix C-a
bind-key C-a send-prefix

# Enable mouse
set -g mouse on

# Start windows at 1
set -g base-index 1

screen Installation

Install screen

Arch/CachyOS:

# Install screen
sudo pacman -S screen

Debian/Ubuntu:

sudo apt install screen

Fedora:

sudo dnf install screen

Launch screen

Start screen:

# Start new session
screen

# Start named session
screen -S mysession

screen Basics

Key Bindings

Default prefix: Ctrl+a

Basic commands:

  • Prefix + c: Create new window
  • Prefix + n: Next window
  • Prefix + p: Previous window
  • Prefix + ": List windows
  • Prefix + d: Detach session
  • Prefix + A: Rename window

Sessions

Manage sessions:

# List sessions
screen -ls

# Attach to session
screen -r mysession

# Detach (from inside)
Ctrl+a, d

# Kill session
screen -X -S mysession quit

Troubleshooting

tmux Not Starting

Check installation:

# Check tmux
which tmux
tmux -V

# Install if missing
sudo pacman -S tmux

Session Issues

Recover session:

# List sessions
tmux ls

# Attach to session
tmux attach

# Force attach
tmux attach -d

Summary

This guide covered tmux and screen installation, basic usage, and session management for Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other distributions.

Next Steps

This guide covers Arch Linux, CachyOS, and other Linux distributions. For distribution-specific details, refer to your distribution's documentation.