---
title: Love, Hate, & tmux
teaser:
tags: tmux,unix,vim
author: Dan Croak
published_on: 2010-12-10
---

Many at thoughtbot run their editor+shell combos inside of tmux. Some [remote
pair program with ssh, vim, and
tmux](http://blog.voxdolo.me/remote-pairing-with-vim-and-tmux.html).

Getting started with tmux, these are the questions I've had.

## How do I get started

Install tmux, read the documentation, and fire it up.

    brew install tmux
    man tmux
    tmux -u

## Can I make the environment look good

Yes. We have these lines in `tmux.conf` in
[thoughtbot/dotfiles](https://github.com/thoughtbot/dotfiles):

    # improve colors
    set -g default-terminal "screen-256color"

    # soften status bar color from harsh green to light gray
    set -g status-bg '#666666'
    set -g status-fg '#aaaaaa'

    # remove administrative debris (session name, hostname, time) in status bar
    set -g status-left ''
    set -g status-right ''

## What's a prefix

The "prefix" namespaces tmux commands. By default it is `Ctrl+b`. In our
`tmux.conf` in `thoughtbot/dotfiles`, we bound it to `Ctrl+a`:

    # act like GNU screen
    unbind C-b
    set -g prefix C-a

## How can I scroll up to see my backtraces

This was non-obvious to me.

Enter "copy mode":

    prefix+[

Use vim bindings to page up and down:

    Ctrl+b
    Ctrl+f

## How can I copy text

Add this to your `tmux.conf`:

    # enable copy-paste http://goo.gl/DN82E
    # enable RubyMotion http://goo.gl/WDlCy
    set -g default-command "reattach-to-user-namespace -l zsh"

## How can I make tmux act more like vim

Add this to your `tmux.conf` to use vim's home-row keys for movement between
windows and panes:

    # act like vim
    setw -g mode-keys vi
    bind h select-pane -L
    bind j select-pane -D
    bind k select-pane -U
    bind l select-pane -R
    bind-key -r C-h select-window -t :-
    bind-key -r C-l select-window -t :+

## How do I name sessions

One day I might work on Airbrake. Another day, a client project. I'd like to
name my tmux sessions so I can leave one, drop into another, and go back to the
original with all my state maintained (files still open in my editor,
console/logs I want open, etc.).

Create a new session:

    tmux new -s airbrake

Attach to a session:

    tmux attach -t airbrake

## How do I split and move between windows

Create a window:

    prefix c

Move to window 1:

    prefix 1

Move to window 2:

    prefix 2

Kill a window:

    prefix x

I believe in [setting my mouse
free](https://thoughtbot.com/blog/post/1479709356/set-your-mouse-free) but it
takes time for muscle memory to make this fast.

## How do I reload `~/.tmux.conf`

After editing `~/.tmux.conf`, execute this from a shell:

    tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf

## Give it a shot

I've had a love-hate relationship with tmux in my first week using it, but the
brief moments of flow I've experienced so far are enough to keep trying it.

Give tmux a shot and if you have any other tips, I'd love to hear them.