Master tmux on Linux: Create, Manage, and Navigate Sessions Efficiently

tmux is a terminal multiplexer similar to Screen that keeps programs running when a terminal disconnects and allows a single terminal window to host multiple sessions, greatly simplifying multitasking.

On Ubuntu tmux is pre‑installed, but on CentOS you need to install it manually: # yum install tmux -y To start a new session named test: tmux new-session -s test Exit a session with the exit command or Ctrl +D . The session continues running in the background.

When the window closes or the network drops, reattach the session with: tmux attach-session -t test List all active sessions using: tmux ls Inside a session you can create additional windows. Press Ctrl +B then C to open a new window. The status line at the bottom shows the window numbers (e.g., 0, 1, 2).

Switch to a specific window by pressing Ctrl +B followed by the window number (e.g., 0 ).

Close the current window by pressing Ctrl +B , then X , and confirming with Y .

For side‑by‑side comparison, split the current window horizontally with Ctrl +B then % (Shift + 5). This creates a new pane independent of other windows.

Split vertically with Ctrl +B then " (Shift + comma). This creates a new vertical pane.

Navigate between panes: Ctrl +B then O cycles through panes from top‑to‑bottom and left‑to‑right; Ctrl +B then ; toggles between the current and previous pane.