Linux tmux screen Guide

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.

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Table of Contents

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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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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

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Summary

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

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Next Steps

• Terminal Emulators - Terminal applications
• SSH Configuration - SSH setup
• tmux: https://github.com/tmux/tmux
• screen: https://www.gnu.org/software/screen/

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