How to exit copy mode in tmux?
Quick Answer
To exit copy mode in tmux, press q or Escape. If you're using Vim keybindings, you can also press Enter to exit copy mode after making a selection. Another method is to press Ctrl+c, which cancels the current operation and exits copy mode regardless of keybinding mode.
# Exit copy mode (Emacs key bindings) q Escape # Exit copy mode (Vim key bindings) q Escape Enter (after selection)
Detailed Explanation
Copy mode in tmux allows you to navigate the pane buffer, select text, and copy content for pasting. Knowing how to exit copy mode is essential for efficient tmux usage, especially as different key binding modes offer different exit methods.
Default Methods to Exit Copy Mode
Regardless of your key binding mode, these methods should work to exit copy mode:
- Press q to quit copy mode without copying
- Press Escape to cancel and exit
- Press Ctrl+c to force exit from any mode
Exiting Based on Key Binding Mode
tmux supports two main key binding modes for copy mode: Emacs (default) and Vim. The exit methods can vary slightly:
Emacs mode (default):
- q - Exit copy mode
- Escape - Cancel the current selection and exit
- Ctrl+g - Cancel and exit (Emacs-style)
- Ctrl+Space followed by Alt+w - Copy selection and exit
Vim mode:
- q - Exit copy mode
- Escape - Cancel the current selection and exit
- Enter - After making a selection, copies the text and exits copy mode
- v then select text then y - Make selection, yank (copy) and exit
Checking Your Key Binding Mode
To check which key binding mode you're using for copy mode:
# In tmux command mode (Ctrl+b :) show-options -g mode-keys
This will show either "emacs" (default) or "vi" depending on your configuration.
Changing Key Binding Mode
If you prefer Vim-style key bindings for copy mode, add this to your ~/.tmux.conf:
# Use vi keys in copy mode setw -g mode-keys vi
For Emacs-style key bindings (default):
# Use emacs keys in copy mode setw -g mode-keys emacs
Common Issues When Exiting Copy Mode
If you're having trouble exiting copy mode:
- "Stuck" in copy mode - Try pressing Ctrl+c multiple times
- Exit keys not working - Check if you're using the right keys for your mode-keys setting
- Custom key bindings - Your tmux configuration might have redefined the default keys
- Terminal issues - Some terminal emulators might intercept certain keys
Pro Tip
Create a custom binding for quickly exiting copy mode and returning to the command prompt:
# Add to ~/.tmux.conf bind-key -T copy-mode-vi 'C-x' send-keys -X cancel bind-key -T copy-mode 'C-x' send-keys -X cancel
With this configuration, pressing Ctrl+x will immediately exit copy mode regardless of which key binding mode you're using.
Copy Mode Workflow
For a smooth copy-paste workflow in tmux:
- Enter copy mode with Ctrl+b [
- Navigate to text using movement keys
- Start selection (Space in Emacs mode, v in Vim mode)
- Select text using movement keys
- Copy selection (Alt+w in Emacs mode, y in Vim mode)
- Exit copy mode automatically or press q
- Paste with Ctrl+b ]