How to use working directories in tmux?
Quick Answer
Use the -c flag to set working directories: tmux new-session -c ~/project starts a session in that directory. For splits, use "#{pane_current_path}" to inherit the current pane's directory.
tmux new-session -c ~/project -s workDetailed Explanation
Working directories in tmux determine where new shells start when you create sessions, windows, or panes. By default, tmux uses the directory where you started tmux, but you can control this with the -c flag.
Setting Directories for New Sessions
# Start session in specific directory tmux new-session -c ~/project -s work # Start and run command in directory tmux new-session -c ~/code -s dev 'vim .'
Inheriting Current Directory
The most useful pattern is making new windows and panes inherit the current directory:
# In ~/.tmux.conf - make splits inherit current directory
bind '"' split-window -c "#{pane_current_path}"
bind % split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}"
bind c new-window -c "#{pane_current_path}"Manual Directory Setting
# Create window in specific directory tmux new-window -c ~/projects/frontend -n "frontend" # Split pane in specific directory tmux split-window -h -c ~/projects/backend
Pro Tip
Add the key bindings above to your ~/.tmux.conf so that Ctrl+b c creates new windows in the current directory instead of the original tmux start directory.
Project Setup Script
Create a script to set up a project with proper working directories:
#!/bin/bash # Create project session tmux new-session -d -s myproject -c ~/projects/myproject tmux new-window -t myproject:1 -n 'server' -c ~/projects/myproject/server tmux new-window -t myproject:2 -n 'client' -c ~/projects/myproject/client tmux attach-session -t myproject