What is tmux?

Detailed Explanation

Tmux is a powerful terminal multiplexer that enhances your terminal experience by providing features that go beyond what standard terminal emulators offer. The name "tmux" is a combination of "terminal" and "multiplexer," reflecting its core functionality.

Key features of tmux:

• Session persistence: Detach from sessions and reattach later, even after disconnecting from an SSH connection
• Window management: Create multiple windows (like tabs) within a single terminal instance
• Pane splitting: Divide a window into multiple panes, each running its own shell or command
• Synchronized input: Type commands into multiple panes simultaneously
• Customizability: Extensive configuration options through .tmux.conf file
• Scriptability: Automate complex window layouts and startup sequences

Tmux terminology:

• Session: A collection of windows under a single name
• Window: Similar to tabs in a browser, each containing one or more panes
• Pane: Individual terminal instances within a window
• Prefix key: Default Ctrl+b, used before tmux commands

Use cases for tmux:

• Running long processes on remote servers that need to continue after you disconnect
• Managing multiple terminal tasks in a single view (e.g., code editor, build process, server logs)
• Pair programming remotely by sharing a tmux session
• Organizing complex development environments with consistent layouts
• Protecting against network disruptions during SSH sessions