tmux Configuration and Customization

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tmux .tmux.conf settings for prefix changes, mouse support, indexing, reloading, and status bar customization.

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Core configuration

Common .tmux.conf settings for better defaults.

Change prefix to Ctrl-a

Replace the default prefix with a screen-style prefix.

↗#

tmuxANYtmuxconfigprefix

tmux

unbind C-b
set -g prefix C-a
bind C-a send-prefix

A common customization for users migrating from GNU screen.

Renumber windows automatically

Keep window numbers compact after closing windows.

↗#

tmuxANYtmuxconfigwindows

tmux

set -g renumber-windows on

Makes numeric navigation more predictable.

Enable mouse support

Use mouse selection and pane/window switching.

↗#

tmuxANYtmuxmouseconfig

tmux

set -g mouse on

Makes tmux friendlier for new users and for terminal emulators with good mouse support.

Start numbering at 1

Set windows and panes to begin at 1 instead of 0.

↗#

tmuxANYtmuxconfigindex

tmux

set -g base-index 1
setw -g pane-base-index 1

Many users find one-based numbering easier to remember.

Reload config file

Apply config changes without restarting tmux.

↗#

bashANYtmuxsource-fileconfig

bash

tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf

Use after editing `.tmux.conf`.

Status bar and appearance

Customize status content and theming.

Move status bar to top

Place the tmux status line above panes.

↗#

tmuxANYtmuxstatus-bar

tmux

set -g status-position top

A useful layout preference on smaller screens.

Show session name on the left

Customize the left side of the status line.

↗#

tmuxANYtmuxstatus-leftformats

tmux

set -g status-left "#[bold]#S "

Formats the current session name using tmux format strings.

Show host and time on the right

Add useful runtime context to the status line.

↗#

tmuxANYtmuxstatus-right

tmux

set -g status-right "#H %Y-%m-%d %H:%M"

Tmux supports format variables and time expansion.

Show pane titles

Display pane border status lines.

↗#

tmuxANYtmuxpane-border

tmux

set -g pane-border-status top

Helps identify panes during complex layouts.

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