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-prefixNotes
A common customization for users migrating from GNU screen.
tmux Configuration and Customization
tmux .tmux.conf settings for prefix changes, mouse support, indexing, reloading, and status bar customization.
Export
Copy the compact sheet, download it, or print it.
Download
`D` dense toggle · `C` copy all
Core configuration
Common .tmux.conf settings for better defaults.
Renumber windows automatically
Keep window numbers compact after closing windows.
tmuxANYtmuxconfigwindows
tmux
set -g renumber-windows onNotes
Makes numeric navigation more predictable.
tmux
set -g mouse onNotes
Makes tmux friendlier for new users and for terminal emulators with good mouse support.
tmux
set -g base-index 1
setw -g pane-base-index 1Notes
Many users find one-based numbering easier to remember.
bash
tmux source-file ~/.tmux.confNotes
Use after editing `.tmux.conf`.
Status bar and appearance
Customize status content and theming.
tmux
set -g status-position topNotes
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 "Notes
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"Notes
Tmux supports format variables and time expansion.
tmux
set -g pane-border-status topNotes
Helps identify panes during complex layouts.
More in tmux
tmux Plugins and Productivity Setup
tmux plugin manager patterns, TPM setup, and common plugin snippets for restoring sessions, sensible defaults, and clipboard workflows.
tmux Troubleshooting and Debugging
tmux commands and config snippets for diagnosing key bindings, options, environment issues, TERM problems, and server resets.
tmux Remote Sessions, SSH, and Pairing
tmux patterns for remote servers, resilient SSH sessions, multi-client visibility, and collaboration workflows.
tmux Scripting, Formats, and Automation
tmux commands for listing state, using format strings, conditional logic, send-keys automation, and repeatable workspace bootstrapping.
tmux Copy Mode, Scrollback, and Clipboard
tmux copy-mode commands, scrollback capture, search, buffers, and clipboard configuration patterns.
tmux Sessions, Windows, and Panes
Core tmux commands and interactive shortcuts for managing sessions, windows, panes, splits, and layouts.