Using Screen and Tmux

Brief introduction to Linux multiplexers like screen and tmux.

Introduction

tmux and screen are terminal multiplexers. This means that both are command line utilities that let you run multiple shell sessions in one terminal, detach and reattach to sessions, and keep long-running tasks alive (even after SSH disconnection). This can be especially useful when working on remote servers. The two of them perform the same job, however in different ways, and you’ll find that some tasks work better in one versus the other.

screen Basics

  • Installation: sudo yum install screen

  • Start a New Session: screen

  • Start a New Session and Give it a Name: screen -S mysession

  • Detach from a Session: Ctrl + A, then D

  • List Sessions: screen -ls

  • Reattach to a Session: screen -r mysession or if there is only one session run screen -r

  • Kill a Session: from within a session Ctrl + A, then type :quit. From outside of a session screen -X -S mysession quit

tmux Basics

  • Installation: sudo yum install tmux

  • Start a New Session: tmux

  • Start a New Session and Give it a Name: tmux new -s mysession

  • Detach from a Session: Ctrl + B, then D

  • List Sessions: tmux ls

  • Reattach to a Session: tmux attach -t mysession

  • Kill a Session: tmux kill-session -t mysession

Useful Tmux Shortcuts:

Use the prefix Ctrl + B

Action

Keys

Desscription

Split pane vertical

“

Split window top/bottom

Split pane horizontal

%

Split window left/right

Switch pane

Arrow keys

Move between panes

Create new window

c

Like creating a new tab

Switch windows

n/p

Next/previous window

List windows

w

Shows menu of windows

Rename window

,

Renmae current window

Close pane/window

exit

Just type exit

Choosing Between screen and tmux

Generally, screen is a more basic, limited, and minimal screen multiplexer. It offers some customization and is generally easier to use. However, tmux is highly customizable and offers more advanced pane and window management, and scripting support. A more detailed analysis of the two can be found here.

Resources