🪟tmux Keyboard Shortcuts
23 essential shortcuts for tmux
Windows
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+b c | Create new window |
| Ctrl+b n/p | Next / previous window |
| Ctrl+b 0–9 | Switch to window number |
| Ctrl+b w | List all windows (interactive) |
| Ctrl+b , | Rename current window |
| Ctrl+b & | Kill current window |
Panes
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+b % | Split pane vertically |
| Ctrl+b " | Split pane horizontally |
| Ctrl+b ←/→/↑/↓ | Navigate between panes |
| Ctrl+b z | Toggle pane zoom (full screen) |
| Ctrl+b x | Kill current pane |
| Ctrl+b o | Cycle to next pane |
| Ctrl+b {/} | Move pane left / right |
| Ctrl+b Ctrl+←/→ | Resize pane left / right |
Sessions
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+b d | Detach from session |
| Ctrl+b s | List sessions (interactive) |
| Ctrl+b $ | Rename current session |
Copy Mode
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+b [ | Enter copy/scroll mode |
| Ctrl+b ] | Paste buffer |
| q (in copy mode) | Exit copy mode |
General
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Ctrl+b ? | List all key bindings |
| Ctrl+b t | Show clock |
| Ctrl+b : | Enter command prompt |
About tmux Shortcuts
tmux is a terminal multiplexer that lets you create, manage, and navigate between multiple terminal sessions inside a single window. It supports detachable sessions (persist after SSH disconnects), window splitting, and scriptable automation. tmux uses a prefix key (default Ctrl+b) followed by a command key. It is essential for remote server management, pair programming, and maintaining persistent development environments.
This reference covers 23 essential tmux keyboard shortcuts organized across 5 categories: Windows, Panes, Sessions, and more. Each shortcut lists both macOS and Windows/Linux key combinations where applicable, making it easy to find the right key combo regardless of your operating system.
Learning keyboard shortcuts is one of the highest-leverage investments you can make in your daily workflow. Studies show that developers and designers who rely on keyboard shortcuts are measurably faster at common tasks. Rather than memorizing every shortcut at once, focus on the ones you use most frequently and gradually expand your repertoire.
Bookmark this page for quick reference whenever you need to look up a tmux shortcut. The categorized layout makes it easy to find shortcuts by their function, whether you need navigation, editing, or specialized commands.