tmux
Manage tmux sessions for background processes. Use to run long-running commands, manage multiple terminals, and capture output from background processes.
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Install
Works with every agent the skills CLI supports.
npx skills add https://github.com/johnlindquist/claude --skill tmux- 01
Install
Run the command in your project. The CLI asks which agents to install for.
- 02
Describe the task
Ask your agent for something this skill covers. It loads tmux automatically when relevant.
- 03
Review the result
The agent follows the SKILL.md steps, scripts and references bundled with the skill.
SKILL.md
The instructions your agent reads when the skill is triggered.
Tmux Session Manager
Run and manage background processes using tmux.
Prerequisites
Install tmux:
brew install tmux
# or
apt install tmux
CLI Reference
Create Session
# Basic session
tmux new-session -d -s mysession
# With window name
tmux new-session -d -s mysession -n mywindow
# With working directory
tmux new-session -d -s mysession -c /path/to/dir
# With initial command
tmux new-session -d -s mysession "npm run dev"
# Combined
tmux new-session -d -s dev -n server -c /project "npm run dev"
List Sessions
# List all sessions
tmux list-sessions
# Short format
tmux ls
# With format
tmux list-sessions -F "#{session_name}: #{session_windows} windows"
Send Keys to Session
# Send command
tmux send-keys -t mysession "npm test" Enter
# Send to specific window
tmux send-keys -t mysession:mywindow "command" Enter
# Send without Enter
tmux send-keys -t mysession "partial command"
# Send special keys
tmux send-keys -t mysession C-c # Ctrl+C
tmux send-keys -t mysession C-d # Ctrl+D
tmux send-keys -t mysession Escape # Escape
tmux send-keys -t mysession Up # Arrow up
Capture Output
# Capture visible pane
tmux capture-pane -t mysession -p
# Capture with history (last N lines)
tmux capture-pane -t mysession -p -S -100
# Capture all history
tmux capture-pane -t mysession -p -S -
# Save to file
tmux capture-pane -t mysession -p > output.txt
Kill Session
# Kill specific session
tmux kill-session -t mysession
# Kill all sessions
tmux kill-server
Attach to Session
# Attach
tmux attach -t mysession
# Attach or create
tmux new-session -A -s mysession
Window Management
# New window
tmux new-window -t mysession -n windowname
# Select window
tmux select-window -t mysession:windowname
# Kill window
tmux kill-window -t mysession:windowname
# List windows
tmux list-windows -t mysession
Pane Management
# Split horizontally
tmux split-window -t mysession -h
# Split vertically
tmux split-window -t mysession -v
# Select pane
tmux select-pane -t mysession:0.1
# Kill pane
tmux kill-pane -t mysession:0.1
Workflow Patterns
Run Dev Server in Background
# Start server
tmux new-session -d -s devserver -c /project "npm run dev"
# Check output
tmux capture-pane -t devserver -p -S -50
# Stop server
tmux send-keys -t devserver C-c
tmux kill-session -t devserver
Run Tests with Output Capture
# Start tests
tmux new-session -d -s tests "npm test"
# Wait and capture output
sleep 30
tmux capture-pane -t tests -p -S - > test-output.txt
# Cleanup
tmux kill-session -t tests
Multiple Services
# Create session with multiple windows
tmux new-session -d -s services -n frontend
tmux new-window -t services -n backend
tmux new-window -t services -n database
# Start each service
tmux send-keys -t services:frontend "npm run dev" Enter
tmux send-keys -t services:backend "go run main.go" Enter
tmux send-keys -t services:database "docker-compose up db" Enter
# Check all services
for win in frontend backend database; do
echo "=== $win ==="
tmux capture-pane -t services:$win -p -S -10
done
Long-Running Process
# Start process
tmux new-session -d -s build "npm run build:production"
# Monitor progress
watch -n 5 "tmux capture-pane -t build -p -S -20"
# Or periodic check
while tmux has-session -t build 2>/dev/null; do
sleep 10
echo "Still running..."
done
echo "Build complete"
Socket Mode (for Agents)
When running in agent context, use a dedicated socket:
SOCKET_PATH="/tmp/agent-tmux-$$"
# Create session with socket
tmux -S $SOCKET_PATH new-session -d -s agent "command"
# Send keys via socket
tmux -S $SOCKET_PATH send-keys -t agent "input" Enter
# Capture via socket
tmux -S $SOCKET_PATH capture-pane -t agent -p
# Cleanup
tmux -S $SOCKET_PATH kill-server
rm -f $SOCKET_PATH
Best Practices
- Name sessions descriptively - Easy to identify later
- Use
-dfor detached - Don't block the terminal - Capture output regularly - Before killing sessions
- Set working directory - Use
-c /pathfor context - Clean up sessions - Kill when done
- Use sockets for isolation - Prevent conflicts between agents
FAQ
What does the tmux skill do?
Manage tmux sessions for background processes. Use to run long-running commands, manage multiple terminals, and capture output from background processes.
How do I install tmux?
Run npx skills add https://github.com/johnlindquist/claude --skill tmux in your project. The skills CLI detects the agents you use and copies the skill into the right folder. For Claude Code you can also place the skill folder at ~/.claude/skills/tmux/ (personal) or .claude/skills/tmux/ (project).
Which AI agents can use tmux?
Any agent that supports the open Agent Skills format (a folder with a SKILL.md file), including Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, GitHub Copilot, Gemini CLI, Windsurf, Cline, OpenCode and more.
Is tmux safe to install?
No partner security audit is available yet. Skills can run commands and scripts, so read the SKILL.md and any bundled files before installing.
Who maintains tmux?
It is published by johnlindquist in johnlindquist/claude. It has 62 recorded installs.
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