tmux
tmux is a free terminal multiplexer for creating and controlling multiple terminals from one screen.
What tmux is
tmux is a free terminal multiplexer for creating and controlling multiple terminals from one screen. Its sessions can continue running after a disconnection or when detached, then be reattached later. A session may contain several windows, and each window can be divided into rectangular panes, each with its own pseudo-terminal. Multiple tmux instances can connect to the same session. A server manages sessions while client processes display them and communicate through a socket; the command-line interface also provides a control mode. The project supports OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD, Linux, macOS, and Solaris, with self-hosting listed among its platforms. Installation can use a release tarball, version control, or binary packages where available. Building requires libevent 2.x, ncurses, a C compiler, make, pkg-config, and a suitable yacc implementation. The project identifies the source code as ISC-licensed. It is free, with no paid tiers or usage limits stated.
Good
- Sessions can be reattached after disconnection or detachment.
- Windows can be divided into rectangular panes.
- Multiple instances can connect to one session.
- Available on several BSD systems, Linux, macOS, and Solaris.
- The project identifies the source as ISC-licensed.
Watch out
- Building requires several development dependencies.
- Installation may require building from source.
- A suitable yacc implementation is required to build.
Who it suits
tmux suits people who need to organize multiple terminal sessions on one screen, including users whose sessions should remain available after an SSH disconnection. It may also fit people who need several instances to connect to a shared session.
Verdict
tmux brings multiple terminal sessions into one interface and lets sessions persist through detachment or a connection loss. Check the build dependencies if you plan to install from source.
Plans and prices
From tmux's own pricing page, checked 30 Sep 2001.
| Plan | Price | What it gives you |
|---|---|---|
| Open source | Free | No paid tiers or usage limits stated |
The facts
Each one read from tmux's own pages, with the date it was checked.
What it does
- Control mode
- The command-line interface supports a control mode for controlling tmux.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Dependencies
- Building tmux requires libevent 2.x, ncurses, a C compiler, make, pkg-config, and a suitable yacc implementation.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Installation
- Users can build and install tmux from a release tarball or from version control, and some platforms provide binary packages.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Intended users
- The project describes tmux as a tool for working with multiple terminals from one screen, including sessions that can persist across SSH disconnections.checked 30 Sep 2001
- License
- The repository identifies tmux source code under the ISC license.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Persistent sessions
- Sessions continue running after accidental disconnection or intentional detachment and can later be reattached.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Purpose
- tmux is a terminal multiplexer that lets users create, access, and control multiple terminals from one screen.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Security reporting
- The project asks users to report security issues to [email protected].checked 30 Sep 2001
- Separate server processes
- A single server manages sessions while clients display them, and the server and clients communicate through a socket.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Shared sessions
- Multiple tmux instances can connect to the same session.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Support
- The project directs users to its tmux-users mailing list for general discussion and bug reports.checked 30 Sep 2001
Where it runs
- Platforms
- The project README lists OpenBSD, FreeBSD, NetBSD, Linux, macOS, and Solaris as supported platforms.checked 30 Sep 2001
- Windows and panes
- A session can contain multiple windows, and a window can be split into rectangular panes, each with its own pseudo-terminal.checked 30 Sep 2001
