Mini-guide: tmux

23 Oct, 2025

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Tmux (Terminal Multiplexer) allows you to run persistent, multi-window terminal sessions. You can detach from a session, log out, and your programs (like a node sync) will continue to run. You can then re-attach later.

The default Prefix key is Ctrl+B. To send a command, you press the Prefix, release it, and then press the command key (e.g., d to detach).

Session Basics

• Start a new, named session:

  tmux new -s <session_name>
  

  Example: tmux new -s monerod

• List all running sessions:

  tmux ls
  

• Detach from your current session: Press Ctrl+B, release, then press d.

• Re-attach to a specific session:

  tmux attach -t <session_name>
  

  Example: tmux attach -t monerod

Killing Sessions

You can terminate sessions from inside tmux (using the prefix) or from your main terminal.

From Inside a Session

• Kill the current session you are in:

• Method one: exit + [enter]

• Method two:

  1. Ctrl+B
  2. : (colon)
  3. kill-session + [Enter]

• Kill all other sessions (except the one you are in):

  tmux kill-session -a
  

  (This can also be run from the Ctrl+B, : command prompt).

From Outside (Main Terminal)

• Kill a specific session by name: First, list them: tmux ls Then, kill the target:

  tmux kill-session -t <session_name>
  

  Example: tmux kill-session -t monerod

• Kill all sessions and the tmux server (Cleanly): This is the recommended way to shut down all tmux activity.

  tmux kill-server
  

• Kill all tmux processes (Forcefully): If kill-server fails, this is the "gross" or unclean method.

  pkill -f tmux