tmux 2

The Command Prefix

Since our command-line programs run inside tmux, we need a way to tell tmux that the command we’re typing is for tmux and not for the underlying application. The Ctrl-b combination does just that. This combination is called the command prefix.

You prefix each tmux command with this key combination. To get a feel for how this works, open tmux again:

$ tmux

Then, inside of tmux, press Ctrl-b, then press t. A large clock will appear on the screen.

It’s important to note that you don’t hold all these keys down together. Instead, first press Ctrl-b simultaneously, release those keys, and then immediately press the key for ...