Tmux Onboarding Process

The terminal waits, silent, until you split it into windows, each one running its own task. This is the first step in mastering the onboarding process for Tmux.

Tmux is a terminal multiplexer. It lets you run multiple sessions inside one terminal, split them into panes, detach them, and reconnect later without losing your place. For teams and systems that never stop, this is not optional—it is the workflow.

Step 1: Install Tmux
On macOS, run:

brew install tmux

On Linux:

sudo apt install tmux

Step 2: Start a Session
Launch Tmux with:

tmux

You’re now inside a session. Everything you do here can persist even after you disconnect.

Step 3: Learn the Prefix Key
By default, Tmux listens for commands after Ctrl+b. Press Ctrl+b then % to split the window vertically. Press Ctrl+b then " to split horizontally. These shortcuts are the foundation of the onboarding process for Tmux.

Step 4: Create and Manage Panes
Move between panes with Ctrl+b then an arrow key. Close a pane by exiting the process running inside it. This allows you to control multiple processes side by side without switching tabs.

Step 5: Sessions and Windows
Sessions hold multiple windows. Think of windows as full layouts of panes. Create a window with Ctrl+b then c. Switch windows with Ctrl+b then n or p. Naming sessions helps when detaching and reattaching later:

tmux new -s mysession
tmux attach -t mysession

Step 6: Customize Configuration
Edit the file ~/.tmux.conf to set better defaults:

set -g mouse on
set -g history-limit 10000

Reload changes inside Tmux with Ctrl+b then : followed by source-file ~/.tmux.conf.

Step 7: Detach and Reattach
Detach a session with Ctrl+b then d. Reattach with:

tmux attach -t mysession

This is vital for remote work—your processes keep running even when your connection drops.

Step 8: Automate the Onboarding Process
Provide a default config, scripts to start sessions, and a cheat sheet of core commands. New users can start productive work in minutes without losing time on setup.

A smooth onboarding process for Tmux means less friction, fewer lost processes, and cleaner session management. Everything you need runs in one place, under tight control, with zero downtime.

See the onboarding process for Tmux live in minutes at hoop.dev.