# Tmux Configuration

**Configuration** happens in `~/.tmux.conf`. Tmux reads this file on startup. Reload it anytime without restarting tmux by running `tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf` or pressing `Ctrl+B :source-file ~/.tmux.conf` in command mode.

## Common settings

Change the prefix key from `Ctrl+B` to `Ctrl+A`:

```
set-option -g prefix C-a
unbind-key C-b
bind-key C-a send-prefix
```

Enable 256 color terminal:

```
set-option -g default-terminal "screen-256color"
```

Enable mouse support:

```
set-option -g mouse on
```

Customize status bar colors:

```
set-option -g status-bg black
set-option -g status-fg white
set-option -g status-left " #S "
set-option -g status-right "%H:%M %d-%b-%y "
```

Use vi keys in copy mode:

```
set-window-option -g mode-keys vi
```

Start window and pane numbering at 1 instead of 0:

```
set-option -g base-index 1
set-window-option -g pane-base-index 1
```

Automatic window renaming:

```
set-window-option -g automatic-rename on
```

## Custom key bindings

Bind `Ctrl+L` to clear the screen without needing the prefix:

```
bind-key -n C-l send-keys -R 'clear' Enter
```

Bind `prefix v` to split horizontally (intuitive for vim users):

```
bind-key v split-window -h
```

Bind `prefix s` to split vertically:

```
bind-key s split-window -v
```

Use the `-n` flag for bindings that don't require the prefix. Use `-r` to make a binding repeatable (hold down the prefix key and keep pressing).

## Reload configuration

After editing `~/.tmux.conf`, reload it:

```bash
$ tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf
```

Or from within a session:

```
Ctrl+B :source-file ~/.tmux.conf Enter
```

Option names can be abbreviated: `set-option` → `set`, `set-window-option` → `setw`, `bind-key` → `bind`.