Command mode lets you type raw tmux commands to control sessions, windows, and panes. Enter command mode with Ctrl+B :, type a command, and press Enter.
Ctrl+B : enter command mode
Common commands:
# Window management new-window -n name create window named "name" kill-window kill current window rename-window new-name rename current window # Pane management split-window -v split vertically (top/bottom) split-window -h split horizontally (left/right) kill-pane kill current pane send-keys -t window "cmd" Enter send command to window # Session management new-session -s name create named session kill-session -t name kill session rename-session -t old new rename session # General list-sessions list all sessions list-windows -t session list windows in session list-panes -t session:window list panes in window set-option -g option value set global option set-window-option -g option value set window option
Most key bindings are shortcuts for commands. For example, Ctrl+B c is equivalent to Ctrl+B :new-window Enter. Some commands are easier to type than to remember the keybinding.
View all available commands:
$ tmux list-commands
Common patterns in scripts:
# Send a command to a window and execute it tmux send-keys -t session:window "npm start" Enter # Create a new window in an existing session tmux new-window -t session -n build -c ~/build # Set a variable for the current session tmux set-option -t session option value # Get the value of an option tmux show-option -t session option
Command mode is powerful for automation and scripting. You can run multiple commands in sequence to set up complex layouts programmatically.