Using tmux for Persistent Terminal Sessions

tmux is a terminal multiplexer that keeps your sessions alive after SSH disconnects — essential for long-running tasks on a server.

Install tmux

apt install tmux -y    # Ubuntu/Debian
dnf install tmux -y    # CentOS/RHEL

Start a New Session

tmux new -s mysession

Detach from a Session (Session Stays Running)

Press Ctrl+B then D

List Sessions

tmux ls

Reattach to a Session

tmux attach -t mysession

Kill a Session

tmux kill-session -t mysession

Key Shortcuts (all preceded by Ctrl+B)

• Ctrl+B % — split pane vertically
• Ctrl+B " — split pane horizontally
• Ctrl+B arrow — move between panes
• Ctrl+B c — create new window
• Ctrl+B n — next window
• Ctrl+B p — previous window
• Ctrl+B & — kill current window
• Ctrl+B [ — enter scroll/copy mode (use arrow keys, q to exit)

Basic ~/.tmux.conf

# Enable mouse support
set -g mouse on
# Increase scrollback buffer
set -g history-limit 10000
# Start windows at 1
set -g base-index 1

Reload config: tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf