iTerm2 tmux Integration

With iTerm2, you don’t need to remember the tmux commands and shortcuts. You can easily open new tabs and split panes, and restore everything after disconnecting and reconnecting.

The usage is super simple, just add -CC while using tmux in iTerm2.

• e.g., change tmux to tmux -CC
• e.g., change tmux new-session -A -s xxx to tmux -CC new-session -A -s xxx

Configure the following configuration in ~/.ssh/config. After logging in with ssh, all windows and programs from the last time will be automatically restored. The program will also continue to run when it is accidentally disconnected:

Host xxxxx
    RequestTTY Yes
    RemoteCommand tmux -u -CC new-session -A -D -X -s yyyyy /bin/bash
# You can replace the above xxxxx and yyyyy with any name you like

iTerm2 documentation: tmux Integration

Common Shortcuts

The following shortcuts belongs to iTerm2, and works without tmux.

• command + t open a new tab
• command + d split panes left and right
• command + shift + d split panes up and down
• command + [ or command + ] switch between panes
• command + <- or command + -> switch between tabs
• command + shift + enter make a pane full screen or restore it
• command + fn + <- scroll to the front of the current output
• command + fn + -> scroll to the end of the current output
• command + k clear all the current output
• command + control + shift + d detach tmux, reconnecting will restore all open windows

Hide tmux control window

By default, iTerm2 will display two windows after running tmux -CC, one of them look like this:

** tmux mode started **

Command Menu
----------------------------
esc    Detach cleanly.
  X    Force-quit tmux mode.
  L    Toggle logging.
  C    Run tmux command.

This window can be hidden by setting iTerm2 -> Preferences... / Settings... -> General -> tmux:

Checked Automatically bury the tmux client session after connecting.

How to open new window

Choose your favorite way to open new window by setting iTerm2 -> Preferences... / Settings... -> General -> tmux:

Choose a item in When attaching, restore windows as, then try tmux -CC to find your favorite way.

Hide title bar of panes

By default, iTerm2 will show a title bar for each split panes, which looks ugly.

The title bar of panes can be hidden by setting iTerm2 -> Preferences... / Settings... -> Appearance -> Panes:

Unchecked Show per-pane title bar with split panes.

Inactive window style

By default, iTerm2 will dimming the whole inactive windows, which looks ugly.

The dimming style can be changed by setting iTerm2 -> Preferences... / Settings... -> Appearance -> Dimming:

Checked Dimming affects only text, not background.