tmux and byobu

Terminal multiplexers: run multiple shell sessions inside a single SSH connection, detach and reattach without losing work.

• tmux — the underlying multiplexer; powerful, scriptable, widely available
• byobu — a configuration layer on top of tmux (or screen); adds a status bar, function-key bindings, and sane defaults; ideal for tilde servers

When your SSH connection drops — network hiccup, laptop sleep, ISP timeout — any running process dies with it. With tmux/byobu, your session keeps running on the server. Reconnect and reattach to find everything exactly as you left it.

On tilde servers (tilde.pink, tilde.town) byobu is usually pre-installed.

Enable auto-launch on login:

byobu-enable      # starts byobu automatically on every SSH login
byobu-disable     # undo this

Start/attach manually:

byobu             # start or reattach to existing session
byobu-tmux        # explicitly use tmux backend

Byobu uses F-keys as its primary interface (no prefix chord needed).

Reattach after reconnecting:

byobu             # reattaches to existing session automatically

If byobu isn't available or you prefer direct control:

tmux                          # new unnamed session
tmux new -s work              # new session named "work"
tmux ls                       # list sessions
tmux attach -t work           # attach to "work"
tmux attach                   # attach to most recent session
tmux kill-session -t work     # kill a session

All tmux commands start with the prefix: Ctrl+b (default). Press prefix, then the command key.

prefix [          enter copy mode
arrow keys        scroll
Ctrl+s            search forward
q                 quit copy mode
Space             start selection (vi mode)
Enter             copy selection
prefix ]          paste

To enable vi-style keys in copy mode, add to ~/.tmux.conf:

setw -g mode-keys vi

# Increase scrollback buffer
set -g history-limit 10000
 
# Start window numbering at 1
set -g base-index 1
 
# Mouse support (scroll, click to select pane)
set -g mouse on
 
# Vi keys in copy mode
setw -g mode-keys vi
 
# Reload config without restarting
bind r source-file ~/.tmux.conf \; display "Reloaded"
 
# More intuitive splits (same directory)
bind | split-window -h -c "#{pane_current_path}"
bind - split-window -v -c "#{pane_current_path}"

Reload after editing:

tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf
# or prefix r if you added the bind above

Typical session setup on a remote server:

ssh you@tilde.pink
tmux new -s main          # or just: byobu
 
# inside tmux:
# window 1: shell / general work
# window 2: irssi / IRC
# window 3: neomutt / email
# window 4: editor
 
# when done for the day:
# prefix d  (detach — everything keeps running)

Next day:

ssh you@tilde.pink
tmux attach -t main       # or just: byobu
# back exactly where you left off

Persistent processes (keep running after detach): irssi, weechat, mutt/neomutt, a long compile, a server process — anything you'd otherwise need nohup or screen for.

mosh is an alternative to SSH that handles intermittent connections gracefully — roaming between networks, laptop sleep, spotty mobile data. Uses UDP.

mosh you@tilde.pink       # instead of ssh

Combine with byobu/tmux for the most resilient remote workflow: mosh handles the connection layer, tmux handles session persistence.

byobu-enable              # auto-launch on login (run once)

byobu will start automatically every time you SSH in and reattach to your existing session if one exists. See tilde.pink for other setup steps.

• Terminal Tools Index

• tilde.pink
• tilde.town
• SSH — tilde.town
• SSH — Homelab
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