seabbs tmux Workflow Guide
Expert guidance for tmux-based development workflow with neovim, happy (Claude Code wrapper), and R/Julia REPLs.
Workflow Overview
The user's setup uses:
- One tmux session per project (e.g.,
epinowcast,EpiAware) - Multiple windows per feature/worktree within each session
- Standard pane layout per window: nvim (left) | happy (top-right) | REPL (bottom-right)
Key Commands
Navigation
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl-b w |
Visual window picker (tree view of all windows) |
Ctrl-b s |
Session picker |
Alt-1 to Alt-9 |
Jump to window by number (no prefix needed) |
Alt-h/j/k/l |
Switch panes (no prefix needed) |
Ctrl-b h/j/k/l |
Switch panes (with prefix) |
Ctrl-b n / Ctrl-b p |
Next/previous window |
Ctrl-b ( / ) |
Previous/next session |
Pane Management
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl-b | |
Split vertically |
Ctrl-b - |
Split horizontally |
Ctrl-b z |
Zoom/unzoom current pane |
Ctrl-b b |
Break pane to new window |
Ctrl-b D |
Create standard dev layout (nvim | happy / repl) |
Ctrl-b H/J/K/L |
Resize panes |
Copy Mode
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl-b [ |
Enter copy mode |
v |
Start selection (in copy mode) |
y or Enter |
Copy to clipboard |
q |
Exit copy mode |
Shell Functions
proj <project-name>
Start or attach to a project session.
proj epinowcast # Starts session with nvim, happy, R
proj EpiAware # Starts session with nvim, happy, Julia
feat <branch-name> [base-branch]
Create a new feature worktree and window within the current session.
feat add-new-model # Creates worktree from main
feat bugfix-123 develop # Creates worktree from develop
feat-done <branch-name>
Clean up a feature worktree and close its window.
feat-done add-new-model # Removes worktree and closes window
feat-list
List all worktrees in the current repository.
tmuxinator
Projects are started with tmuxinator using a generic template:
tmuxinator start project <name>
The template auto-detects:
- R projects (DESCRIPTION file) -> starts R/radian
- Julia projects (Project.toml) -> starts
julia --project=.
Neovim Integration
Auto-reload
Files changed by Claude Code are automatically reloaded in nvim. A notification appears when this happens.
Sending Code to REPL
The REPL pane receives code from nvim via iron.nvim:
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
<leader>sc |
Send current line or visual selection |
<leader>sf |
Send entire file |
<leader>su |
Send from file start to cursor |
<leader>sp |
Send paragraph |
<leader>sm |
Send function |
<leader>sb |
Send code block (Quarto/Rmd) |
<leader>sa |
Send all code blocks (Quarto/Rmd) |
REPL Management
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
<leader>rs |
Toggle REPL (auto-detects language) |
<leader>rr |
Restart REPL |
<leader>rf |
Focus REPL pane |
<leader>rh |
Hide REPL |
<leader>rj |
Start Julia REPL |
<leader>rR |
Start R REPL |
<leader>rp |
Start Python REPL |
Typical Workflow
- Start project:
proj myproject - Work on main branch in the first window
- Start feature:
feat new-feature(creates worktree + window) - Switch between features:
Ctrl-b worAlt-<number> - In each window:
- Edit in nvim (left pane)
- Use happy for Claude Code assistance (top-right)
- Test in REPL (bottom-right)
- Send code from nvim to REPL with
<leader>sc
- Complete feature: commit, push, PR
- Clean up:
feat-done new-feature
Session Naming
Each happy pane is started with --resume '<project>-<branch>':
- Main window:
happy --resume 'epinowcast-main' - Feature window:
happy --resume 'epinowcast-new-feature'
This allows resuming conversations per feature. Pane titles show happy:<branch> in the border.
Troubleshooting
Files not reloading in nvim
- Ensure
focus-eventsis enabled in tmux (already set in config) - Run
:checktimemanually in nvim
REPL not receiving code
- Check iron.nvim is targeting the correct pane
- Restart REPL with
<leader>rr
Wrong REPL type started
- Use language-specific commands:
<leader>rjfor Julia,<leader>rRfor R
Session already exists error
- Use
tmux attach -t <session>orproj <name>which handles this