# Tmux > Remote control tmux sessions for interactive CLIs (python, gdb, etc.) by sending keystrokes and scraping pane output. Use when this capability is needed. - Skill: `tomevault-io/tmux-19` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 2 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add tomevault-io/tmux-19` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tomevault-io/tmux-19/raw - Safety review: pending (external: skill-scanner PASS, skillspector PASS) - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Coding & Dev Tools - Author: tomevault-io (https://skillmd.com/u/tomevault-io) - Updated: 2026-09-17 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tomevault-io/tmux-19 --- # tmux Skill Use tmux as a programmable terminal multiplexer for interactive work. ## Targeting panes and windows - Target format: `{session}:{window}.{pane}`, defaults to `:0.0` if omitted. - Inspect sessions: `tmux list-sessions`. Do this if it's not clear which session to use. - Inspect windows: `tmux list-windows -t {session_name}`. Do this if it's not clear which window to use in a session. ## Sending input safely - Prefer literal sends to avoid shell splitting: `tmux send-keys -t {target} -l -- "$cmd"` - When composing inline commands, use single quotes or ANSI C quoting to avoid expansion: `tmux ... send-keys -t {target} -- $'python3 -m http.server 8000'`. - To send control keys: `tmux ... send-keys -t {target} C-c`, `C-d`, `C-z`, `Escape`, etc. - For example, to grab the logs on the third screen of the 'map' session, you'd run `tmux send-keys -t map:2 'ls -laht' C-m`. ## Watching output - Capture recent 200 lines of history (joined lines to avoid wrapping artifacts): `tmux capture-pane -p -J -t {target} -S -200`. - When giving instructions to a user, **explicitly print a copy/paste monitor command** alongside the action don't assume they remembered the command. - `-t`/`--target` pane target (required) - `-p`/`--pattern` regex to match (required); add `-F` for fixed string - `-T` timeout seconds (integer, default 15) - `-i` poll interval seconds (default 0.5) - `-l` history lines to search from the pane (integer, default 1000) - Exits 0 on first match, 1 on timeout. On failure prints the last captured text to stderr to aid debugging. --- > Converted and distributed by [TomeVault](https://tomevault.io/claim/ferrants) — claim your Tome and manage your conversions.