A Comprehensive Guide to Scrolling in Tmux

If you’re a frequent user of Tmux, you know how important it is to be able to scroll through your terminal output efficiently. Scrolling in Tmux can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re new to it. But with the right commands and shortcuts, you can make scrolling through your terminal output a breeze. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about scrolling in Tmux, from the basics to more advanced techniques.

Tmux is a powerful terminal multiplexer that allows you to split your terminal into multiple panes, making it easy to run multiple commands at once. One of the most important features of Tmux is the ability to scroll through your terminal output. However, scrolling in Tmux can be a bit challenging for new users. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about scrolling in Tmux, from the basics to more advanced techniques.

The Basics of Scrolling in Tmux

Using the Mouse

If you’re using a graphical terminal emulator, you can use your mouse to scroll through your Tmux output. Simply hover your mouse over the pane you want to scroll and use your mouse wheel to scroll up or down. This method is straightforward and easy to use, but it can be a bit slow and imprecise.

Using the Keyboard

If you prefer to use your keyboard, Tmux offers several keyboard shortcuts for scrolling through your terminal output. The most basic shortcut is Ctrl-b [ which enters copy mode. From here, you can use the arrow keys to scroll through your output. To exit copy mode, simply press the q key.

Copy Mode

Copy mode is a powerful feature of Tmux that allows you to select and copy text from your terminal output. To enter copy mode, press Ctrl-b [ (as mentioned earlier). Once in copy mode, you can use the arrow keys to navigate to the text you want to select. To select text, press the Space key to start selection and move your cursor to select the desired text. Once you have selected your text, press Enter to copy it to the clipboard.

Advanced Scrolling Techniques

Copying and Pasting

Copy mode can also be used to copy text from one Tmux pane to another or even between Tmux sessions. To do this, simply enter copy mode in the pane with the text you want to copy, select the text, and then switch to the pane or session where you want to paste the text. Finally, press Ctrl-b ] to paste the text.

Scrolling Through a Specific Pane

If you have multiple panes open in Tmux, you can use the Ctrl-b q shortcut to highlight the pane number, and then press the corresponding number to jump directly to that pane. Once you are in the desired pane, you can use the keyboard or mouse to scroll through the output.

Scrolling with tmux-yank

Tmux-yank is a third-party tool that extends the functionality of Tmux by allowing you to copy text directly to your system clipboard. This tool can be used for more efficient copying and pasting of text within Tmux. To use tmux-yank, you must first install it on your system. Once installed, you can use the Ctrl-b shortcut to enter copy mode and select the text you want to copy. After selecting the text, press Ctrl-b y to copy it to the system clipboard.

Customizing Scrolling in Tmux

Tmux allows you to customize various settings related to scrolling, including the size of the scrollback buffer and the scroll speed. To set the scrollback buffer size, add the following line to your .tmux.conf file:

To change the scroll speed, you can adjust the repeat-time option. For example, to make the scroll speed faster, add the following line to your .tmux.conf file:

5. Troubleshooting Common Scrolling Issues

If you are experiencing issues with scrolling in Tmux, there are a few common issues that you may encounter. One issue is that the scrollback buffer may be full, preventing you from scrolling back any further. To fix this, you can increase the size of the scrollback buffer, as mentioned earlier.

Another common issue is that the scroll speed may be too slow. To fix this, you can adjust the repeat-time option, as mentioned earlier.

6. Conclusion

Scrolling through your terminal output in Tmux can be challenging at first, but with the right commands and shortcuts, you can become an expert in no time. In this guide, we covered the basics of scrolling in Tmux, advanced techniques like copying and pasting, and customizing scrolling settings. With this knowledge, you can navigate through your terminal output with ease and efficiency.

FAQs

1. Can I use the mouse to scroll in Tmux?

   • Yes, if you are using a graphical terminal emulator, you can use the mouse to scroll through your Tmux output.

2. How do I copy and paste text in Tmux?

   • You can use the Ctrl-b [ shortcut to enter copy mode, select the text you want to copy, and then use the Ctrl-b ] shortcut to paste it.

3. Can I customize the scrolling settings in Tmux?

   • Yes, you can customize settings like the size of the scrollback buffer and the scroll speed by adjusting options in your .tmux.conf file.

4. What should I do if I can’t scroll back any further in Tmux?

   • This may be due to the scrollback buffer being full. To fix this, you can increase the size of the scrollback buffer in your .tmux.conf file.

5. What is tmux-yank?

   • Tmux-yank is a third-party tool that extends the functionality of Tmux by allowing you to copy text directly to your system clipboard.

Additional Resources

If you want to learn more about scrolling in Tmux, here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

• Tmux User Guide – The official Tmux user guide provides detailed documentation on all Tmux features, including scrolling.
• Tmux Cheat Sheet – This cheat sheet provides a quick reference guide to Tmux commands and shortcuts, including those related to scrolling.
• Tmux Tutorial: Split Terminal Windows Easily – This tutorial provides an overview of Tmux, including scrolling and other advanced features.

Conclusion

Scrolling in Tmux can be a powerful tool for navigating and working with terminal output. With the right commands and shortcuts, you can quickly move through large amounts of text and copy and paste information as needed. By customizing your scrolling settings and troubleshooting common issues, you can optimize your Tmux scrolling experience and become a more efficient and productive terminal user.

By default, Tmux limits the amount of scrollback buffer it retains to 2,000 lines of text. However, this may not be sufficient for some users who need to review more extensive logs or command output. Fortunately, Tmux allows you to customize the size of the scrollback buffer by modifying the history-limit option.

To set the scrollback buffer to a higher value, you can add the following line to your Tmux configuration file:

Replace <number of lines> with the maximum number of lines you want to retain in the scrollback buffer. For example, to set the buffer to 10,000 lines, you would use the following command:

Once you have updated your configuration file, you can reload Tmux to apply the changes by pressing prefix + : (colon) to enter the Tmux command prompt and then entering the following command:

Note that setting a large value for the scrollback buffer may have performance implications, especially if you are working with limited system resources. You may need to experiment with different buffer sizes to find the optimal value for your needs.

5. Troubleshooting Common Scrolling Issues

While scrolling in Tmux is generally straightforward, there are a few common issues that you may encounter. Here are some troubleshooting tips for addressing these problems:

Scrolling does not work

If scrolling does not work in Tmux, make sure that the mode-mouse option is enabled in your Tmux configuration file. You can check this by running the following command:

If mode-mouse is set to off, you can enable it by adding the following line to your configuration file:

Scrolling is slow or laggy

If scrolling is slow or laggy in Tmux, it may be due to a large number of lines in the scrollback buffer. You can try reducing the buffer size by setting the history-limit option to a smaller value (as discussed in the previous section). You may also want to check if there are any resource-intensive processes running on your system that could be impacting Tmux performance.

Scrolling displays garbled text

If scrolling displays garbled or distorted text in Tmux, it may be due to incorrect terminal settings. Make sure that your terminal emulator is set to the correct character encoding and that your Tmux configuration file includes appropriate settings for your terminal type. You may also want to check if there are any conflicting settings between your terminal emulator and Tmux.

6. Conclusion

Scrolling in Tmux can be a powerful tool for navigating and working with terminal output, and with the right commands and shortcuts, you can quickly move through large amounts of text and copy and paste information as needed. By customizing your scrolling settings and troubleshooting common issues, you can optimize your Tmux scrolling experience and become a more efficient and productive terminal user.

Tmux is a powerful terminal multiplexer that allows you to create and manage multiple terminal sessions within a single window. One of the most useful features of Tmux is its ability to scroll through terminal output, making it easier to review logs, command output, and other text-based data. In this guide, we’ll explore the various ways you can scroll in Tmux, including keyboard shortcuts, mouse support, and customizing your scrolling settings.

Scrolling in Tmux

Tmux allows you to scroll through terminal output in several ways, including keyboard shortcuts, mouse support, and customizing your scrolling settings. Scrolling is especially useful when working with large amounts of text, such as reviewing logs or command output, or when copying and pasting information from terminal sessions.

Scrolling with Keyboard Shortcuts

Tmux provides several keyboard shortcuts for scrolling through terminal output. Here are some of the most commonly used shortcuts:

Basic Scrolling

To start scrolling through terminal output in Tmux, press prefix + [ to enter copy mode. Once in copy mode, you can use the arrow keys or Page Up/Page Down keys to scroll through the text. Press q to exit copy mode and return to the regular Tmux session.

Scrolling by Page

To scroll through terminal output by page, use the Page Up and Page Down keys while holding down the Control key. This will allow you to quickly move through large amounts of text.

Scrolling by Line

To scroll through terminal output by line, use the Up and Down arrow keys while holding down the Shift key. This will allow you to move through the text one line at a time.

Scrolling with Mouse Support

Tmux also provides mouse support for scrolling through terminal output. To enable mouse support, add the following line to your Tmux configuration file:

Once enabled, you can use the mouse wheel or trackpad to scroll through terminal output. Click and drag with the mouse to select text, and use the right-click menu to copy or paste text.

Setting Scrollback Buffer

By default, Tmux limits the amount of scrollback buffer it retains to 2,000 lines of text. However, this may not be sufficient for some users who need to review more extensive logs or command output. Fortunately, Tmux allows you to customize the size of the scrollback buffer by modifying the history-limit option.

To set the scrollback buffer to a higher value, you can add the following line to your Tmux configuration file:

Replace <number of lines> with the maximum number of lines you want to retain in the scrollback buffer. For example, to set the buffer to 10,000 lines, you would use the following command:

Once you have updated your configuration file, you can reload Tmux to apply the changes by pressing prefix + : (colon) to enter the command prompt, typing source-file ~/.tmux.conf, and pressing Enter.

While scrolling in Tmux is generally straightforward, there are a few common issues that users may encounter. Here are some troubleshooting tips for resolving these issues:

• If you’re having trouble scrolling through terminal output using the keyboard, make sure that you’re in copy mode (prefix + [).
• If you’re using a laptop or a mouse without a scroll wheel, you may need to enable mouse support in your Tmux configuration file (set-option -g mode-mouse on) to scroll with your trackpad.
• If Tmux is not retaining as much text in the scrollback buffer as you’d like, try increasing the history-limit setting in your Tmux configuration file.
• If you’re having issues with mouse selection or copy/paste, make sure that your terminal emulator is properly configured to support mouse actions.

 FAQs

1. How do I enable mouse support in Tmux?

• Add the line set-option -g mode-mouse on to your Tmux configuration file.

2. How do I increase the scrollback buffer size in Tmux?

• Add the line set-option -g history-limit <number of lines> to your Tmux configuration file, replacing <number of lines> with the desired buffer size.

3. Can I use the mouse to select and copy text in Tmux?

• Yes, enable mouse support in your Tmux configuration file and use the right-click menu to copy or paste text.

4. How do I exit copy mode in Tmux?

• Press q to exit copy mode and return to the regular Tmux session.

5. What should I do if Tmux is not retaining as much text in the scrollback buffer as I’d like?

Try increasing the history-limit setting in your Tmux configuration file to retain more lines of text.

6. Can I use Tmux on Windows?

Yes, Tmux can be used on Windows by using a terminal emulator such as Git Bash or Windows Terminal. However, the process of installing and configuring Tmux on Windows may differ slightly from that of Linux or macOS. It’s recommended to follow a guide specific to your chosen terminal emulator and version of Windows to properly set up Tmux.

7. How do I scroll up and down in copy mode with the keyboard?

To scroll up and down in copy mode using the keyboard, use the arrow keys or the Page Up and Page Down keys. You can also search for text by pressing / and entering your search query.

8. How do I save text from the scrollback buffer to a file?

To save text from the scrollback buffer to a file, enter copy mode (prefix + [) and navigate to the desired text. Then, press Space to begin selecting text and use the arrow keys or the Page Up and Page Down keys to select the desired text. Once you have selected the text, press Enter to copy it to the clipboard. You can then paste the text into a text editor or terminal window to save it to a file.

9. How do I clear the scrollback buffer in Tmux?

To clear the scrollback buffer in Tmux, enter copy mode (prefix + [) and press Enter to start a new line. Then, type the command clear-history and press Enter. This will clear the scrollback buffer and remove all previous terminal output.

10. How can I customize the Tmux scrolling behavior?

You can customize the Tmux scrolling behavior by modifying the scroll-mode setting in your Tmux configuration file. This setting controls how Tmux scrolls through terminal output in copy mode. By default, Tmux uses a “page-based” scrolling behavior, where each page of text is displayed as a separate screen. However, you can also enable “line-based” scrolling, where Tmux scrolls through text one line at a time. To enable line-based scrolling, add the line set-option -g mode-keys vi to your Tmux configuration file.

Conclusion

Scrolling in Tmux is an essential feature that can help you manage large amounts of text within a single terminal session. Whether you prefer using keyboard shortcuts or mouse support, Tmux provides a variety of options to suit your needs. By customizing your scrolling settings and troubleshooting common issues, you can make the most of Tmux’s powerful scrolling capabilities.

A Comprehensive Guide to Scrolling in Tmux

If you’re a frequent user of Tmux, you know how important it is to be able to scroll through your terminal output efficiently. Scrolling in Tmux can be a bit tricky, especially if you’re new to it. But with the right commands and shortcuts, you can make scrolling through your terminal output a breeze. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about scrolling in Tmux, from the basics to more advanced techniques.

Tmux is a powerful terminal multiplexer that allows you to split your terminal into multiple panes, making it easy to run multiple commands at once. One of the most important features of Tmux is the ability to scroll through your terminal output. However, scrolling in Tmux can be a bit challenging for new users. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about scrolling in Tmux, from the basics to more advanced techniques.

The Basics of Scrolling in Tmux

Using the Mouse

If you’re using a graphical terminal emulator, you can use your mouse to scroll through your Tmux output. Simply hover your mouse over the pane you want to scroll and use your mouse wheel to scroll up or down. This method is straightforward and easy to use, but it can be a bit slow and imprecise.

Using the Keyboard

If you prefer to use your keyboard, Tmux offers several keyboard shortcuts for scrolling through your terminal output. The most basic shortcut is Ctrl-b [ which enters copy mode. From here, you can use the arrow keys to scroll through your output. To exit copy mode, simply press the q key.

Copy Mode

Copy mode is a powerful feature of Tmux that allows you to select and copy text from your terminal output. To enter copy mode, press Ctrl-b [ (as mentioned earlier). Once in copy mode, you can use the arrow keys to navigate to the text you want to select. To select text, press the Space key to start selection and move your cursor to select the desired text. Once you have selected your text, press Enter to copy it to the clipboard.

Advanced Scrolling Techniques

Copying and Pasting

Copy mode can also be used to copy text from one Tmux pane to another or even between Tmux sessions. To do this, simply enter copy mode in the pane with the text you want to copy, select the text, and then switch to the pane or session where you want to paste the text. Finally, press Ctrl-b ] to paste the text.

Scrolling Through a Specific Pane

If you have multiple panes open in Tmux, you can use the Ctrl-b q shortcut to highlight the pane number, and then press the corresponding number to jump directly to that pane. Once you are in the desired pane, you can use the keyboard or mouse to scroll through the output.

Scrolling with tmux-yank

Tmux-yank is a third-party tool that extends the functionality of Tmux by allowing you to copy text directly to your system clipboard. This tool can be used for more efficient copying and pasting of text within Tmux. To use tmux-yank, you must first install it on your system. Once installed, you can use the Ctrl-b shortcut to enter copy mode and select the text you want to copy. After selecting the text, press Ctrl-b y to copy it to the system clipboard.

Customizing Scrolling in Tmux

Tmux allows you to customize various settings related to scrolling, including the size of the scrollback buffer and the scroll speed. To set the scrollback buffer size, add the following line to your .tmux.conf file:

To change the scroll speed, you can adjust the repeat-time option. For example, to make the scroll speed faster, add the following line to your .tmux.conf file:

5. Troubleshooting Common Scrolling Issues

If you are experiencing issues with scrolling in Tmux, there are a few common issues that you may encounter. One issue is that the scrollback buffer may be full, preventing you from scrolling back any further. To fix this, you can increase the size of the scrollback buffer, as mentioned earlier.

Another common issue is that the scroll speed may be too slow. To fix this, you can adjust the repeat-time option, as mentioned earlier.

6. Conclusion

Scrolling through your terminal output in Tmux can be challenging at first, but with the right commands and shortcuts, you can become an expert in no time. In this guide, we covered the basics of scrolling in Tmux, advanced techniques like copying and pasting, and customizing scrolling settings. With this knowledge, you can navigate through your terminal output with ease and efficiency.

FAQs

1. Can I use the mouse to scroll in Tmux?

   • Yes, if you are using a graphical terminal emulator, you can use the mouse to scroll through your Tmux output.

2. How do I copy and paste text in Tmux?

   • You can use the Ctrl-b [ shortcut to enter copy mode, select the text you want to copy, and then use the Ctrl-b ] shortcut to paste it.

3. Can I customize the scrolling settings in Tmux?

   • Yes, you can customize settings like the size of the scrollback buffer and the scroll speed by adjusting options in your .tmux.conf file.

4. What should I do if I can’t scroll back any further in Tmux?

   • This may be due to the scrollback buffer being full. To fix this, you can increase the size of the scrollback buffer in your .tmux.conf file.

5. What is tmux-yank?

   • Tmux-yank is a third-party tool that extends the functionality of Tmux by allowing you to copy text directly to your system clipboard.

Additional Resources

If you want to learn more about scrolling in Tmux, here are some additional resources that you may find helpful:

• Tmux User Guide – The official Tmux user guide provides detailed documentation on all Tmux features, including scrolling.
• Tmux Cheat Sheet – This cheat sheet provides a quick reference guide to Tmux commands and shortcuts, including those related to scrolling.
• Tmux Tutorial: Split Terminal Windows Easily – This tutorial provides an overview of Tmux, including scrolling and other advanced features.

Conclusion

Scrolling in Tmux can be a powerful tool for navigating and working with terminal output. With the right commands and shortcuts, you can quickly move through large amounts of text and copy and paste information as needed. By customizing your scrolling settings and troubleshooting common issues, you can optimize your Tmux scrolling experience and become a more efficient and productive terminal user.

By default, Tmux limits the amount of scrollback buffer it retains to 2,000 lines of text. However, this may not be sufficient for some users who need to review more extensive logs or command output. Fortunately, Tmux allows you to customize the size of the scrollback buffer by modifying the history-limit option.

To set the scrollback buffer to a higher value, you can add the following line to your Tmux configuration file:

Replace <number of lines> with the maximum number of lines you want to retain in the scrollback buffer. For example, to set the buffer to 10,000 lines, you would use the following command:

Once you have updated your configuration file, you can reload Tmux to apply the changes by pressing prefix + : (colon) to enter the Tmux command prompt and then entering the following command:

Note that setting a large value for the scrollback buffer may have performance implications, especially if you are working with limited system resources. You may need to experiment with different buffer sizes to find the optimal value for your needs.

5. Troubleshooting Common Scrolling Issues

While scrolling in Tmux is generally straightforward, there are a few common issues that you may encounter. Here are some troubleshooting tips for addressing these problems:

Scrolling does not work

If scrolling does not work in Tmux, make sure that the mode-mouse option is enabled in your Tmux configuration file. You can check this by running the following command:

If mode-mouse is set to off, you can enable it by adding the following line to your configuration file:

Scrolling is slow or laggy

If scrolling is slow or laggy in Tmux, it may be due to a large number of lines in the scrollback buffer. You can try reducing the buffer size by setting the history-limit option to a smaller value (as discussed in the previous section). You may also want to check if there are any resource-intensive processes running on your system that could be impacting Tmux performance.

Scrolling displays garbled text

If scrolling displays garbled or distorted text in Tmux, it may be due to incorrect terminal settings. Make sure that your terminal emulator is set to the correct character encoding and that your Tmux configuration file includes appropriate settings for your terminal type. You may also want to check if there are any conflicting settings between your terminal emulator and Tmux.

6. Conclusion

Scrolling in Tmux can be a powerful tool for navigating and working with terminal output, and with the right commands and shortcuts, you can quickly move through large amounts of text and copy and paste information as needed. By customizing your scrolling settings and troubleshooting common issues, you can optimize your Tmux scrolling experience and become a more efficient and productive terminal user.

Tmux is a powerful terminal multiplexer that allows you to create and manage multiple terminal sessions within a single window. One of the most useful features of Tmux is its ability to scroll through terminal output, making it easier to review logs, command output, and other text-based data. In this guide, we’ll explore the various ways you can scroll in Tmux, including keyboard shortcuts, mouse support, and customizing your scrolling settings.

Scrolling in Tmux

Tmux allows you to scroll through terminal output in several ways, including keyboard shortcuts, mouse support, and customizing your scrolling settings. Scrolling is especially useful when working with large amounts of text, such as reviewing logs or command output, or when copying and pasting information from terminal sessions.

Scrolling with Keyboard Shortcuts

Tmux provides several keyboard shortcuts for scrolling through terminal output. Here are some of the most commonly used shortcuts:

Basic Scrolling

To start scrolling through terminal output in Tmux, press prefix + [ to enter copy mode. Once in copy mode, you can use the arrow keys or Page Up/Page Down keys to scroll through the text. Press q to exit copy mode and return to the regular Tmux session.

Scrolling by Page

To scroll through terminal output by page, use the Page Up and Page Down keys while holding down the Control key. This will allow you to quickly move through large amounts of text.

Scrolling by Line

To scroll through terminal output by line, use the Up and Down arrow keys while holding down the Shift key. This will allow you to move through the text one line at a time.

Scrolling with Mouse Support

Tmux also provides mouse support for scrolling through terminal output. To enable mouse support, add the following line to your Tmux configuration file:

Once enabled, you can use the mouse wheel or trackpad to scroll through terminal output. Click and drag with the mouse to select text, and use the right-click menu to copy or paste text.

Setting Scrollback Buffer

By default, Tmux limits the amount of scrollback buffer it retains to 2,000 lines of text. However, this may not be sufficient for some users who need to review more extensive logs or command output. Fortunately, Tmux allows you to customize the size of the scrollback buffer by modifying the history-limit option.

To set the scrollback buffer to a higher value, you can add the following line to your Tmux configuration file:

Replace <number of lines> with the maximum number of lines you want to retain in the scrollback buffer. For example, to set the buffer to 10,000 lines, you would use the following command:

Once you have updated your configuration file, you can reload Tmux to apply the changes by pressing prefix + : (colon) to enter the command prompt, typing source-file ~/.tmux.conf, and pressing Enter.

While scrolling in Tmux is generally straightforward, there are a few common issues that users may encounter. Here are some troubleshooting tips for resolving these issues:

• If you’re having trouble scrolling through terminal output using the keyboard, make sure that you’re in copy mode (prefix + [).
• If you’re using a laptop or a mouse without a scroll wheel, you may need to enable mouse support in your Tmux configuration file (set-option -g mode-mouse on) to scroll with your trackpad.
• If Tmux is not retaining as much text in the scrollback buffer as you’d like, try increasing the history-limit setting in your Tmux configuration file.
• If you’re having issues with mouse selection or copy/paste, make sure that your terminal emulator is properly configured to support mouse actions.

 FAQs

1. How do I enable mouse support in Tmux?

• Add the line set-option -g mode-mouse on to your Tmux configuration file.

2. How do I increase the scrollback buffer size in Tmux?

• Add the line set-option -g history-limit <number of lines> to your Tmux configuration file, replacing <number of lines> with the desired buffer size.

3. Can I use the mouse to select and copy text in Tmux?

• Yes, enable mouse support in your Tmux configuration file and use the right-click menu to copy or paste text.

4. How do I exit copy mode in Tmux?

• Press q to exit copy mode and return to the regular Tmux session.

5. What should I do if Tmux is not retaining as much text in the scrollback buffer as I’d like?

Try increasing the history-limit setting in your Tmux configuration file to retain more lines of text.

6. Can I use Tmux on Windows?

Yes, Tmux can be used on Windows by using a terminal emulator such as Git Bash or Windows Terminal. However, the process of installing and configuring Tmux on Windows may differ slightly from that of Linux or macOS. It’s recommended to follow a guide specific to your chosen terminal emulator and version of Windows to properly set up Tmux.

7. How do I scroll up and down in copy mode with the keyboard?

To scroll up and down in copy mode using the keyboard, use the arrow keys or the Page Up and Page Down keys. You can also search for text by pressing / and entering your search query.

8. How do I save text from the scrollback buffer to a file?

To save text from the scrollback buffer to a file, enter copy mode (prefix + [) and navigate to the desired text. Then, press Space to begin selecting text and use the arrow keys or the Page Up and Page Down keys to select the desired text. Once you have selected the text, press Enter to copy it to the clipboard. You can then paste the text into a text editor or terminal window to save it to a file.

9. How do I clear the scrollback buffer in Tmux?

To clear the scrollback buffer in Tmux, enter copy mode (prefix + [) and press Enter to start a new line. Then, type the command clear-history and press Enter. This will clear the scrollback buffer and remove all previous terminal output.

10. How can I customize the Tmux scrolling behavior?

You can customize the Tmux scrolling behavior by modifying the scroll-mode setting in your Tmux configuration file. This setting controls how Tmux scrolls through terminal output in copy mode. By default, Tmux uses a “page-based” scrolling behavior, where each page of text is displayed as a separate screen. However, you can also enable “line-based” scrolling, where Tmux scrolls through text one line at a time. To enable line-based scrolling, add the line set-option -g mode-keys vi to your Tmux configuration file.

Conclusion

Scrolling in Tmux is an essential feature that can help you manage large amounts of text within a single terminal session. Whether you prefer using keyboard shortcuts or mouse support, Tmux provides a variety of options to suit your needs. By customizing your scrolling settings and troubleshooting common issues, you can make the most of Tmux’s powerful scrolling capabilities.