Agent skill

tmux

Manages background processes, captures command output, and handles session multiplexing. Use when running long-running commands, capturing output from detached processes, or managing concurrent tasks in headless environments.

View SKILL.md on GitHub Repository
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Install this agent skill to your Project

npx add-skill https://github.com/knoopx/pi/tree/main/agent/skills/tmux

SKILL.md

tmux

Terminal multiplexer for background processes, output capture, and session management.

Quick Reference

Command Description
tmux new -d -s name 'cmd' Run command in background session
tmux capture-pane -t name -p Capture output from session
tmux send-keys -t name 'text' Enter Send input to session
tmux kill-session -t name Terminate session
tmux ls List all sessions
tmux has -t name Check if session exists

Running Background Processes

bash
# Run command in new detached session
tmux new-session -d -s myserver 'python -m http.server 8080'

# With specific working directory
tmux new-session -d -s build -c /path/to/project 'make build'

# Keep session alive after command completes
tmux new-session -d -s task 'command; exec bash'

# Run only if session doesn't exist
tmux has -t myserver || tmux new-session -d -s myserver 'command'

Capturing Output

bash
# Capture visible output
tmux capture-pane -t mysession -p

# Capture entire scrollback history
tmux capture-pane -t mysession -p -S -

# Capture last N lines
tmux capture-pane -t mysession -p -S -100

# Save to file
tmux capture-pane -t mysession -p > output.txt

# Capture with escape sequences (colors)
tmux capture-pane -t mysession -p -e

Sending Input

bash
# Send text and Enter
tmux send-keys -t mysession 'echo hello' Enter

# Send without Enter
tmux send-keys -t mysession 'some-text'

# Send Ctrl+C
tmux send-keys -t mysession C-c

Session Management

bash
# List sessions
tmux list-sessions
tmux ls

# Kill specific session
tmux kill-session -t myserver

# Kill all sessions
tmux kill-server

# Check if session exists
tmux has -t mysession

Wait for Completion

bash
# Signal completion from command
tmux new-session -d -s job 'command; tmux wait-for -S job-done'

# Wait for signal
tmux wait-for job-done

Common Patterns

Development Servers

bash
tmux new-session -d -s backend 'bun run backend'
tmux new-session -d -s frontend 'bun run frontend'
tmux new-session -d -s tests 'vitest --watch'

Run and Capture Output

bash
tmux new-session -d -s job 'command'
sleep 0.5
output=$(tmux capture-pane -t job -p)
echo "$output"

Conditional Session

bash
tmux has -t myserver || tmux new-session -d -s myserver 'command'

Cleanup

bash
tmux kill-session -t backend
tmux kill-session -t frontend
tmux kill-server  # Kill all

Tips

  • Use tmux new-session -d for background processes
  • Use tmux capture-pane -p -S - for full scrollback
  • Use tmux has -t name to check session existence
  • Use tmux kill-server to clean up all sessions
  • Use -c /path to set working directory
  • Use exec bash to keep session alive after command

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