The `screen` and `tmux` for Session Management

Mastering Session Management in Linux with screen and tmux

When working with Linux, especially via SSH (Secure Shell), you might find yourself needing a robust way to manage multiple sessions without losing progress—even if your connection drops. Two powerful tools that help in this regard are screen and tmux. Both are terminal multiplexers, allowing you to manage several sessions within a single terminal window. Here, we’ll dive deep into the basics of how to install and use these tools and the unique features of each using different package managers.

What is screen?

GNU screen is a terminal multiplexer that lets you resume sessions if your connection gets interrupted. It's like having a window manager for your console or terminal.

Installing screen

Depending on your Linux distribution, you can install screen using one of the following package managers:

• Debian/Ubuntu: Use apt:

  sudo apt update
  sudo apt install screen
  

• Fedora: Use dnf:

  sudo dnf install screen
  

• openSUSE: Use zypper:

  sudo zypper install screen
  

Basic Commands for screen

• To start a session:

  screen
  

• To list running sessions:

  screen -ls
  

• To reattach to a session:

  screen -r [session ID]
  

• To detach from a session: Press Ctrl-a followed by d.

What is tmux?

tmux is another terminal multiplexer, similar to screen but with a more modern feature set. It allows you to switch easily between several programs in one terminal, detach them, and reattach them to a different terminal.

Installing tmux

tmux can be installed similarly depending on your distribution:

• Debian/Ubuntu:

  sudo apt update
  sudo apt install tmux
  

• Fedora:

  sudo dnf install tmux
  

• openSUSE:

  sudo zypper install tmux
  

Basic Commands for tmux

• To start a new session:

  tmux
  

• To create a new window: Press Ctrl-b followed by c.

• To switch between windows: Press Ctrl-b followed by the window number (0, 1, 2, ...).

• To detach from a session: Press Ctrl-b followed by d.

• To list sessions:

  tmux ls
  

• To attach to a session:

  tmux attach-session -t [session name or ID]
  

screen vs tmux: Which Should You Use?

Both tools are fantastic and offer great features. The choice largely depends on specific needs:

• Use screen if:

  • You need a simple solution that’s been robust since the 1980s.
  • Your environment does not support tmux.

• Use tmux if:

  • You want a more modern interface and active development.
  • You need features like vertical and horizontal pane splitting.

Tips for Effective Session Management

• Customise Keybindings: Both tmux and screen allow you to customise keybindings. Utilize this to make your workflow faster and more comfortable.

• Use Session Naming: Naming your sessions can drastically improve your efficiency, especially when managing multiple sessions.

• Persist Setup: Use scripts to create your default setup in tmux, so you can get back to work quickly by initiating sessions through a single command.

Whether you choose screen or tmux, mastering these tools can be a total game-changer in handling terminal sessions efficiently. Consider your needs, experiment with both, and choose the one that fits your workflow best.