Zet - How do I use tmux copy mode?

How do I use tmux copy mode?

Answer

Enter copy mode with Prefix + [ (Ctrl+A, then [).

Once in copy mode (vi keys enabled):

ActionKey
Start selectionv
Copy selectiony
Move cursorh/j/k/l
Scroll upCtrl+u / Ctrl+b
Scroll downCtrl+d / Ctrl+f
Search forward/
Search backward?
Next matchn
Previous matchN
Cancel / quitq or Escape
Go to topg
Go to bottomG
Jump to line: + line number + Enter

Line numbers aren’t displayed in the gutter like vim. Use : to jump to a specific line. Your current line position can be shown in the status bar by adding #{cursor_y} to status-right — it only updates on newlines, not on page scroll, so it’s of limited use.

Example

To copy text from the terminal:

  1. Prefix + [ — enter copy mode
  2. Navigate to the text you want
  3. v — start highlighting
  4. Move with hjkl to select
  5. y — yank (copies to tmux buffer)

Paste with Prefix + ].

EasyJump (vim-easymotion-style)

Prefix + g — type 2 characters, then type the label letter to jump directly to that position. Works both in normal mode and inside copy mode (Ctrl + g).

No patterns, no pre-defined matches — just jump to any text on screen.

#tmux #copy-mode #vi #easyjump