Change pane color in Tmux

Tmux is one of the most useful tool when it comes to using using a linux terminal.

Tmux is a terminal multiplexer, it allows a user to access multiple terminals (or windows), each running a separate program, while providing a single screen to work on. Tmux is useful for running more than one command-line program at the same time, increasing productivity and the way you work.

Let’s say you have already created one or more tmux sessions, with several windows and panes. We will discuss how you can change color of tmux window.

Set color of a pane tmux

Let’s consider the case where you are inside your tmux pane. Go to the pane which you want to change the color i.e., make it your active pane.

Then, use the setting to set-option and change the color-

Ctrl-B
:
set-option -p window-active-style bg=black

Unset/Remove color of a pane tmux

In case you want to unset or revert the color of a pane, you can unset the same-

Ctrl-B
:
set-option -pu window-active-style bg=black

I hope you found this article useful, glad that you found it seamless to change the color of a pane in Tmux.

You can also check out the complete tmux cheatsheet of keyboard shortcuts and mouse shortcuts.

As a developer, I have come to value tools that increase my efficiency and productivity – checkout tmux cheatsheet. One such tool that I cannot do without is Tmux. It’s a game-changer for me, providing the ability to run multiple terminal sessions within one window or even from one session. What I love about Tmux is that it allows me to create, detach, and reattach sessions without a hitch. This means I can run long processes or manage servers seamlessly. I find its minimalist design and efficiency incredibly appealing.