Tmux

Overview

Use tmux to run background jobs while continuing other work. Keep all skill-managed windows in one session, tmux-opencode, so inspection and cleanup happen in one place. Default to wrapper scripts over manual command chaining. Do not block by default; opt in to blocking wait only when requested.

Verify Environment

Confirm tmux availability before using this skill.

tmux -V

If tmux is unavailable, run commands in the foreground.

Session Model

Standardize on a single session.

SESSION="tmux-opencode"
tmux new-session -d -s "$SESSION" -n "main" 2>/dev/null || true
tmux list-windows -t "$SESSION"

scripts/tmux_run_job.py auto-creates this session when missing.

First-Time Setup

Install managed cron cleanup once per machine/user.

python3 scripts/tmux_healthcheck_cron.py --action install

Verify installation.

python3 scripts/tmux_healthcheck_cron.py --action status

Run Jobs (Wrapper First)

Run a command in the background (default behavior).

python3 scripts/tmux_run_job.py --command "npm start"

Run in a named window (auto-normalized to oc-*).

python3 scripts/tmux_run_job.py --window server --command "npm start"

Block until completion only when requested.

python3 scripts/tmux_run_job.py --window build --command "npm run build" --wait

Wait later for an already-started job by target.

python3 scripts/tmux_run_job.py --wait-target "tmux-opencode:oc-build"

Use wait timeout when blocking behavior needs a guardrail.

python3 scripts/tmux_run_job.py --window build --command "npm run build" --wait --wait-timeout-seconds 1800

Auto-close successful windows when waiting.

python3 scripts/tmux_run_job.py --window lint --command "npm run lint" --wait --close-window success

Inspect Output and Control Jobs

Capture visible output.

tmux capture-pane -p -t "tmux-opencode:oc-server"

Capture full scrollback.

tmux capture-pane -p -S - -t "tmux-opencode:oc-server"

Interrupt a running command.

tmux send-keys -t "tmux-opencode:oc-server" C-c

Kill one window.

tmux kill-window -t "tmux-opencode:oc-server"

Cleanup and Healthcheck

Show window health (idle minutes, active state).

python3 scripts/tmux_healthcheck.py

Dry-run stale window cleanup.

python3 scripts/tmux_healthcheck.py --cleanup --max-idle-minutes 240 --dry-run

Run cleanup for stale windows and legacy sessions after interruptions or crashes.

python3 scripts/tmux_healthcheck.py --cleanup --max-idle-minutes 240 --cleanup-legacy-sessions

Install or update automatic periodic cleanup cron (idempotent managed entry).

python3 scripts/tmux_healthcheck_cron.py --action install

Preview cron line without writing.

python3 scripts/tmux_healthcheck_cron.py --action install --dry-run

Check installed cron status.

python3 scripts/tmux_healthcheck_cron.py --action status

Remove the managed cron entry.

python3 scripts/tmux_healthcheck_cron.py --action remove

Quick Pattern

1. Start jobs with scripts/tmux_run_job.py (background by default).
2. Inspect output with tmux capture-pane when needed.
3. Add --wait for immediate blocking, or --wait-target for wait-after-start.
4. Run scripts/tmux_healthcheck.py --cleanup periodically or at session end.
5. Prefer scripts/tmux_healthcheck_cron.py --action install for automatic recovery cleanup.