using-tmux-for-interactive-commands

Name: using-tmux-for-interactive-commands
Author: obra

401stars30forks

How to install using-tmux-for-interactive-commands?

obra/superpowers-lab/using-tmux-for-interactive-commands

$npx -y skills add obra/superpowers-lab --skill using-tmux-for-interactive-commands

Installs into the current project.

Summary

Use when you need to run interactive CLI tools (vim, git rebase -i, Python REPL, etc.) that require real-time input/output - provides tmux-based approach for controlling interactive sessions through detached sessions and send-keys

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SKILL.md

1	# Using tmux for Interactive Commands
2
3	## Overview
4
5	Interactive CLI tools (vim, interactive git rebase, REPLs, etc.) cannot be controlled through standard bash because they require a real terminal. tmux provides detached sessions that can be controlled programmatically via `send-keys` and `capture-pane`.
6
7	## When to Use
8
9	Use tmux when:
10	- Running vim, nano, or other text editors programmatically
11	- Controlling interactive REPLs (Python, Node, etc.)
12	- Handling interactive git commands (`git rebase -i`, `git add -p`)
13	- Working with full-screen terminal apps (htop, etc.)
14	- Commands that require terminal control codes or readline
15
16	Don't use for:
17	- Simple non-interactive commands (use regular Bash tool)
18	- Commands that accept input via stdin redirection
19	- One-shot commands that don't need interaction
20
21	## Quick Reference
22
23	\| Task \| Command \|
24	\|------\|---------\|
25	\| Start session \| `tmux new-session -d -s <name> <command>` \|
26	\| Send input \| `tmux send-keys -t <name> 'text' Enter` \|
27	\| Capture output \| `tmux capture-pane -t <name> -p` \|
28	\| Stop session \| `tmux kill-session -t <name>` \|
29	\| List sessions \| `tmux list-sessions` \|
30
31	## Core Pattern
32
33	### Before (Won't Work)
34	```bash
35	# This hangs because vim expects interactive terminal
36	bash -c "vim file.txt"
37	```
38
39	### After (Works)
40	```bash
41	# Create detached tmux session
42	tmux new-session -d -s edit_session vim file.txt
43
44	# Send commands (Enter, Escape are tmux key names)
45	tmux send-keys -t edit_session 'i' 'Hello World' Escape ':wq' Enter
46
47	# Capture what's on screen
48	tmux capture-pane -t edit_session -p
49
50	# Clean up
51	tmux kill-session -t edit_session
52	```
53
54	## Implementation
55
56	### Basic Workflow
57
58	1. Create detached session with the interactive command
59	2. Wait briefly for initialization (100-500ms depending on command)
60	3. Send input using `send-keys` (can send special keys like Enter, Escape)
61	4. Capture output using `capture-pane -p` to see current screen state
62	5. Repeat steps 3-4 as needed
63	6. Terminate session when done
64
65	### Special Keys
66
67	Common tmux key names:
68	- `Enter` - Return/newline
69	- `Escape` - ESC key
70	- `C-c` - Ctrl+C
71	- `C-x` - Ctrl+X
72	- `Up`, `Down`, `Left`, `Right` - Arrow keys
73	- `Space` - Space bar
74	- `BSpace` - Backspace
75
76	### Working Directory
77
78	Specify working directory when creating session:
79	```bash
80	tmux new-session -d -s git_session -c /path/to/repo git rebase -i HEAD~3
81	```
82
83	### Helper Wrapper
84
85	For easier use, see `/home/jesse/git/interactive-command/tmux-wrapper.sh`:
86	```bash
87	# Start session
88	/path/to/tmux-wrapper.sh start <session-name> <command> [args...]
89
90	# Send input
91	/path/to/tmux-wrapper.sh send <session-name> 'text' Enter
92
93	# Capture current state
94	/path/to/tmux-wrapper.sh capture <session-name>
95
96	# Stop
97	/path/to/tmux-wrapper.sh stop <session-name>
98	```
99
100	## Common Patterns
101
102	### Python REPL
103	```bash
104	tmux new-session -d -s python python3 -i
105	tmux send-keys -t python 'import math' Enter
106	tmux send-keys -t python 'print(math.pi)' Enter
107	tmux capture-pane -t python -p # See output
108	tmux kill-session -t python
109	```
110
111	### Vim Editing
112	```bash
113	tmux new-session -d -s vim vim /tmp/file.txt
114	sleep 0.3 # Wait for vim to start
115	tmux send-keys -t vim 'i' 'New content' Escape ':wq' Enter
116	# File is now saved
117	```
118
119	### Interactive Git Rebase
120	```bash
121	tmux new-session -d -s rebase -c /repo/path git rebase -i HEAD~3
122	sleep 0.5
123	tmux capture-pane -t rebase -p # See rebase editor
124	# Send commands to modify rebase instructions
125	tmux send-keys -t rebase 'Down' 'Home' 'squash' Escape
126	tmux send-keys -t rebase ':wq' Enter
127	```
128
129	## Common Mistakes
130
131	### Not Waiting After Session Start
132	Problem: Capturing immediately after `new-session` shows blank screen
133
134	Fix: Add brief sleep (100-500ms) before first capture
135	```bash
136	tmux new-session -d -s sess command
137	sleep 0.3 # Let command initialize
138	tmux capture-pane -t sess -p
139	```
140
141	### Forgetting Enter Key
142	Problem: Commands typed but not executed
143
144	Fix: Explicitly send Enter
145	```bash
146	tmux send-keys -t sess 'print("hello")' Enter # Note: Enter is separate argument
147	```
148
149	### Using Wrong Key Names
150	Problem: `tmux send-keys -t sess '\n'` doesn't work
151
152	Fix: Use tmux key names: `Enter`, not `\n`
153	```bash
154	tmux send-keys -t sess 'text' Enter # ✓
155	tmux send-keys -t sess 'text\n' # ✗
156	```
157
158	### Not Cleaning Up Sessions
159	Problem: Orphaned tmux sessions accumulate
160
161	Fix: Always kill sessions when done
162	```bash
163	tmux kill-session -t session_name
164	# Or check for existing: tmux has-session -t name 2>/dev/null
165	```
166
167	## Real-World Impact
168
169	- Enables programmatic control of vim/nano for file editing
170	- Allows automation of interactive git workflows (rebase, add -p)
171	- Makes REPL-based testing/debugging possible
172	- Unblocks any tool that requires terminal inter

People who liked this also viewed

6 picks

Type

using-tmux-for-interactive-commands

401stars30forks

View on GitHub

How to install using-tmux-for-interactive-commands?

obra/superpowers-lab/using-tmux-for-interactive-commands

$npx -y skills add obra/superpowers-lab --skill using-tmux-for-interactive-commands

Installs into the current project.

Summary

Files · 1

View on GitHub

SKILL.md

1	# Using tmux for Interactive Commands
2
3	## Overview
4
5	Interactive CLI tools (vim, interactive git rebase, REPLs, etc.) cannot be controlled through standard bash because they require a real terminal. tmux provides detached sessions that can be controlled programmatically via `send-keys` and `capture-pane`.
6
7	## When to Use
8
9	Use tmux when:
10	- Running vim, nano, or other text editors programmatically
11	- Controlling interactive REPLs (Python, Node, etc.)
12	- Handling interactive git commands (`git rebase -i`, `git add -p`)
13	- Working with full-screen terminal apps (htop, etc.)
14	- Commands that require terminal control codes or readline
15
16	Don't use for:
17	- Simple non-interactive commands (use regular Bash tool)
18	- Commands that accept input via stdin redirection
19	- One-shot commands that don't need interaction
20
21	## Quick Reference
22
23	\| Task \| Command \|
24	\|------\|---------\|
25	\| Start session \| `tmux new-session -d -s <name> <command>` \|
26	\| Send input \| `tmux send-keys -t <name> 'text' Enter` \|
27	\| Capture output \| `tmux capture-pane -t <name> -p` \|
28	\| Stop session \| `tmux kill-session -t <name>` \|
29	\| List sessions \| `tmux list-sessions` \|
30
31	## Core Pattern
32
33	### Before (Won't Work)
34	```bash
35	# This hangs because vim expects interactive terminal
36	bash -c "vim file.txt"
37	```
38
39	### After (Works)
40	```bash
41	# Create detached tmux session
42	tmux new-session -d -s edit_session vim file.txt
43
44	# Send commands (Enter, Escape are tmux key names)
45	tmux send-keys -t edit_session 'i' 'Hello World' Escape ':wq' Enter
46
47	# Capture what's on screen
48	tmux capture-pane -t edit_session -p
49
50	# Clean up
51	tmux kill-session -t edit_session
52	```
53
54	## Implementation
55
56	### Basic Workflow
57
58	1. Create detached session with the interactive command
59	2. Wait briefly for initialization (100-500ms depending on command)
60	3. Send input using `send-keys` (can send special keys like Enter, Escape)
61	4. Capture output using `capture-pane -p` to see current screen state
62	5. Repeat steps 3-4 as needed
63	6. Terminate session when done
64
65	### Special Keys
66
67	Common tmux key names:
68	- `Enter` - Return/newline
69	- `Escape` - ESC key
70	- `C-c` - Ctrl+C
71	- `C-x` - Ctrl+X
72	- `Up`, `Down`, `Left`, `Right` - Arrow keys
73	- `Space` - Space bar
74	- `BSpace` - Backspace
75
76	### Working Directory
77
78	Specify working directory when creating session:
79	```bash
80	tmux new-session -d -s git_session -c /path/to/repo git rebase -i HEAD~3
81	```
82
83	### Helper Wrapper
84
85	For easier use, see `/home/jesse/git/interactive-command/tmux-wrapper.sh`:
86	```bash
87	# Start session
88	/path/to/tmux-wrapper.sh start <session-name> <command> [args...]
89
90	# Send input
91	/path/to/tmux-wrapper.sh send <session-name> 'text' Enter
92
93	# Capture current state
94	/path/to/tmux-wrapper.sh capture <session-name>
95
96	# Stop
97	/path/to/tmux-wrapper.sh stop <session-name>
98	```
99
100	## Common Patterns
101
102	### Python REPL
103	```bash
104	tmux new-session -d -s python python3 -i
105	tmux send-keys -t python 'import math' Enter
106	tmux send-keys -t python 'print(math.pi)' Enter
107	tmux capture-pane -t python -p # See output
108	tmux kill-session -t python
109	```
110
111	### Vim Editing
112	```bash
113	tmux new-session -d -s vim vim /tmp/file.txt
114	sleep 0.3 # Wait for vim to start
115	tmux send-keys -t vim 'i' 'New content' Escape ':wq' Enter
116	# File is now saved
117	```
118
119	### Interactive Git Rebase
120	```bash
121	tmux new-session -d -s rebase -c /repo/path git rebase -i HEAD~3
122	sleep 0.5
123	tmux capture-pane -t rebase -p # See rebase editor
124	# Send commands to modify rebase instructions
125	tmux send-keys -t rebase 'Down' 'Home' 'squash' Escape
126	tmux send-keys -t rebase ':wq' Enter
127	```
128
129	## Common Mistakes
130
131	### Not Waiting After Session Start
132	Problem: Capturing immediately after `new-session` shows blank screen
133
134	Fix: Add brief sleep (100-500ms) before first capture
135	```bash
136	tmux new-session -d -s sess command
137	sleep 0.3 # Let command initialize
138	tmux capture-pane -t sess -p
139	```
140
141	### Forgetting Enter Key
142	Problem: Commands typed but not executed
143
144	Fix: Explicitly send Enter
145	```bash
146	tmux send-keys -t sess 'print("hello")' Enter # Note: Enter is separate argument
147	```
148
149	### Using Wrong Key Names
150	Problem: `tmux send-keys -t sess '\n'` doesn't work
151
152	Fix: Use tmux key names: `Enter`, not `\n`
153	```bash
154	tmux send-keys -t sess 'text' Enter # ✓
155	tmux send-keys -t sess 'text\n' # ✗
156	```
157
158	### Not Cleaning Up Sessions
159	Problem: Orphaned tmux sessions accumulate
160
161	Fix: Always kill sessions when done
162	```bash
163	tmux kill-session -t session_name
164	# Or check for existing: tmux has-session -t name 2>/dev/null
165	```
166
167	## Real-World Impact
168
169	- Enables programmatic control of vim/nano for file editing
170	- Allows automation of interactive git workflows (rebase, add -p)
171	- Makes REPL-based testing/debugging possible
172	- Unblocks any tool that requires terminal inter

People who liked this also viewed

6 picks

Type