using-tmux-for-interactive-commands

SKILL.md

Using tmux for Interactive Commands

Overview

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.

When to Use

Use tmux when:

Running vim, nano, or other text editors programmatically

Controlling interactive REPLs (Python, Node, etc.)

Handling interactive git commands (git rebase -i, git add -p)

Working with full-screen terminal apps (htop, etc.)

Commands that require terminal control codes or readline

Don't use for:

Simple non-interactive commands (use regular Bash tool)

Commands that accept input via stdin redirection

One-shot commands that don't need interaction