tmux-attach

A CLI tool that helps you quickly choose and enter tmux sessions.

Features

• Smart mode detection: No sessions? Launches tmux directly. Sessions exist? Shows a clean picker.
• Fast session creation: "New session" is always first, with the name prefilled from your current directory.
• Clean TUI: Centered, spacious fullscreen picker with a custom ASCII title optimized for quick decisions.
• Accurate environment detection: Blocks execution in an active tmux client, but allows terminals that only inherit tmux-related environment variables.

Installation

npm install -g tmux-attach

This installs both tmux-attach and the shorter ta alias.

Or try it once with npx:

npx tmux-attach

Usage

Just run:

tmux-attach

Run it from a regular shell or a tmux-backed terminal that is not exposing an active tmux client. If you are already inside an interactive tmux session, tmux-attach exits immediately.

Or use the short alias:

ta

Keyboard Navigation

• ↑/↓ or j/k - Navigate between options
• Enter - Select highlighted option
• Esc or q - Exit without attaching

Creating a New Session

1. Select "New session" (it's always first)
2. Edit the prefilled name (defaults to current directory name)
3. Press Enter to create

Requirements

• Node.js 20+
• tmux installed
• ANSI-compatible terminal

License

MIT