How to quickly select and copy any text with TMUX — no plugin required

Introduction

Older versions in TMUX required using both tmux-copycat and tmux-yank plugins.

There is an simpler solution as from TMUX 3.1 native regex search is included natively. Also from 1.5 yank works out of the box.

Although I still use tmux-yank and tmux-copycat, I believe nowadays there’s no need to have them installed unless you need specific features included in those two plugins.

How To

Use the q to exit the copy mode

Search

To search for words the combination you need to use is a bit tricky to learn, but once you have mastered it, you will find it works well.

To enable copy mode first add the following to your tmux configuration file.

setw -g mode-keys vi

1. Enter Copy Mode by hitting Prefix + [
2. Enable search hitting / then type the text you would like to search
3. Hit Enter
4. Press n (from next) to navigate to the next selection

Select

1. Enter Copy Mode by Prefix + [
2. Hit space
3. Use the arrows or vim keys (h,j,k,l) if enabled to select
4. Hit Enter or q to exit

Yank/Copy

Do either of previous steps and then

1. Hit y
2. After hitting y you will enter to normal mode and the text will be on your clipboard.
3. Try to paste it by using Ctrl + v or Command + v.