> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://help.freakhosting.com/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # How to Keep a Process Running After SSH Disconnects (tmux) > Keep a process running after SSH disconnects: start tmux new -s work, run your command, press Ctrl+b then d to detach, and reconnect later with tmux attach -t work. To keep a process running after SSH disconnects, start it inside tmux. Run `tmux new -s work`, start your command, then press **Ctrl+b** followed by **d** to detach. The command keeps running on the server after you log out. Reconnect later with `tmux attach -t work`. GNU screen works the same way with `screen -S work`, **Ctrl+a** then **d**, and `screen -r work`. | Difficulty | Time | Works on | Needs | | - | - | - | - | | Beginner | 5 minutes | Ubuntu, Debian, AlmaLinux, Rocky Linux and most other distributions | SSH access | ## Before you start * Normally, every program you start in an SSH session stops when the connection drops. tmux and screen are "terminal multiplexers": they keep a session alive on the server, independent of your connection. * Use them for long jobs (updates, large copies, compiling, a game server console) and to survive flaky Wi-Fi. * For services that must run permanently and restart after a reboot, use a [systemd service](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-create-a-systemd-service.md) instead. ## Should I use tmux or screen? Use **tmux** on new servers. It is in the main repositories of every distribution we cover. **screen** is older and still widespread; on AlmaLinux and Rocky Linux 9 and 10 it is only available from the EPEL repository. | | tmux | screen | | - | - | - | | Start a named session | `tmux new -s work` | `screen -S work` | | Detach | **Ctrl+b**, then **d** | **Ctrl+a**, then **d** | | List sessions | `tmux ls` | `screen -ls` | | Reattach | `tmux attach -t work` | `screen -r work` | | End a session | `exit` inside it, or `tmux kill-session -t work` | `exit` inside it, or `screen -S work -X quit` | ## How to install tmux > [tab] Ubuntu / Debian > > ```bash theme={null} > sudo apt update > sudo apt install tmux > ``` > [tab] AlmaLinux / Rocky > > ```bash theme={null} > sudo dnf install tmux > ``` It may already be installed: `tmux -V` prints the version if it is. ## How to keep a command running with tmux **1. Start a named session** ```bash theme={null} tmux new -s work ``` A green status bar appears at the bottom. You are now inside tmux. **2. Run your command** Start the long job as usual, for example: ```bash theme={null} rsync -avP /var/www/ /backup/www/ ``` **3. Detach** Press **Ctrl+b**, let go, then press **d**. You return to your normal shell and see `[detached (from session work)]`. You can now close SSH. **4. Reattach later** Log in again and run: ```bash theme={null} tmux attach -t work ``` You are back in the session, with the command still running and all its output. ## Useful tmux keys All shortcuts start with the prefix **Ctrl+b**. Press it, release, then press the next key. | Keys | What it does | | - | - | | **Ctrl+b** **d** | Detach from the session | | **Ctrl+b** **c** | New window | | **Ctrl+b** **n** / **p** | Next / previous window | | **Ctrl+b** **%** | Split the pane left and right | | **Ctrl+b** **"** | Split the pane top and bottom | | **Ctrl+b** **\[** | Scroll mode (use arrow keys, **q** to leave) | ## How to use screen instead > [tab] Ubuntu / Debian > > ```bash theme={null} > sudo apt install screen > ``` > [tab] AlmaLinux / Rocky > > ```bash theme={null} > sudo dnf install epel-release > sudo dnf install screen > ``` ```bash theme={null} screen -S work # start a named session # run your command, then press Ctrl+a followed by d to detach screen -ls # list sessions screen -r work # reattach ``` ## How to check it worked After detaching, list the sessions: ```bash theme={null} tmux ls ``` ```text theme={null} work: 1 windows (created Wed Nov 4 13:25:37 2026) ``` For screen: ```bash theme={null} screen -ls ``` ```text theme={null} There is a screen on: 22673.work (11/04/26 13:25:37) (Detached) 1 Socket in /run/screen/S-alex. ``` ## Frequently asked questions ### Does tmux survive a server reboot? No. A reboot ends every tmux and screen session and the programs in them. Use a [systemd service](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-create-a-systemd-service.md) for anything that must start on boot. ### What about nohup or the & sign? `nohup command &` keeps a single command running after logout and writes its output to `nohup.out`, but you can't get back to it interactively. tmux lets you reattach and type into it. ### I get "sessions should be nested with care". What does it mean? You ran `tmux` inside an existing tmux session. Detach first, or attach to the session you already have with `tmux attach`. ### Can two people share one tmux session? Yes, if they log in as the same user: both run `tmux attach -t work` and see the same screen. This is handy for supporting someone remotely. ## Related guides > [card] [VPS and dedicated server guides](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/vps-and-dedicated-server-guides.md) > > Every guide in this section. > [card] [SSH into a server](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-connect-to-a-linux-server-with-ssh.md) > > Connect before you start tmux. > [card] [Create a systemd service](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-create-a-systemd-service.md) > > Run programs permanently. > [card] [SSH config shortcuts](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/how-to-use-ssh-config-file-shortcuts.md) > > Keep idle SSH sessions alive. > [card] [Essential Linux commands](https://help.freakhosting.com/portals/other/essential-linux-commands-for-server-beginners.md) > > The basics for new admins. *** > [!NOTE] > > **Checked against the official [tmux manual](https://man.openbsd.org/tmux) and [GNU Screen manual](https://www.gnu.org/software/screen/manual/screen.html)** on 4 November 2026; sessions, detach keys and `ls` output were tested with tmux 3.4 and screen 4.09 on Ubuntu 24.04 LTS. EPEL package availability checked on [Fedora Packages](https://packages.fedoraproject.org/pkgs/screen/screen/). > [!NOTE] > > ### Need Extra Help? > > If you encounter any issues, our support team is ready to assist: > > * **Live Chat:** Quick assistance via our website. > * **Support Ticket:** [Open a Ticket](https://freakhosting.com/clientarea/submitticket.php) > * **Discord:** [Join our Community](https://discord.gg/freakhosting) > * **Email:** [support@freakhosting.com](mailto:support@freakhosting.com) > [!TIP] > > ### Save on Your Hosting > > Ready to upgrade your hosting? Use code **KB20** at checkout for **20% off** your first order! *** **Last Updated:** November 2026 This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.