If you spend a lot time with terminals you probably going to remember shortcut keys to get things done quickly. One the most important thing interacting with Linux is getting familiar with terminals and commands. So, for that you gonna need multiple terminals and to handle multiple terminals windows on the desktop you’ll end up with terrible chaos.
I’m going to share two methods to get multiple tabs and screens features in Kali Linux, Ubuntu or any other Linux distro. First let’s talk about Kali Linux.
The default terminal of Kali Linux, Gnome Terminal Emulator, allows you to organize your work-flow with the terminals by creating a tabbable control in which many terminals can be viewed in a single window.
How to get multiple tabs in Kali Linux?
Add New Tab
To add a new tab press:
Ctrl + Shift + T
Close tab
To close a tab, use the following combination once the desired tab is focused:
Ctrl + Shift + W
Switch tab
To focus another tab in the console, use the following combinations. To switch one tab forward:
Ctrl + Pg Up
To switch one tab backwards:
Ctrl + Pg Dn
Move tab position
With Gnome, you are able to change the position of the focused tab by using the following combinations. To move the tab one position up:
Ctrl + Shift + Pg Up
To move the tab one position down:
Ctrl + Shift + Pg Dn
How to get multiple screen sessions in Kali Linux using Tmux?
One of the best tool which i know so far is tmux. Which makes everything easier for us to operate.
If you don’t have tmux installed use this command: apt install tmux
Just type: tmux (When it loads you can see at the bottom: [1] 0:bash* which means tmux loaded and you have first window working with name bash. and * means your on that window.)
In tmux, hit the prefix ctrl+b
then
c create window w list windows n next window p previous window f find window , name window & kill window
ctrl + b + c (create new window)
As you can see we have now two windows, 0:bash- 1:bash* and we’re on 2nd windows because it’s *
ctrl + b + p (Navigate to previous window)
That shortcut took me back to first window which is 0:bash* and * means we’re on first window.
ctrl + b + n (Navigate to next window)
This shortcut took me to 2nd window which is 1:bash* and activated.
ctrl + b + , (rename windows)
I renamed my 2nd window to “Window2” so that will be easier for us to remember what we’re doing on that window.
Here take a look at both names now, “Window1” and “Window2”
Panes (splits)
% vertical split
" horizontal split
o swap panes
q show pane numbers
x kill pane
+ break pane into window (e.g. to select text by mouse to copy)
- restore pane from window
⍽ space - toggle between layouts
<prefix> q (Show pane numbers, when the numbers show up type the key to goto that pane)
<prefix> { (Move the current pane left)
<prefix> } (Move the current pane right)
<prefix> z toggle pane zoom
