Tmux MCP Server

Overview

The Tmux MCP Server bridges the gap between conversational AI assistants and terminal-based workflows by exposing TMUX as a first‑class resource through the Model Context Protocol. For developers building AI agents that need to interact with shell environments—whether for automation, debugging, or continuous integration—the server provides a secure, auditable channel to launch, control, and monitor TMUX sessions directly from the assistant. This eliminates the need for manual terminal handling or custom scripts, allowing agents to focus on higher‑level tasks while still maintaining full control over the underlying shell.

At its core, the server creates a default TMUX session named agent-terminal, which can be overridden by instructing the AI to target a different session. Within this session, agents can spawn multiple windows and panes, run commands in parallel, and capture output streams. The ability to record session activity ensures that every command executed by the AI is logged, providing a transparent audit trail for compliance and debugging. Background operation means agents can leave long‑running tasks unattended, resuming interaction at a later time without losing context.

Key capabilities include:

• Session Management: Create, attach, detach, and kill TMUX sessions on demand.
• Window & Pane Control: Open new windows or split panes, navigate between them, and execute commands in isolated contexts.
• Output Capture: Retrieve command results, error messages, and scrollback history for analysis or further processing.
• Recording & Replay: Persist session logs that can be replayed or reviewed, facilitating reproducibility and accountability.

These features make the server ideal for scenarios such as automated code compilation pipelines, remote debugging sessions, or continuous security scans where an AI must interact with multiple terminal processes simultaneously. By integrating directly into the MCP workflow, developers can issue simple prompts like “run in a new pane” and receive structured feedback, all while the underlying terminal state remains consistent across sessions.

What sets this MCP server apart is its emphasis on auditability combined with TMUX’s robust session management. Unlike generic shell adapters, it preserves the full multi‑pane experience of TMUX, enabling complex workflows that mirror real developer environments. For teams building AI assistants that need to perform sophisticated terminal operations, the Tmux MCP Server offers a seamless, secure, and fully documented bridge between conversational AI and the command line.