Organize cmux windows, workspaces, and split panes so an agent can target the right terminal reliably. Create terminals with startup commands, move or reorder panels, change focus, and flash a panel to identify it.
End-user control of cmux topology and routing (windows, workspaces, panes/surfaces, focus, moves, reorder, identify, trigger flash). Use when automation needs deterministic placement and navigation in a multi-pane cmux layout.
Review the instructions the agent will receive before you install.
Non-browser cmux topology and routing.
cmux identify --json # current caller context
cmux list-windows / list-workspaces / list-panes
cmux list-pane-surfaces --pane pane:1
cmux new-workspace
cmux new-split right --surface surface:1
cmux new-split down --command "npm run dev" # new terminal runs the command in a live shell
cmux move-surface --surface surface:7 --pane pane:2 --focus true
cmux split-off --surface surface:7 right
cmux reorder-surface --surface surface:7 --before surface:3
# workspace context-menu actions (color, description, rename, pin, ...)
cmux workspace-action --action set-color --color Blue
cmux workspace-action --action set-description --description "Ship checklist"
# attention cue
cmux trigger-flash --surface surface:7
Output defaults to short refs (window:N, workspace:N, pane:N, surface:N). UUIDs are accepted as input; request UUID output only when needed with --id-format uuids|both.
new-workspace, new-split, new-pane, and new-surface accept --command <text>. cmux starts the terminal's normal interactive shell and delivers the text plus one Enter at spawn time, so the command runs immediately and the shell stays alive after it exits. No follow-up send or send-key enter is needed, and the text is passed literally (quoting, &&, pipes, and $VARS are interpreted by the new shell). The flag is terminal-only: it is rejected with --type browser|simulator|agent-session, blank text is ignored, and new-workspace --layout ignores it because layout surfaces define their own commands. Details: references/panes-surfaces.md.
cmux-owned settings live in ~/.config/cmux/cmux.json. cmux docs settings prints the docs URL, schema URL, raw GitHub resources, cmux.json paths, and reload command. cmux settings, cmux settings cmux-json, and cmux settings shortcuts open the UI.
cmux reload-config reloads both cmux.json and ~/.config/ghostty/config, refreshing terminals in place with no app restart.
Terminal rendering (font, cursor style, theme, scrollback, background-opacity, background-blur) belongs in Ghostty config, not cmux settings. Everything else (app behavior, sidebar, notifications, browser behavior, automation, workspace colors, cmux-owned shortcuts) is cmux settings. Before editing, copy any existing cmux.json to a timestamped .bak next to it. Legacy ~/.config/cmux/settings.json and ~/Library/Application Support/com.cmuxterm.app/settings.json are read only as fallback for missing keys.
For a completed download, the CLI can inspect the bounded history owned by the target browser surface without consuming a waiter:
cmux browser --surface <surface> download list
cmux browser --surface <surface> download list --limit 5 --json
Use the browser skill for the full response fields and wait/path compatibility details.
| Reference | When to Use |
|---|---|
| references/handles-and-identify.md | Handle syntax, self-identify, caller targeting |
| references/windows-workspaces.md | Window/workspace lifecycle, reorder/move, and context-menu actions (color, description, rename) |
| references/panes-surfaces.md | Splits, surfaces, move/reorder, focus routing |
| references/trigger-flash-and-health.md | Flash cue and surface health checks |
| ../cmux-workspace/SKILL.md | Current caller workspace rules and non-disruptive automation |
| ../cmux-settings/SKILL.md | Safe cmux.json settings edits and validation |
| ../cmux-browser/SKILL.md | Browser automation on surface-backed webviews |
| ../cmux-markdown/SKILL.md | Markdown viewer panel with live file watching |
| ../cmux-capture/SKILL.md | Screenshots and clips of a cmux window for evidence |
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Guide substantial Swift changes in cmux with rules for package boundaries, dependency direction, state management, concurrency, and API documentation. Structure code so public package types can be tested without launching the app.
Guide cmux backend changes with consistent rules for Effect, a TypeScript library for structured error handling. Covers Cloud VM state, database migrations, provider integrations, and authentication and payment checks so changes follow the intended architecture.
Maintain cmux billing code with guidance on Stripe checkout, pricing, subscriptions, and access rights. It maps the relevant services and provides workflows for testing purchases, handling payment events, and rolling out billing changes.
Automate browsing in cmux panels without taking focus away from current work. Target a specific panel to open pages, fill forms, click controls, wait for page changes, extract content, and inspect download history.
Capture cmux windows as screenshots or video clips from the CLI. Create visual evidence for pull requests and bug reports, with region selection and captions to explain drags, animations, or layout changes.
Run commands and coding agents on existing cmux Cloud machines, monitor work that continues after disconnection, and present results through workspaces or service URLs. The skill guides machine selection, background execution, and result verification.