Using tmux for Interactive Commands

Overview

Interactive CLI tools (vim, interactive git rebase, REPLs, etc.) cannot be controlled through standard bash because they require a real terminal. tmux provides detached sessions that can be controlled programmatically via send-keys and capture-pane.

When to Use

Use tmux when:

• Running vim, nano, or other text editors programmatically
• Controlling interactive REPLs (Python, Node, etc.)
• Handling interactive git commands (git rebase -i, git add -p)
• Working with full-screen terminal apps (htop, etc.)
• Commands that require terminal control codes or readline

Don't use for:

• Simple non-interactive commands (use regular Bash tool)
• Commands that accept input via stdin redirection
• One-shot commands that don't need interaction