Why does starting `tmux` on sway launch over `swaymsg` does make tmux inaccessible?

Have you ever encountered a situation where starting tmux on sway launches over swaymsg and makes tmux inaccessible? Don't worry, you're not alone. This issue can be quite frustrating, especially for entry-level users. In this article, we will explore why this happens and how you can resolve it.

First, let's understand what tmux and sway are. tmux is a terminal multiplexer that allows you to run multiple terminal sessions within a single window. It is a powerful tool for managing and organizing your workflow. On the other hand, sway is a tiling window manager for Wayland, a modern display server protocol.

When you start tmux on sway, it launches over swaymsg by default. swaymsg is a command-line tool for sending messages to sway and controlling its behavior. However, this default behavior can sometimes cause issues, making tmux inaccessible. Let's explore why this happens and how you can resolve it.

Understanding the Issue

The issue occurs because both tmux and swaymsg use the same keybindings. Keybindings are keyboard shortcuts that allow you to perform specific actions. When both applications have conflicting keybindings, it creates a conflict, and tmux becomes inaccessible.

For example, let's say the keybinding for creating a new window in tmux is Ctrl-b c, and the keybinding for creating a new window in swaymsg is also Ctrl-b c. When you press Ctrl-b c, both applications receive the command simultaneously, causing a conflict.

Resolving the Issue

To resolve this issue, you need to change the keybindings either in tmux or in swaymsg. Let's look at two possible solutions:

1. Changing Keybindings in tmux

If you primarily use tmux and rarely use swaymsg, it might be more convenient to change the keybindings in tmux. Here's how you can do it:

1. Open your terminal.
2. Start tmux by running the command tmux.
3. Press Ctrl-b : to enter the command mode.
4. Type unbind-key c and press Enter. This will unbind the Ctrl-b c keybinding.
5. Now you can create a new window in tmux using a different keybinding, such as Ctrl-b n.

By changing the keybinding in tmux, you avoid conflicts with swaymsg, and tmux becomes accessible again.

2. Changing Keybindings in swaymsg

If you primarily use swaymsg and rarely use tmux, it might be more convenient to change the keybindings in swaymsg. Here's how you can do it:

1. Open your terminal.
2. Start swaymsg by running the command swaymsg.
3. Press Ctrl-b : to enter the command mode.
4. Type unbind c and press Enter. This will unbind the Ctrl-b c keybinding.
5. Now you can create a new window in swaymsg using a different keybinding, such as Ctrl-b n.

By changing the keybinding in swaymsg, you avoid conflicts with tmux, and both applications can be used without any issues.

Starting tmux on sway over swaymsg can sometimes make tmux inaccessible due to conflicting keybindings. However, by changing the keybindings in either tmux or swaymsg, you can easily resolve this issue. Choose the solution that suits your usage pattern and enjoy using both applications seamlessly.

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