I've been using Claude Code for months, but pairing it with tmux changed everything. No more sitting around waiting for AI responses or single-threaded development.
If you get restless waiting for builds or tests, this is for you.
My Actual Workflow
# I start my terminal in tmux by default
# When I want a new Claude thread, I just hit:
Ctrl+s c # Creates new tmux window with fresh Claude session
# Quick tmux setup - add to ~/.tmux.conf:
set-option -g prefix C-s
unbind-key C-b
bind-key C-s send-prefix
Terminal multiplexers TLDR: Browser tabs for your terminal. Multiple sessions, instant switching, everything persists.
The Magic: Async Development
I tell Claude: "Run pytest, debug any failures, keep running until everything passes, then open the test output."
Claude enters a debugging loop while I work on something else. I come back to working code.
Even better: "Set up a watch command that auto-fixes failing tests when I save files."
Self-healing development environment. I write messy code, Claude fixes it in the background.
Multiple Sessions = Parallel Work
- Window 1: Claude implementing features
- Window 2: Different Claude writing tests
- Window 3: Another Claude updating docs
- Window 4: Me testing manually
Each Claude session has separate context. Like having a development team where everyone stays focused.
The xdg-open Power Move
I literally just use the command as a verb when talking to Claude. "Hey dude, xdg-open this for me" and it runs xdg-open report.html automatically. Claude completes tasks AND shows you results.
"But Justin you just assumed I was a Linux user?!" Yes. But you usually just tell Claude which command to use:
- Linux:
xdg-open file.html - macOS:
open file.html - Windows:
start file.html
Even better - Claude can copy commands to your clipboard for instant pasting:
"Generate a curl command to test the API and copy it to my clipboard"
# Claude outputs: echo "curl -X POST localhost:3000/api/users" | pbcopy
# Now I just paste and run
This is why getting good at the command line pays off. The better you know terminal tools, the more you can leverage command-line LLMs. Claude becomes an extension of your shell skills, not a replacement for them.
Why This Works
No waiting: Perfect for ADHD brains that need constant stimulation.
Scales up: Complex projects benefit most from parallel development.
Survives interruptions: Sessions persist through meetings, breaks, restarts.
Git Worktrees vs Tmux
Claude Code's git worktrees feature handles multiple branches in separate directories. Tmux handles multiple contexts within the same codebase.
Combine them: worktrees for branch isolation, tmux for async workflows within each branch.
Try It
Set up tmux with Claude in one window, dev server in another. Ask Claude to run something that opens a file when done.
You'll never go back to single-threaded development.
Photo by Scott Rodgerson on Unsplash
Content on this blog was created using human and AI-assisted workflows described here. Original ideas and editorial decisions by Justin Quaintance.