Binding a command in tmux without using the prefix key

Question

Is it possible to bind a tmux command to a key combination and use it directly without first pressing the prefix?

I find C-b + n too cumbersome to switch panes, so I was wondering whether I could bind C-1 for example, to switch to pane #1.

Or perhaps there may be a way to make the shortcut in the terminal emulator to send C-b + 1 when I press C-1?

Thanks!

Solution

For your example, use:

bind-key -n C-1 select-pane -t 1

The -n argument is used to bind-key, it means no prefix.

Comments

[Ivan]

Thanks! That almost gets it done, except it doesn't recognize numbers, it says unknown key: C-1. If I use a letter it works. Do you know how I can specify a number key?

[Chris Johnsen]

@Ivan: The usual codes for Control keystrokes come from ASCII. ASCII does not define codes for C-1..C-9. The standard ASCII control characters are C-@, C-a..C-z, C-[, C-\, C-], C-^, C-_, and C-?. Most terminals just do not support distinct codes for most modified keystrokes (though many support some modifiers for arrow keys and functions keys). You are probably better off using F1 in place of C-1 (also note that the pane numbers start at 0, not 1: bind F1 to selecting pane 0, F2 to 1, etc.).

[Admin]

I updated the answer to clarify that -n is an alias for -T root and explained a bit about it and sourced the docs.