---
title: tmux / zellij integration
description: `gwm tmux` / `gwm zellij` to open a worktree in a new window, pane, or tab.
---
# tmux / zellij integration
Inside an already-running multiplexer session, `gwm tmux` and `gwm zellij` spawn a new window / pane / tab whose shell starts inside the matched worktree — no manual `cd` round-trip needed.
## tmux
```bash
gwm tmux auth # new tmux window inside the matched worktree
gwm tmux auth -p # split the current pane instead
gwm tmux auth --split # ...long form of -p
```
Under the hood:
- **new window** (default): `tmux new-window -n <name> -c <path>`
- **split** (`-p` / `--split`): `tmux split-window -c <path>` (current window's layout, current pane's direction)
The `-n <name>` arg names the new window after the worktree slug so it stands out in the status bar.
## zellij
```bash
gwm zellij auth # new zellij tab inside the matched worktree
gwm zellij auth -p # new pane in the current tab instead
```
Under the hood:
- **new tab** (default): `zellij action new-tab --name <name> --cwd <path>`
- **new pane** (`-p` / `--split`): `zellij action new-pane --cwd <path>`
The `--cwd` flag on `new-tab` requires **zellij ≥ 0.40**; older versions error out. `new-pane --cwd` has been stable longer — use `-p` if you're stuck on an older zellij.
## required session
Both commands require the corresponding multiplexer to actually be running:
- `gwm tmux` checks for `$TMUX` in the environment.
- `gwm zellij` checks for `$ZELLIJ`.
Outside a session, the command **refuses** with a clear error rather than spawning a stray server — the alternative (spawning detached) leads to orphaned sessions that the user never sees.
```bash
$ gwm tmux auth
gwm tmux requires an active tmux session ($TMUX is not set).
```
## fuzzy matching
The `<pattern>` arg uses the same fuzzy matcher as `gwm path / remove / bootstrap` ([nucleo-matcher](https://docs.rs/nucleo-matcher)). Ambiguous matches exit `1` and print both candidates without spawning anything.
## see also
- [TUI → Fuzzy filter](/tui/filter) — the matcher's case-sensitivity and scoring rules
- [CLI → Subcommand reference](/cli/reference#gwm-tmux-pattern--p--split) — flags and exit codes