Linux Tip: Open Multiple Shell Sessions In Terminal Window Using Tabs

When it comes to Linux, there is no shortage of ways to execute commands. You can use the run command, open multiple console sessions, remote SSH connections, run programs in the background or use multiple desktops. While this flexibility is great in many ways, it can get out of control and become confusing if you become involved in your work and have to think where you ran the first command.

Instead of spreading things out, you can open multiple shell sessions in one Terminal window by using tabs to help keep your Linux work environment under control.

To use tabs in a Terminal Window is pretty simple. In Ubuntu, to open a Terminal Window in Kubuntu, click on

K Menu \ Utilities \ Terminal

Or, in Gnome, click on

Application \ Accessories \ Terminal from the panel.

To open a tab, you can use the shortcut key Shift+Ctrl+T or click on File \ Open Tab from the menu:

Once you have opened a Shell in a second tab, the tab bar will appear:

As you continue to add more tabs to the Terminal session, you can managed tabs by using the Tabs menu:

or with the following shortcuts:

• Open New Tab - Shift+Ctrl t
• Close Tab - Shift+Ctrl+w
• Switch To Previous Tab - Ctrl+Page Up
• Switch To Next Tab - Ctrl+Page Down
  
• Move Tab To Left - Shift+Ctrl+Page Up
• Move Tab To Right - Shift+Ctrl+Page Down
• Switch To Tab 1 - Alt 1 
• and to switch if you have multiple tabs open, Alt 2, Alt 3 to Alt 9

Unfortunantly, no context menu exist when right clicking on a tab.

A nice feature with using tabs is the capability to detach any tab, which will separate it from the current Terminal window and open the tab in it's own Terminal window. To detach tabs, click on the tab and select Tabs \ Detach from the menu.

Using tabs is much easier to manage your work and helps keeps your command line activity in one place. No more wondering where that first command was executed!

For more great tips, check out our Linux and Ubuntu Tips and tutorials.