How to Split Panes in iTerm2

Edited 1 week ago by ExtremeHow Editorial Team

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iTerm2 is a popular terminal emulator for macOS. It extends the functionality of the default Terminal application by providing additional features that improve productivity. One of the key features of iTerm2 is the ability to split the terminal window into multiple panes. This allows users to run multiple shell sessions in a single window and makes multitasking more efficient.

In this explainer, we'll explore how you can split panes in iTerm2. We'll discuss horizontal and vertical splitting, default keyboard shortcuts, and how to customize these settings to fit your workflow.

Understanding panes in iTerm2

Panes in iTerm2 allow you to have more than one shell open at a time in the same window. Each pane acts independently, meaning you can run different commands or programs in each without affecting the others. This is especially useful for developers and system administrators who need to monitor logs, edit files, and run scripts simultaneously.

Default keyboard shortcut for splitting panes

iTerm2 provides convenient keyboard shortcuts for splitting panes, making it easier to manage multiple terminal sessions. Below are the default shortcuts:

• To split horizontally: Press Command + D
• To split vertically: Press Command + Shift + D

Using these shortcuts will immediately split the current pane in the specified direction, creating a new pane with a new shell session.

Splitting panes horizontally

Horizontal splitting splits the Terminal window into two side-by-side panes. This can be useful when you have more horizontal space available and want to take advantage of it by running two separate sessions side by side.

Guidelines for horizontal partitioning

To initiate a horizontal split in iTerm2, simply press Command + D This creates a new pane to the right of your currently active pane. By default, both panes will be the same width, but you can resize them if necessary. To adjust the width, you can click and drag the divider between the panes.

Example of horizontal partitioning

Let's say you are working on a Python script and you also need to monitor the system logs. You can use horizontal splitting to open your script in one pane and the log file in another pane. Run your Python script in the left pane:

python your_script.py

Then, open the log file in the right pane:

tail -f /var/log/system.log

Now, you can inspect any output generated by your script, as well as monitor the system logs for errors or specific entries.

Splitting panes vertically

Vertical splitting divides the terminal into panes stacked on top of each other. This splitting is suitable for workflows where vertical space is less limited.

Guidelines for vertical splitting

To perform a vertical split, press Command + Shift + D This will create a new pane below the currently active one. Similar to the horizontal split, the panes will be the same height by default, but you can resize them depending on what you're doing. Simply click and drag the horizontal divider to adjust the size of the pane.

Example of vertical partitioning

Imagine you are working in a team and you need to edit a file while constantly communicating with another team member via SSH. You can do this by placing your file editor in the top pane:

vi project_notes.txt

And maintaining an active SSH session on your colleague's machine in the bottom pane:

ssh user@colleague_machine

This setup allows for seamless editing and communication without switching between windows.

Customizing shortcuts and settings

iTerm2 allows a high level of customization, including the ability to change default keyboard shortcuts. To customize your iTerm2 experience, follow these steps:

Accessing preferences

Start by opening iTerm2 and going to Preferences. You can do this by clicking the iTerm2 menu in the top left corner of your screen and selecting Preferences, or by pressing Command + ,.

Modify keyboard shortcuts

In Preferences, select the Keys tab. Here, you can view all existing key mappings and add your own customized shortcuts. To change the shortcut for splitting panes:

• Click the plus button to add a new key mapping.
• In the Shortcut field, press the key combination you want to specify.
• To split horizontally, set the action to Split pane horizontally with the current profile.
• For vertical splitting, set the action to Split pane vertically with the current profile.

These custom shortcuts will now be available for simple splitting in iTerm2.

Adjusting pane behavior and appearance

In addition to keyboard shortcuts, you can also modify the behavior and appearance of panes in iTerm2. Here are some configurations you may find useful:

Synchronize input

There may be times when you want to issue the same command to multiple panes simultaneously. In such cases, you can use the Synchronize Input feature by selecting Session > Synchronize Input from the top menu. When this setting is enabled, commands typed in one pane are replicated to all open panes.

Broadcast input to all panes

Similar to synchronized input, you may want to broadcast specific commands without requiring synchronization. Use this feature with the Session > Broadcast Input option from the menu.

Pane title and status bar

Tab and pen management in iTerm2 is made easy with customizable pen titles and status bars. You can customize the title of each pane by using the Session > Set Title option and then typing the desired title. This is especially helpful when you have multiple commands running and need to quickly identify the purpose of each pane.

Advanced panel management

iTerm2 supports more advanced pen management technologies that can make your setup even better. Here are some of these:

Pasting with automatic tab/split creation

If you have a list of tasks to run that you might normally paste into a pane, iTerm2 offers a feature to automatically split panes or open new tabs based on the pasted content. This is a more advanced setting for users who need to manage complex workflows efficiently.

Using the tmux integration

iTerm2 integrates seamlessly with tmux, a terminal multiplexer that allows advanced session management beyond simply splitting panes. By running tmux within iTerm2, you can preserve session state, manage remote workflows, and more. This integration relies on iTerm2's default shortcuts but provides additional flexibility in remote environments.

Conclusion

Splitting panes in iTerm2 provides an effective way to manage multiple shell sessions in a streamlined and organized way. Whether you're monitoring logs, managing files, or communicating over SSH, splitting panes boosts productivity by reducing the clutter of multiple windows. Using default shortcuts, customizing settings, and integrating advanced tools like tmux are just a few ways to fully leverage iTerm2's potential. With this knowledge, you can efficiently handle complex workflows from a single terminal window.

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