Pros of .tmux

• More comprehensive configuration with advanced features
• Includes sensible defaults and key bindings out of the box
• Active development and community support

Cons of .tmux

• Steeper learning curve due to more complex setup
• May override existing user configurations

Code Comparison

tmux-themepack:

set -g status-left "#[fg=colour232,bg=colour39,bold] #S #[fg=colour39,bg=colour240,nobold]#[fg=colour233,bg=colour240] #(whoami) #[fg=colour240,bg=colour235]#[fg=colour240,bg=colour235] #I:#P #[fg=colour235,bg=colour233,nobold]"

.tmux:

set -g status-left-length 32
set -g status-left "#{?client_prefix,#[fg=$thm_red],#[fg=$thm_green]}#[bg=$thm_gray,bold] #S #{?client_prefix,#[fg=$thm_red],#[fg=$thm_green]}#[bg=$thm_gray]#{?window_zoomed_flag, 🔍,}"

Summary

tmux-themepack focuses primarily on providing a variety of themes for tmux, offering a simple way to customize the appearance of your tmux sessions. It's easy to install and use, making it ideal for users who want quick visual customization.

.tmux, on the other hand, is a more comprehensive tmux configuration framework. It includes a wide range of features, key bindings, and sensible defaults, aiming to enhance the overall tmux experience. While it requires more setup and learning, it offers greater flexibility and functionality for power users.

Pros of tpm

• Provides a plugin management system for tmux, allowing easy installation and updating of multiple plugins
• Supports a wide range of plugins, not limited to themes
• Offers automatic plugin installation on tmux startup

Cons of tpm

• Requires more setup and configuration compared to a simple theme pack
• May introduce complexity for users who only want to manage themes

Code Comparison

tmux-themepack:

source-file "${HOME}/.tmux-themepack/powerline/default/green.tmuxtheme"

tpm:

set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tpm'
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-sensible'
set -g @plugin 'jimeh/tmux-themepack'
run '~/.tmux/plugins/tpm/tpm'

Summary

tmux-themepack is a collection of themes for tmux, offering a straightforward way to customize the appearance of tmux. It's simple to use and doesn't require additional plugin management.

tpm, on the other hand, is a plugin manager for tmux. It provides a more comprehensive solution for managing various tmux plugins, including themes. While it requires more setup, it offers greater flexibility and easier management of multiple plugins.

The choice between the two depends on the user's needs. For those who only want to change themes, tmux-themepack might be sufficient. For users looking to manage multiple plugins and extend tmux functionality, tpm would be the better choice.

Pros of awesome-tmux

• Comprehensive resource collection for tmux, including plugins, themes, and tutorials
• Regularly updated with community contributions
• Covers a wide range of tmux-related topics beyond just themes

Cons of awesome-tmux

• Not a direct theme pack, requires more effort to implement specific themes
• May be overwhelming for users looking for a simple theme solution
• Lacks standardized theme installation process

Code comparison

awesome-tmux (example plugin installation):

set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tpm'
set -g @plugin 'tmux-plugins/tmux-sensible'
run '~/.tmux/plugins/tpm/tpm'

tmux-themepack (theme application):

source-file "${HOME}/.tmux-themepack/powerline/default/green.tmuxtheme"

Summary

awesome-tmux is a curated list of tmux resources, offering a wealth of information and options for tmux users. It's ideal for those who want to explore various tmux enhancements and customizations. However, it requires more effort to implement specific themes compared to tmux-themepack.

tmux-themepack, on the other hand, is a dedicated collection of themes that can be easily applied to tmux. It's more straightforward for users who primarily want to change their tmux appearance without diving into other customizations.

The choice between the two depends on whether you're looking for a comprehensive tmux resource (awesome-tmux) or a simple theme solution (tmux-themepack).

Pros of tmux-config

• More comprehensive configuration, including key bindings and plugins
• Includes additional features like mouse support and window renaming
• Provides a complete tmux setup out of the box

Cons of tmux-config

• Less focused on theming compared to tmux-themepack
• May require more customization to fit individual preferences
• Potentially more complex for users who only want theme options

Code Comparison

tmux-config:

# Enable mouse support
set -g mouse on

# Rename windows automatically
set-option -g allow-rename off

# Use vim keybindings in copy mode
setw -g mode-keys vi

tmux-themepack:

# Basic theme configuration
set -g @themepack 'basic'

# Apply powerline theme
set -g @themepack 'powerline/block/blue'

tmux-themepack focuses primarily on providing various theme options, while tmux-config offers a more comprehensive tmux configuration with additional features and customizations. tmux-config may be better suited for users looking for a complete tmux setup, while tmux-themepack is ideal for those specifically interested in theming options.

Pros of tmux-sensible

• Focuses on sensible default settings for tmux, improving usability out of the box
• Includes optimizations for terminal behavior and key bindings
• Lightweight and doesn't interfere with existing user configurations

Cons of tmux-sensible

• Lacks theming capabilities, as it's not designed for visual customization
• May not provide enough customization options for advanced users
• Doesn't include pre-configured color schemes or status bar layouts

Code Comparison

tmux-sensible:

set -g default-terminal "screen-256color"
set -g history-limit 50000
set -g display-time 4000
set -g status-interval 5
set -g focus-events on

tmux-themepack:

set -g status-left-length 32
set -g status-right-length 150
set -g status-style fg=white,bg=colour234
set -g window-status-activity-style bold
set -g pane-border-style fg=colour245

The code snippets highlight the different focus areas of each project. tmux-sensible concentrates on practical settings to enhance tmux functionality, while tmux-themepack provides theme-specific configurations for visual customization.