tmux no server running on /private/tmp/tmux-502/default

Question

On macOS 10.12.1

tmux 2.3

When run:

tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf

Got error:

no server running on /private/tmp/tmux-502/default

Answer 1

I was getting the same error when running a script that automatically configures tmux workspaces and then attaches them.

However, when I ran the tmux command by itself, I got a more useful error. It told me that a few lines of my ~/.tmux.conf file were causing errors. They're out of date, I guess.

I commented out these lines and now everything works. Maybe that'll work for you, too?

Answer 2

You must not run

tmux source-file ~/.tmux.conf 

1. ~/.tmux.conf is launched automatically once on the tmux server start.

2. If you need use other alternative.conf file, you must use '-f' option: tmux -f alternative.conf

3. If you need run a source file, looked like the server must be started first, if it is not yet started: tmux start-server \; source-file source.tmux