---
title: Make Helix clipboard-copy work when running in byobu
date: 2026-06-15 04:49:37.807375 UTC
---
Though I often use [Zellij] as terminal multiplexer when working on remote machine, sometimes I need to switch to [byobu] for its feature of keeping session alive when I disconnect SSH.

One inconvenience with byobu is that, when running Helix inside it, the "copy to clipboard" feature (press `Space` then `y`) stops working. Only recently did I learn that one of the backends that Helix uses for the clipboard feature is "tmux", the same software under byobu's hood. It means that, when running in _byobu_, Helix should still be able to do "copy to clipboard", it is just a configuration matter that byobu disable the feature.

Here is how to make the "copy" works again, open *~/.config/byobu/profile.tmux* file and add these lines:

```
set -g set-clipboard on
set-option -g allow-passthrough on
```

Save it. Quit *byobu* then run it again. Open Helix, the `Space` + `y` keys should work.


[Zellij]: https://zellij.dev/
[byobu]: https://byobu.org/