Installing Tmux Ncurse.h Not Found

6 min read Sep 30, 2024

Installing tmux: "ncurse.h not found" - A Common Problem and Its Solution

When you try to install tmux, you might encounter the dreaded "ncurse.h not found" error. This error usually pops up during the compilation stage, indicating a missing dependency – the ncurses library. Tmux, a powerful terminal multiplexer, relies on ncurses for its interactive capabilities, including displaying text-based interfaces and managing keybindings.

What is ncurses?

ncurses, short for "new curses," is a library that provides a way to create text-based user interfaces (TUI) on Unix-like systems. It's the foundation for many command-line tools, including tmux, allowing them to create interactive and dynamic user experiences within the terminal.

Why Is "ncurse.h not found" Happening?

The "ncurse.h not found" error arises because the compiler cannot locate the header file necessary for using the ncurses library. This usually happens due to one of these reasons:

Ncurses is not installed: The most common culprit is that the ncurses library itself hasn't been installed on your system.
Incorrect installation path: Even if ncurses is installed, the compiler might be searching for it in the wrong directory.
Outdated development tools: Old or incompatible compiler versions might not be able to correctly find the ncurses headers.

Troubleshooting and Solutions

Here's a step-by-step guide to fix the "ncurse.h not found" error and install tmux successfully:

1. Install ncurses:

Using apt (Debian/Ubuntu):

sudo apt update
sudo apt install libncurses5-dev

Using yum (CentOS/RHEL):
```
sudo yum install ncurses-devel
```
Using dnf (Fedora):
```
sudo dnf install ncurses-devel
```
Other package managers: Use the appropriate package manager command for your distribution to install the ncurses development package.

2. Check Installation Path:

If you're using a custom installation location for ncurses: Make sure your compiler knows where to find it. You can either set the C_INCLUDE_PATH environment variable or configure your compiler to use the correct path.

Example of setting C_INCLUDE_PATH:

export C_INCLUDE_PATH=$C_INCLUDE_PATH:/path/to/ncurses/include

3. Update Development Tools:

If you're using an older version of GCC (GNU Compiler Collection): Consider updating it to the latest version. Newer compilers are generally better at detecting and handling dependencies.

4. Recompile tmux:

After installing ncurses or updating development tools: Recompile tmux to ensure the compiler can find the necessary headers.
Example of recompiling tmux from source:
```
./configure
make
sudo make install
```

5. Additional Tips:

Check for typos: Make sure you're spelling "ncurse.h" correctly in your code.
Use a package manager: Installing tmux using your distribution's package manager (like apt, yum, or dnf) is often the easiest and safest approach.

Example: Installing tmux on Ubuntu

Here's a complete example demonstrating how to install tmux on Ubuntu, addressing the "ncurse.h not found" error:

# Update package lists
sudo apt update

# Install ncurses development package
sudo apt install libncurses5-dev

# Download tmux source code
wget https://github.com/tmux/tmux/releases/download/3.3a/tmux-3.3a.tar.gz

# Extract the archive
tar -xzvf tmux-3.3a.tar.gz

# Navigate to the extracted directory
cd tmux-3.3a

# Configure and compile tmux
./configure
make
sudo make install

# Verify installation
tmux -V

Conclusion

The "ncurse.h not found" error when installing tmux is often a simple matter of missing dependencies. By following the troubleshooting steps outlined above, you can easily resolve the issue and enjoy the power of tmux.

Installing Tmux Ncurse.h Not Found