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Windows Terminal - Sneakyone - 09-04-2024

Guide to Windows Terminal

**Windows Terminal** is a modern, open-source terminal application for Windows, designed to be a central hub for various command-line tools such as PowerShell, Command Prompt, and WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux). This guide will walk you through the installation, configuration, and key features of Windows Terminal.


1. Installation Process

Follow these steps to install Windows Terminal on your device:

  1. Download from the Microsoft Store: Visit the Microsoft Store page for Windows Terminal and click ‘Get’ to download and install it.
  2. Install via GitHub (optional): Alternatively, you can download the latest release from the Windows Terminal GitHub page and install it manually.
  3. Launch Windows Terminal: Once installed, you can start Windows Terminal by searching for it in the Start menu or by right-clicking the Start button and selecting ‘Windows Terminal.’


2. First-Time Setup and Customization

After installing Windows Terminal, follow these steps to configure it for optimal use:

  1. Set default shell: By default, Windows Terminal opens with PowerShell. To change this, click the dropdown arrow next to the ‘+’ tab button and go to ‘Settings.’ Under ‘Startup,’ you can set your default profile (e.g., Command Prompt, PowerShell, WSL).
  2. Create a new profile: To create a profile for another command-line tool, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Add a New Profile.’ You can specify the shell, icon, and starting directory for this profile.
  3. Customize appearance: In the ‘Appearance’ section of the settings, you can customize themes, colors, fonts, and background images for each profile. Experiment with Dark and Light themes or create a custom theme.
  4. Set tab behavior: Under ‘Interaction,’ you can configure how tabs behave, including settings for splitting panes, closing tabs with a key combination, and switching between tabs.


3. Key Features and How to Use Them

Windows Terminal offers many powerful features that enhance the command-line experience. Here’s how to use some of its key features:
  • Tabbed interface: Windows Terminal supports multiple tabs, allowing you to run various shells (e.g., PowerShell, Command Prompt, WSL) simultaneously. Click the ‘+’ button to open a new tab, or use the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + T to open a new tab of the current shell.
  • Split panes: You can split the terminal into multiple panes to run commands side by side. To split the window, press Alt + Shift + D. You can also split horizontally or vertically based on your preferences.
  • Custom key bindings: In the ‘Actions’ tab of the settings, you can configure custom key bindings to perform actions like opening a new tab, closing a pane, or copying and pasting. Use JSON syntax to add new key bindings in the ‘Settings’ > ‘Actions’ menu.
  • Change themes and colors: You can apply a variety of color schemes by going to ‘Settings’ > ‘Appearance’ > ‘Color Schemes.’ Select from predefined themes like ‘Tango Dark,’ ‘Solarized Light,’ or create your own custom scheme.
  • Font customization: Windows Terminal allows you to choose from a wide range of fonts. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Appearance’ > ‘Font Face,’ and choose from system fonts or install third-party fonts like ‘Fira Code’ or ‘Cascadia Code.’
  • Background images and transparency: To personalize your terminal, go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Appearance’ > ‘Background Image,’ where you can set an image or color gradient as the background. You can also adjust the transparency level of the terminal window for better focus.
  • Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL): Windows Terminal fully supports WSL. To run a Linux shell, ensure WSL is installed and then open a new tab, select ‘Ubuntu’ or your chosen Linux distribution from the dropdown menu.
  • Command palette: The command palette (activated by pressing Ctrl + Shift + P) allows you to search for commands and quickly access features like switching profiles, opening new tabs, or splitting panes.


4. Customizing Advanced Settings

Windows Terminal offers a wide range of advanced customization options. Here’s how to tweak its settings further:

  1. Edit JSON settings file: For more granular control over settings, click ‘Open JSON file’ in the settings menu. This allows you to manually configure profiles, key bindings, and appearance options in JSON format.
  2. Set different startup actions: You can specify startup behavior such as which profile to open or how many tabs or panes to launch. In the ‘Settings’ > ‘Startup’ tab, configure these options to suit your workflow.
  3. PowerShell customization: You can configure PowerShell with custom themes, prompt strings, and scripts. Use PowerShell’s ‘profile.ps1’ file to apply persistent changes to your prompt and other settings.
  4. Use Git Bash or other shells: If you use Git Bash, Cygwin, or another shell, you can integrate these into Windows Terminal by creating a new profile and pointing the command-line path to their respective executables.


5. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are some common issues you may encounter with Windows Terminal and how to resolve them:
  • Terminal not opening or crashing: Ensure you have the latest version of Windows Terminal installed. If the problem persists, reset the app through Settings > Apps > Windows Terminal > Advanced Options > Reset.
  • WSL not showing in profiles: If WSL doesn’t appear in the profile dropdown, ensure WSL is properly installed. Run wsl --list in PowerShell to verify your Linux distributions. You may need to update WSL via Microsoft Store.
  • Key bindings not working: If custom key bindings are not functioning, check your JSON settings file for syntax errors. Ensure the correct actions are mapped to valid key combinations.
  • Performance issues: If Windows Terminal feels slow or lags, disable background images or transparency effects under ‘Appearance.’ Also, ensure you’re running the latest version of Windows and Terminal.
  • Missing profiles after an update: If profiles are missing, you may need to manually recreate them. Go to ‘Settings’ > ‘Add New Profile’ and reconfigure the settings.


6. Uninstalling Windows Terminal

If you need to uninstall Windows Terminal, follow these steps:

  1. Open the Control Panel or Settings app on your computer.
  2. Go to Apps > Installed Apps (Windows).
  3. Find Windows Terminal in the list of installed apps and click Uninstall.
  4. Follow the on-screen instructions to remove it from your system.


7. Conclusion

Windows Terminal is a versatile and customizable tool that provides a unified experience for all your command-line needs. With features like multiple tabs, split panes, and a fully customizable interface, it’s a great tool for both casual users and power users. For more help, visit the Windows Terminal GitHub page.