6 Best Ways to Customize Windows Terminal App
Microsoft’s all-new Windows Terminal app has come a long way since its first launch back in 2019. The new and improved command-line app for Windows bringscommand prompt, Powershell, and Azure Cloud Shell all three within a single app. With its browser-like tab experience and range of customization options, using a command-line tool has never been more exciting. In this article, we’ll learn how to customize various aspects of theWindows Terminal appto suit your needs.
Table of Contents
1. Configure Startup
Windows Terminal offers a few startup settings that you can tweak to personalize your app experience. Here’s how to access them.
To tweak startup settings in the Windows Terminal app, use thedrop-down menuin the title bar to navigate toSettings.
Alternatively, you may also use theCtrl + ,shortcut to quickly open theSettingstab.
Here, you can change thedefault profile(a tab that appears when you launch a Windows terminal instance or open a new tab) using the drop-down menu below it.
Additionally, Windows Terminal also offers a fewlaunch modes. Move your cursor to any of the options to read a brief description of it.
You can further customize the behavior of a Terminal window when a new instance is launched by picking one of the options under theNew instance behaviorsection.
At startup, you’re able to also set the size of the Terminal window by defining theColumns and Rows size. This number is measured in the number of characters a terminal window can fit.
2. Tweak Appearance
Aside from the Startup, Windows Terminal also has a few appearance settings that you may change to customize the look and feel of the app.
Open Settings for the Windows Terminal app and navigate to theAppearancetab. Here, you canset a themefor the Windows Terminal. You can choose between a light, dark, or a system default theme.
On top of that, depending on your preference, you may choose toshow or hide tabsand thetitle barwhile using the Terminal app.
If you prefer, you can also choose todisable all the animationsinside the Windows Terminal app by toggling off thePane animationsoption.
3. Customize Tabs
Probably the best part about using the terminal app is the inclusion of tab functionality. But that’s not all. The app also allows you to further customize these tabs by changing their colors and renaming them.
To change a tab’s color,right-clickon the tab and choose theColoroption from the list. Now use the GUI color picker to pick a new color for the tab.
Similarly, to rename a tab,right-clickon it and selectRename Taboption.
4. Modify Color Scheme
Windows Terminal also has a few color schemes that you may use. You can find it in the Color scheme tab in the Windows Terminal Settings.
Here, you can change Terminal’s foreground, background, cursor color, and more.
While it does come pre-equipped with a few color schemes, you may always create your own by using theAdd newoption.
5. Change Background
Aside from the colors scheme, Windows Terminal also allows you to play around with its background. You can use a regular image, set your desktop wallpaper or even use a GIF as the background. Here’s how to do it.
1.To change the background of the Windows Terminal, pressCtrl + ,to quickly launch theSettingstab.
2.Select one of theprofilesfrom the left pane. Then under theAppearancetab on your right scroll down to theBackground image.
Here, you’re able to either paste the image’s file path or use your desktop wallpaper as the background by checking the box.
6. Change Font and Cursor
Once you have your preferred color scheme and background, it’s time to change the all-important fonts and cursor in the terminal app.
To change font style and size, navigate to one of your profiles in theSettingstab. Now on your right, switch to theAppearancetab scroll down to theTextsection.
Here, you can pick one of the color schemes for the text. Here, you can change the defaultfont styleto your liking along with itssize and weight.
Right below the Text section, you’ll findCursor shapesettings. You can pick one from the available choices.
Once done, click on theSavebutton to apply the changes.
Wrap Up: Customize Windows Terminal App
That concludes our post on customizing the Windows Terminal app. Even in its early stages, the Windows Terminal app is packed with all the useful features you’d need. With the amount of customization and nifty feature it offers, it’s fair to say that Windows users have finally got themself a native command-line app they can enjoy using.
Also Read:Run Cmd Prompt as Administrator With This Desktop Shortcut
Pankil Shah
Pankil is a Civil Engineer by profession who started his journey as a writer back in 2016. He joined TechWiser in March 2021 as a freelance writer to cover buying guides, explainers, and tips & tricks for Android, iOS, Windows, and Web.
