Windows Terminal provides a modern and customizable command line experience with features like tabs, split screens, and theming.
Oh My Posh enhances the aesthetic and functionality of the command line interface with customizable themes, extensions, and Git integration.
Deep dives
Windows Terminal: The New User Interface for Command Line Applications on Windows
Windows Terminal is a new user interface for command line applications on Windows. It replaces the traditional command prompt and PowerShell interfaces. With Windows Terminal, users can enjoy a more modern and customizable command line experience. The terminal supports features like tabs, split screens, and theming. Users can easily switch between different shells, including Command Prompt, PowerShell, and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) distributions. The command palette allows for quick access to various actions and settings. Users can also take advantage of ligatures in their command line interface. Windows Terminal is included by default in Windows 11 and can be installed separately on other versions of Windows.
Customization and Flexibility with Cascadia Code and Oh My Posh
Windows Terminal offers customization options, including the ability to change the font. Cascadia Code is a font specifically designed for Windows Terminal and is included by default. Users can also use Oh My Posh, a popular customization tool for the command line interface. Oh My Posh allows users to personalize their command prompt with different themes and extensions. It supports features like Git integration, showing branch and commit information, as well as other customizable elements. Oh My Posh enhances the overall aesthetic and functionality of the command line interface, providing a more enjoyable and personalized experience.
Windows Terminal Features: Mark Mode and Command Palette
Windows Terminal is constantly evolving, with new features being added regularly. One upcoming feature is 'Mark Mode,' which allows users to select and copy text using the keyboard, making it more accessible and efficient. Currently, users can only select text in the active input buffer, but Mark Mode will enable them to select text from command output as well. Another useful feature is the Command Palette, accessible through shortcuts like Ctrl+P or Ctrl+Shift+P. The Command Palette provides quick access to various actions and commands, making it easier to perform common tasks, such as splitting panes or changing color schemes.
Future Developments: Making Windows Terminal the Default and Improving Usability
The Windows Terminal team is actively working on making Windows Terminal the default command line interface on Windows, which involves ensuring compatibility with existing tools and workflows. They are also working on features like tab tearing, allowing users to detach tabs from the main window, and improving tab reordering. Additionally, they are working to enable keyboard selection of text in the terminal output. With regular updates and community engagement, the Windows Terminal team aims to continuously enhance the user experience and provide a powerful and customizable command line interface for Windows users.
In this episode, I was thrilled to be joined by Kayla Cinnamon to chat about the Windows Terminal! I’m a huge fan of WT, and use it daily - so it was an honour to have Kayla on to chat about it! Kayla is a Program Manager at Microsoft, Delivering Windows Terminal and Cascadia Code. She’s also the Host of Windows Wednesday, and works on the Windows developer experience.