Terminal: Feature Request - Easier means of launching Windows Terminal

Created on 23 Jun 2019 · 8Comments · Source: microsoft/terminal

Summary of the new feature/enhancement

Most of the time, when I open a command prompt, I either run cmd from the navbar of the directory I want to open in Windows Explorer, or I run cmd from the Run utility (Win + R).

It would be great if one of the solutions outlined below would allow better integration of Windows Terminal, making it a more viable shell for use in Windows.

Proposed technical implementation details (optional)

Default Shell
In Windows 10, you have the option of setting application defaults. A Shell category could be added and linked to Windows Terminal. This way, any time you launch PowerShell, Command Prompt, or any other CLI, it will launch in Windows Terminal. I know OS-wide settings are outside of the scope of this project, but I think it is a good conversation to have regarding people who want to use this tool by default at the operating system level.

terminal-settings

Alternative Solution
Provide a way to launch Windows Terminal in the same way you can use cmd to launch Command Prompt (as specified above).

Area-Settings Issue-Docs Issue-Feature Product-Terminal Resolution-Won't-Fix

Source

JaimeStill

👍13

Most helpful comment

instead of cmd, type wt

I either run cmd from the navbar of the directory I want to open in Windows Explorer, or I run cmd from the Run utility (Win + R).

Shorotshishir on 23 Jun 2019

👍7 🎉6

All 8 comments

instead of cmd, type wt

I either run cmd from the navbar of the directory I want to open in Windows Explorer, or I run cmd from the Run utility (Win + R).

Shorotshishir on 23 Jun 2019

👍7 🎉6

@Shorotshishir thanks, I didn't find any mention of this on my initial tinkering. This is definitely helpful! However, it does not work for resolving the current directory when launching from the navigation bar in Explorer.

JaimeStill on 23 Jun 2019

@JaimeStill use "startingDirectory" : "%__CD__%". your issue will be resolved.

Shorotshishir on 23 Jun 2019

👍2

@Shorotshishir is it possible to use %__CD__% only when launching from the navigation bar in Explorer and use %PROFILE% when launching from start menu?

ducaale on 23 Jun 2019

👍3

@ducaale @Shorotshishir having the ability to differentiate the two scenarios would definitely be ideal.

JaimeStill on 24 Jun 2019

I'm guessing this will come later when the Terminal is closer to being out of preview, but a way to just have this popup whenever CMD/Powershell/WSL would open would be nice.

Dinjoralo on 24 Jun 2019

👍5

Right now, wt is the "easier" way to launch wt. If you're using a dev build, it's wtd. This'll be better served by #492.

DHowett-MSFT on 27 Jun 2019

👍1

While this is actually the opposite of "Launching" Windows Terminal, it would be great if you could close the current tab (Powershell or CMD) with CTRL+D. This is very common on Linux shells like Bash.