Lecture Notes: Windows Terminal Configuration

Introduction

• Speaker: Scott Hanselman
• Topic: Windows Terminal Configuration
• Purpose: To help users configure and efficiently use Windows Terminal

Key Features of Windows Terminal

Profiles

• Various profiles available (e.g., Windows PowerShell, regular PowerShell, versions of Linux)
• Profiles are accessible and configurable at the top of the terminal

Hotkeys and Actions

• Common Hotkeys:
  • Open new tab: Ctrl + T
  • Close tab: Ctrl + W
  • Alt-Click to split windows
  • Shift-Click to open a new window
• Panes:
  • Open multiple panes by holding down Alt and clicking desired profiles
  • Blue outline indicates active pane
  • Close panes: Ctrl + W
• Command Palette:
  • Open with Ctrl + Shift + P
  • Displays all available commands and their hotkeys
  • Useful for discovering and assigning commands

Configuring Commands and Hotkeys

Command Palette Use

• Example: Finding and binding the 'Find' command to Ctrl + Shift + F
• Open via Ctrl + Shift + P, search, and reassign commands if needed

Terminal Settings Menu

• Accessible through the settings menu
• Actions Tab:
  • View and modify all terminal actions
  • Commands and hotkeys are configurable
  • Example: Close Pane (Ctrl + W), Customize hotkeys

JSON Configuration

• Open JSON file from settings for advanced users
  • Benefits: Store settings in GitHub Gist, OneDrive, etc.
• Example of JSON configuration:
  • Bind commands like Find (Ctrl + Shift + F), Close Pane (Ctrl + W), Split Pane (Ctrl + Shift + -)
  • Custom commands can be added
  • Recommended for advanced configuration and portability

Advanced Tips

• Using Visual Studio Code for JSON Editing
  • JSON Schema supported by VS Code for terminal settings
  • Automatic error checking and reverting to backups on syntax errors
• Adding custom hotkeys directly in JSON and UI
  • Example: Adding custom bind Ctrl + Alt + Shift + W to close all other tabs

Conclusion

• Utilize hotkeys and actions for efficient Windows Terminal use
• JSON configuration offers advanced customization
• Resource: Speaker's YouTube channel for further tutorials

Final Note

• Quick, one-take video respecting viewer's time
• Encouragement to view other educational videos
• Call for questions in the comments

• End of Lecture Commands
  • Alexa, turn off the office.