How to Use Windows Terminal with Multiple Shells

Windows Terminal is a modern, versatile command-line application developed by Microsoft. It allows users to work with multiple command-line shells such as PowerShell, Command Prompt (CMD), Azure Cloud Shell, and Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) in one unified interface. This guide will explain how to set up and use Windows Terminal with multiple shells effectively. It will also cover customization, troubleshooting, and tips to improve your command-line workflow.

What Is Windows Terminal and Why Use Multiple Shells?

Windows Terminal provides tabbed access to different shell environments on Windows. Using multiple shells lets you switch between tools designed for different tasks:

• PowerShell: Advanced scripting and automation.
• Command Prompt (CMD): Traditional Windows shell for legacy commands.
• WSL (Linux shells): Run Linux command-line tools and environments natively on Windows.
• Azure Cloud Shell: Manage cloud resources directly from your terminal.

Using all these in one app improves productivity by avoiding the need to open separate apps.

Step 1: Installing Windows Terminal

If not already installed, download Windows Terminal from the Microsoft Store:

1. Open Microsoft Store.
2. Search for Windows Terminal.
3. Click Install.
4. After installation, launch Windows Terminal from the Start menu.

Alternatively, you can install it using winget (Windows Package Manager) in Command Prompt or PowerShell:

powershell

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winget install –id Microsoft.WindowsTerminal -e

Step 2: Understanding Default Shells in Windows Terminal

By default, Windows Terminal includes profiles for:

• PowerShell
• Command Prompt
• Azure Cloud Shell (requires login)
• Any installed WSL distributions

To check which shells are available:

• Open Windows Terminal.
• Click the dropdown arrow next to the plus (+) tab button.
• You’ll see the list of available shells or profiles.

Step 3: Adding New Shell Profiles

You can add any installed shell as a new profile in Windows Terminal.

For Command Prompt and PowerShell:

These are included automatically.

For WSL:

1. Ensure you have WSL installed with one or more Linux distributions.
2. Windows Terminal automatically detects installed WSL distros.
3. These will appear as separate profiles in the dropdown menu.

For Custom Shells (e.g., Git Bash, Cmder):

You can add them manually:

1. Open Windows Terminal.
2. Click on the dropdown arrow and select Settings (opens settings.json).
3. Under “profiles”: { “list”: […] }, add a new JSON object for your shell. For example, Git Bash:

json

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{

“guid”: “{your-guid-here}”,

“name”: “Git Bash”,

“commandline”: “C:\\Program Files\\Git\\bin\\bash.exe”,

“icon”: “C:\\Program Files\\Git\\mingw64\\share\\git\\git-for-windows.ico”

}

1. Save the file. The new profile appears in the dropdown.

Step 4: Switching Between Shells in Windows Terminal

Switching is simple:

• Click the dropdown arrow next to the tabs.
• Select the desired shell from the list.
• A new tab opens running that shell.

You can open multiple tabs, each running different shells simultaneously.

Step 5: Customizing Windows Terminal

Windows Terminal is highly customizable through the settings.json file or via the Settings UI in newer versions.

Customize Appearance:

• Change background color or set background images per profile.
• Adjust font family and font size.
• Set custom tab colors to differentiate shells visually.

Set Default Shell:

1. Open Settings.
2. Under Startup, choose the default profile to open when launching Windows Terminal.

Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Use Ctrl+Shift+T to open a new tab with the default shell.
• Press Ctrl+Shift+Number to switch between tabs.
• Customize shortcuts in settings as needed.

Step 6: Using Windows Terminal with Multiple Shells in Practice

• Use PowerShell for system management and automation.
• Use CMD for legacy commands and batch scripts.
• Use WSL to run Linux commands and tools natively.
• Open several tabs or split panes (Alt+Shift+Plus) to work with multiple shells side by side.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• Missing Shell Profiles: Ensure the shell or WSL distro is installed correctly.
• Settings Not Saving: Use the correct JSON format in settings file; errors prevent saving.
• Shell Not Starting: Verify the commandline path is correct.
• Performance Issues: Update Windows Terminal to the latest version; disable GPU acceleration if necessary.

Personal Tips from Experience

I use Windows Terminal daily to switch seamlessly between PowerShell and multiple WSL distros. Customizing profile colors helps me instantly recognize which shell I’m using, reducing errors. Adding Git Bash as a profile makes managing git repositories smoother. Split panes are handy when monitoring logs and running commands simultaneously.

Conclusion

Using Windows Terminal with multiple shells enhances command-line productivity by consolidating diverse environments into a single interface. With simple installation, profile management, and customization, you can tailor the terminal to your workflow. This guide covered how to install Windows Terminal, add multiple shells, switch between them, customize settings, and troubleshoot common issues. Start using Windows Terminal today to bring all your shells under one roof efficiently.