Custom Linux tweaks unlock Windows Terminal's full potential instantly.

Windows Terminal users often overlook essential features found in Linux terminals when using WSL or PowerShell. Customization has never been simpler, thanks to the flexibility of Windows Terminal. Several key tweaks can instantly transform its behavior to match that of a Linux terminal.

A much-missed feature in Linux terminal emulators is the ability to work with multiple terminals at once, reminiscent of how we navigate multiple web pages in a single browser session. This setup allows for efficient multitasking, such as editing code in one window and running commands in another.

To open multiple sessions in Windows Terminal, you can use tabs just like other emulators. A new tab is created with a simple click on the plus icon or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Shift + T, which defaults to the standard profile. Alternatively, holding down Shift and clicking the plus icon will launch a new window. For more complex arrangements, Alt can be pressed while clicking the plus button to split the current window into two sections side by side.

When using session switching, it's essential to note that windows cannot be detached like those in a terminal multiplexer, and will disappear if closed without saving first.

Existing tabs can be dragged into a new window, then easily reassembled there.

Learning about command line interfaces began on MS-DOS with a limited gray-on-black scheme. For Linux terminal emulators, a default style can be selected for each profile used. Under Ubuntu in WSL, I opt for the white-on-purple style that harmonizes with the standard theme of Ubuntu terminals.

Diving into PowerShell typically involves selecting a visual preference like the white-on-blue theme by default. Customizing Windows Terminal's appearance is done through its settings menu.

To personalize Windows Terminal, navigate to Settings and select the profile you wish to customize. For instance, if you want to alter Ubuntu's appearance, proceed to Settings > Ubuntu > Appearance under Profiles.

Selecting a new color scheme involves choosing from the available options in the drop-down menu.

The early 2000s saw transparent terminals gain popularity among Linux enthusiasts, offering a visually appealing interface that showcased system compatibility and technical expertise. This aesthetic appeal was not merely superficial, as it also facilitated practical use cases. By allowing users to overlay their terminal on top of web browsers, tutorials became more accessible and easier to follow along with online.

To fine-tune your Windows Terminal settings, navigate to the profile settings for the desired configuration. Within this section, locate the Transparency option, where you'll find the Background transparency setting. Currently, its slider is set at 100%. Adjusting it downward will lower the transparency level. Save changes by clicking the "Save" button.

Enabling the Acrylic Material setting in Windows Terminal can obscure underlying content, reducing its utility for monitoring what's beneath your terminal window.

To add a personal touch, select Background image from the menu and enter the file path of your chosen image or click Browse to access Windows Explorer for easy navigation.

Accessing previous actions in the Linux terminal just got easier with Ctrl + R, a built-in feature that allows for backward searching. This functionality is actually part of the shell, not the terminal itself. As a user, I find it indispensable for recalling past commands. Bash and zsh, my go-to shells, have this feature enabled by default under command-line editing options.

Under Ubuntu's zsh shell, pressing Ctrl + R triggers a prompt transformation into bck-i-search mode, an acronym for backward interactive search functionality.

Navigating PowerShell's recall features can be a pleasant surprise, especially when using the Ctrl + R shortcut effectively.

Unix workstations' early X Window systems diverged from modern desktop norms in mouse focus handling. One such technique was "focus-follows-mouse," where the cursor's position dictated interactive capabilities. As you moved your mouse over a window, it became accessible for interaction. Conversely, when the cursor resided outside the window, input attempts would be ignored. Many users who began with Unix systems during the 1980s and 1990s still favor this approach, including power users. Their assertion that it boosts productivity is intriguing, yet I'm skeptical about the role of habit in their preference.

Expert users frequently opt for this feature, so to activate it in Windows Terminal, navigate to Settings and select the Interaction tab. From there, toggle the option that automatically focuses the pane when hovering over it with your mouse cursor. Save your changes to apply the setting.

To utilize split window functionality, navigate to the menu bar and press the + (plus) button while holding the Alt key. This will create two separate terminal windows, allowing for simultaneous multitasking. In this mode, simply move your mouse cursor over the desired terminal pane to activate it, eliminating the need for a click.

Technical Windows users often overlook Windows Terminal's extensive customization capabilities. Beyond basic configurations, numerous tweaks can enhance user experience regardless of WSL or PowerShell usage.