New UI for Windows Terminal settings: changes

Windows Terminal to Get New Settings Interface: Key Changes

Microsoft is overhauling the Windows Terminal settings interface to simplify navigation and reduce visual clutter. A dedicated settings window will replace the built-in panel, providing a clear structure for options. Categories like "Startup", "Interaction", "Personalization", and "Compatibility" will get updated names and grouping that aligns with their purpose.

Toggles will convert to standard checkboxes, aligning with Fluent Design principles. Explanatory text will remain under each option to help junior developers understand. Autosave will become the default, with options to discard changes.

Navigation and Profile Improvements

The "New Tab" menu will be renamed to "Dropdown Menu" for clarity. The terminal preview will shift to the right, optimizing space. The profiles page will simplify: separate sections for default settings, color schemes, and custom profiles with an intuitive hierarchy.

Compact lists will display multiple hotkeys without overwhelming the UI. This will solve readability issues in scenarios with multiple bindings.

// Example of current settings.json structure (fragment)
{
  "profiles": {
    "defaults": {
      "colorScheme": "Campbell"
    },
    "list": [
      {
        "name": "PowerShell",
        "hotkeys": ["ctrl+shift+1", "ctrl+alt+1"]
      }
    ]
  }
}

The new UI will enable visual editing of such configurations without diving deep into JSON.

Integration with Console Host

The changes will integrate into Console Host via the Canary tab in Windows 11 (builds 28020.1797 and 29558.1000). The Terminal community's open-source contributions will impact the base console, adding features like improved rendering and tab support.

Developers can test updates in preview versions, minimizing risks in production environments.

Key benefits for mid/senior DevOps engineers:

• Reduced configuration time thanks to autosave and checkboxes.
• Better profile grouping for multi-tenant setups.
• UI standardization with Windows 11 for consistency in enterprise environments.
• Support for multiple hotkeys without UI clutter.

Key Takeaways

• Dedicated settings window: Simplifies navigation and minimizes confusion between categories.
• Checkboxes instead of toggles: Aligns with Fluent Design, with explanations under options.
• Autosave by default: With discard indicators for control.
• Profile optimization: Clear separation of defaults, schemes, and custom profiles.
• Integration into Console Host: Open-source improvements will reach the base Windows 11 console.

The update targets power users working with multiple terminals in DevOps, CI/CD pipelines, and remote sessions. Testing in the GitHub repo will allow contributions to the final release.

— Editorial Team