New Windows Terminal: Answers to Your Questions
- Transfer
In the comments on a recent article, you asked a lot of questions about the new version of our Windows Terminal. Today we will try to answer some of them.
Under the cut are some of the most frequently asked questions that we heard (and still hear), as well as official answers: including the replacement of PowerShell and how to start using the new product today.
We strive to release Windows Terminal v1.0 by the end of 2019, but at the same time we will work with the community to release this version so that the terminal is of high quality.
To answer this question, let's clarify a few terms and concepts:
Thus, the question should most likely be reformulated as “Windows Terminal - is it a replacement for Windows Console?”
The answer is “No”:
Soon! We do not have a set timeline, but we are actively working on the completion of the font. Once it is ready for release, it will be open and available in its repository.
If you missed our performance at Build 2019, here are some of the highlights that will help you get rid of a few more questions:
During a talk by Rajesh Jha, Kevin Gallo announced a new terminal and showed off our new “Terminal Sizzle Video”, illustrating the desired direction for v1.0:
→ Video link
Rich Turner [Senior Program Manager] and Michael Niksa [Senior Software Engineer] had an in-depth session at Windows Terminal, its architecture and code.
→ Video link
Be sure to follow the updates on @cinnamon_msft and @richturn_ms on Twitter and visit our command line blog more often in the coming weeks and months to learn more about the terminal and our progress towards v1.0.
If you are a developer and would like to participate, please visit the terminal repository on GitHub and review and discuss problems with the team and the community, and if you have time, contribute by sending a PR containing corrections and improvements to help us make the terminal awesome!
If you are not a developer, but still would like to try out the terminal, download it from the Microsoft Store after its publication this summer and be sure to send us a feedback about what you like, what you don't like, etc.
Under the cut are some of the most frequently asked questions that we heard (and still hear), as well as official answers: including the replacement of PowerShell and how to start using the new product today.
When and where can I get a new Windows Terminal?
- You can clone the terminal source code from GitHub at github.com/microsoft/terminal and build it on your computer.
Note : be sure to read and follow the instructions on the README page in the repository before you try to build the project - to build the project you need to follow some preconditions and initialization steps! - The preview version of the terminal will be available for download from the Microsoft Store in the summer of 2019.
We strive to release Windows Terminal v1.0 by the end of 2019, but at the same time we will work with the community to release this version so that the terminal is of high quality.
Is Windows Terminal a replacement for Command Prompt and / or PowerShell?
To answer this question, let's clarify a few terms and concepts:
- Command Prompt and PowerShell (e.g. WSL / bash / etc. in * NIX) are shells, not terminals, and do not have their own UI
- When you run the shell / application / command-line tool, Windows automatically launches and connects them to instances of the Windows Console (if necessary)
- The Windows Console is a standard “terminal-like” UI application that ships with Windows and has been used by users for the past 30 years to run command-line tools in Windows NT, 2000, XP, Vista, 7, 8, and 10
Thus, the question should most likely be reformulated as “Windows Terminal - is it a replacement for Windows Console?”
The answer is “No”:
- Windows Console will continue to ship to Windows for decades to provide backward compatibility with many millions of existing / legacy scripts, applications, and command line tools
- Windows Terminal will work with the Windows Console, but is likely to become the preferred tool for users who want to run command-line tools on Windows
- Windows Terminal can connect to Command Prompt and PowerShell, as well as to any other shell / tool / command line application. You can open independent tabs connected to Command Prompt, PowerShell, bash (via WSL or ssh) and any other shells / tools of your choice
When can I get a new font?
Soon! We do not have a set timeline, but we are actively working on the completion of the font. Once it is ready for release, it will be open and available in its repository.
How it was at Build
If you missed our performance at Build 2019, here are some of the highlights that will help you get rid of a few more questions:
Terminal Keynote and Aspirational Video
During a talk by Rajesh Jha, Kevin Gallo announced a new terminal and showed off our new “Terminal Sizzle Video”, illustrating the desired direction for v1.0:
→ Video link
Session in Windows Terminal
Rich Turner [Senior Program Manager] and Michael Niksa [Senior Software Engineer] had an in-depth session at Windows Terminal, its architecture and code.
→ Video link
Conclusion
Be sure to follow the updates on @cinnamon_msft and @richturn_ms on Twitter and visit our command line blog more often in the coming weeks and months to learn more about the terminal and our progress towards v1.0.
If you are a developer and would like to participate, please visit the terminal repository on GitHub and review and discuss problems with the team and the community, and if you have time, contribute by sending a PR containing corrections and improvements to help us make the terminal awesome!
If you are not a developer, but still would like to try out the terminal, download it from the Microsoft Store after its publication this summer and be sure to send us a feedback about what you like, what you don't like, etc.