Even though it may not seem like it, the terminal is one of our main allies. Linux users know very well what I'm talking about, but even in Windows it is necessary (from time to time) to return to the classic prompt to set things straight. Last May, Redmond released the code for a new terminal with tab support and better fonts, followed by a preview in June. After a long wait, we now have Windows Terminal 1.0, offering users the ability to combine multiple environments under a single window.
If everything goes well, the average Windows user will never enter the terminal or 'system console.' However, no operating system is fixed with positive thoughts, and sooner or later we must go back there, even for simple things like connectivity test or a DNS purge.
That's how we come across Windows Terminal 1.0. Microsoft has been working on this project for nearly a year, and through a brief announcement on its developer blog, confirmed the release of its first stable edition. There are two options for installation: the releases on GitHub, or the Microsoft Store (more convenient in this case, but not well liked by users). An important detail to highlight is that Windows Terminal does not replace anything. CMD, PowerShell, and WSL can be run independently as always. Windows Terminal is essentially a more convenient way to bring these tools together in one place.
Windows Terminal 1.0: A Better Way to Use the Terminal
This is possible thanks to its main feature: tab support. Click the downward arrow or use one of the keyboard shortcuts to open CMD, PowerShell, WSL, and Azure Shell in separate tabs. Windows Terminal will automatically create these profiles based on what it detects (for example, more than one PowerShell version), and all text is rendered via GPU, with "Cascadia Code" as the central font package.
However, it would be a mistake to ignore the support for customizing Windows Terminal. We can configure color schemes, alternative fonts, background images and transparencies, and keyboard shortcuts. The official announcement shares some fan creations, and by far, my favorite is the retro effect. Unfortunately, its installation is not entirely intuitive: you have to edit the JSON configuration file, add the necessary code, and install a font that is not part of the terminal, PxPlus IBM VGA8... but the effort is worth it. The green phosphor burns your eyes and soul. (?)
In summary, download a copy of Windows Terminal 1.0 and give it a try. If you consider yourself a frequent user of PowerShell, the console, and/or WSL, I'm sure it will be very useful for you.
Download from GitHub: Click here
Download from the Store: Click here
