Mastering Windows Terminal: A Complete Guide

What you will learn:

Master the Windows Terminal interface.
Configure and customize Windows Terminal effectively.
Personalize various compatible shells (Cmd, PowerShell, Bash, Git, Zsh, Python, C#, Java, NodeJS, etc.).
Establish secure remote connections using SSH.

Description

This comprehensive course assumes a foundational understanding of the Windows operating system. It's designed for intermediate users; beginners might find some concepts challenging. For a solid base, consider my other courses on Complete Windows Fundamentals, Advanced Windows Administration, and Windows Scripting Essentials, also available on this platform.

We begin by installing and launching Windows Terminal. Whether working in the cloud or developing web applications, the command line remains a vital tool for web developers and IT administrators. For a long time, Windows' command-line experience lagged behind UNIX-based systems. Simple tasks like selecting and copying text were significantly more difficult in Windows compared to Linux, macOS, or BSD.

In 2019, Microsoft introduced Windows Terminal as a unified experience for command-line tools. Even better, it's open-source, offering familiar features with enhanced customization. Enjoy profile-based configuration, keyboard shortcuts, and a rapid development cycle ensuring continuous improvements.

Windows Terminal operates independently of the classic Command Prompt, allowing both to coexist. This lets Microsoft quickly release new features without jeopardizing backward compatibility.

This course covers the Windows Terminal interface, installing Ubuntu with WSL2, configuration and customization, keyboard shortcuts, and remote system connections. You'll master personalized profiles for diverse tools like Git Bash, SSH, Python, and more, transforming your command-line experience.

Beyond the basics, delve into advanced customization with themes, color schemes, background images, and integrating tools like Oh-my-posh for PowerShell. Elevate your command line workflow to a new level of efficiency and elegance.

Curriculum

Introduction to Windows Terminal

This introductory section begins with a presentation by the instructor, followed by a step-by-step guide on installing and launching Windows Terminal. You'll learn the essential first steps to get started with this powerful tool. Lectures include: Instructor Introduction, Windows Terminal Installation, and Running Windows Terminal.

The Windows Terminal User Interface

Explore the core features of the Windows Terminal interface. You'll learn to navigate tabs and panes, manage terminal output, understand the command palette, and master essential keyboard shortcuts. Lectures cover: Terminal Tabs, Terminal Panes, Managing Terminal Output, Command Palette, and Windows Terminal Keyboard Shortcuts.

Installing Ubuntu on WSL

This section guides you through installing and using Ubuntu on the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL). Learn to set up WSL 2, install Ubuntu 20.04, run it from Windows Terminal, and even install additional Linux applications. Lectures include: Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), Installing WSL 2, Installing Ubuntu 20.04, Running Ubuntu from Windows Terminal, and Installing Linux Applications.

Configuring Windows Terminal

Dive into configuring Windows Terminal using the settings.json file. Learn about global settings, profile configuration, and create custom profiles for various tools, including Git Bash, SSH, C#, Python, Node.js, Java, and Vim. Lectures cover: Windows Terminal Configuration, settings.json Structure, Global Configuration, Profile Configuration, and Custom Profile Creation for Git Bash, SSH, C#, Python, Node.js, Java, and Vim.

Customizing Windows Terminal

Personalize your Windows Terminal experience by customizing color schemes, using third-party themes, creating your own color schemes, adding background images, and configuring terminal translucency. Learn to enhance your shells with Oh-my-posh, Oh-my-bash, and Oh-my-zsh. Lectures include: Terminal Color Schemes, Third-Party Color Schemes, Creating Custom Color Schemes, Background Images & Translucent Terminal, Customizing PowerShell with Oh-my-posh, Customizing Bash with Oh-my-bash, Customizing ZSh with Oh-my-zsh, and Customizing the Command Prompt.

Configuring Keyboard Shortcuts

Learn how to efficiently use Windows Terminal's keyboard shortcut system. Create custom commands and terminal compositions to streamline your workflow. Lectures cover: Windows Terminal Keyboard Shortcut System, Custom Commands, and Custom Terminal Compositions.

Remote System Connections

This section teaches you to establish secure remote connections to other systems using SSH, both on Windows and WSL2. You'll also learn to use GitHub from within Windows Terminal. Lectures include: SSH on Windows, SSH on WSL2, and GitHub from Windows Terminal.