Transforming Windows Terminal into a Productivity Powerhouse

#windows #terminal #cli

Everything is started from this post on bluesky, by Thomas -
https://bsky.app/profile/thomasvochten.com/post/3ldsjjmz6dk22

So, I decided to write this blog post. 😱

When it comes to terminal applications, customization can make all the difference. Whether you're coding, managing repositories, or presenting tutorials, a well-configured terminal can boost productivity and make your work more enjoyable.

For developers and Microsoft enthusiasts, Windows Terminal offers a modern, powerful, and highly customizable experience. With support for multiple profiles, themes, and third-party integrations, it allows you to tailor the interface to your needs.

In this post, I’ll walk you through my personalized Windows Terminal setup, optimized for PowerShell. From my favorite color scheme and font choices to advanced configurations like Oh My Posh and Quake Mode, you’ll learn how to create an efficient and visually appealing terminal environment.

Powering Up with Oh My Posh

One of the easiest ways to make your terminal both stylish and functional is by using Oh My Posh—a prompt theme engine that enhances your PowerShell prompt with colors, icons, and useful information.

1. Installing Oh My Posh

To install Oh My Posh, open PowerShell and run:

winget install JanDeDobbeleer.OhMyPosh -s winget

If winget isn’t available, download it directly from the Oh My Posh GitHub releases page.

2. Configuring the Unicorn Theme (Online)

Once Oh My Posh is installed, you can apply the Unicorn theme directly from an online source without needing to save it locally.

Open your PowerShell profile:

notepad $PROFILE

Add the following line to load the Unicorn theme:

oh-my-posh init pwsh --config https://raw.githubusercontent.com/JanDeDobbeleer/oh-my-posh/main/themes/unicorn.omp.json | Invoke-Expression

Save and close the file.
Apply the changes immediately by running:

. $PROFILE

Fun Features: Quake Mode for Quick Access

One of the coolest features in Windows Terminal is Quake Mode. Inspired by gaming consoles, this feature is perfect for multitasking and quickly running commands without leaving your workflow.

Launch Quake Mode

Open Windows Terminal or Command Prompt.
Use the following command or create a new link on your taskbar:

wt -w _quake

Quake Mode use your default profile by default and you can have only a window at time with this particular mode.

When the Quake Mode windows is enabled, you can toggle it by using the keyboard shortcut.

Windows + `

Note: it's perfect for demoing!

When to Use Quake Mode

Quick Access – Open a terminal instantly without leaving your current task.
Multitasking – Check logs or run short scripts without cluttering your workspace.
Presentations – Toggle it on and off during tutorials for seamless demonstrations.

Best Practices for Windows Terminal Configurations

1. Backup Your Settings

Save your settings.json file regularly to sync configurations across devices.
Personally I use OneDrive.

2. Use Profiles for Different Tasks

Create profiles for tutorials, debugging, or specific shells for easier management.

Color Scheme

My default color scheme is One Half Dark, because it's good for mixing readability but at the same time is the right mix of cool colors. 🙂

Specific Profiles

I didn't change the names of the default profiles provided by Windows Terminal, but only selected "PowerShell" as my default one.
Aside of that, when I have to share my screen or deliver webinar or courses, my fonts are not in the right size to do that.
So, I duplicated the PowerShell profile and I called it "PowerShell (tutorial)".
In the appearance settings of this specific profile, I change the font size from 12 to 26.

So, when I have to share my screen or record a video, I use this particular profile.

Transparency

To obtain the transparency effect of the main window of Windows Terminal, from the Profiles menu, Defaults, you can set a value that you like the most.
For me it's 70% but everyone has different preference.