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Overview
Windows Terminal is a Windows terminal application for working with command-line environments such as PowerShell, Command Prompt, and WSL from one interface. Tabs and split panes keep concurrent tasks visible, while text rendering, color schemes, themes, and profiles can be adapted to the workflow.
Features and best fit
Based on official documentation; not hands-on tested · Content checked:
Key features
Organize multiple shells with tabs and split panes
Command-line environments can be registered as profiles and opened in tabs or split panes. The wt command line can target windows and create tabs or panes, making repeatable terminal layouts accessible from shortcuts and scripts.
Adapt text rendering and appearance to the working environment
The application supports rich text, Unicode, emoji, color schemes, themes, backgrounds, and configurable key bindings. Users can move among several shells while retaining a consistent display and interaction layer.
Sources: [2]
Best fit
Fits Windows workflows that use several command-line environments every day
It is a strong fit for developers and operators who work across PowerShell, Command Prompt, and WSL and want builds, logs, and interactive sessions in one window. It also suits workflows that launch a known tab or pane layout from the command line.
Before adoption
Check the supported Windows version and distribution method first
Windows Terminal requires Windows 10 2004 (build 19041) or newer. The Microsoft Store distribution receives automatic updates, while manually installed GitHub packages do not. The repository also contains the legacy Windows Console Host and shared components, so source builds must distinguish the intended target.
Sources: [2]
Official sources
- [1]microsoft/terminal repository metadata(2026-10-04)
- [2]Windows Terminal v1.25.2733.0 README(2026-10-04)
- [3]Windows Terminal v1.25.2733.0 release(2026-10-04)
- [4]Windows Terminal command-line documentation at c341a636(2026-10-04)
- [5]Windows Terminal v1.25.2733.0 MIT license(2026-10-04)
Supplemental curator note
For teams that use several Windows shells, compare terminal choices by repeatable profile configuration and update path as well as appearance. Store and manually installed distributions have different update behavior.
Try it in 3 steps
- 1
Install the stable release with WinGet
Run on Windows 10 2004 (build 19041) or newer with WinGet 1.6.2631 or newer.
winget install --id Microsoft.WindowsTerminal -e - 2
Open the default profile
Launch Windows Terminal in a new window with the default command-line profile.
wt - 3
Review the available command-line actions
Display the arguments for working with tabs, panes, and windows.
wt --help
Growth
Growth trends · Last 30 days
105,072 Stars
Trend data is still being collected.
Development activity
Last 90 days · weekly
- Commits (last 30 days)
- 34
- Open PRs
- 97
Development activity is still being collected.
Built with
Categories and tags
Categories
Tags
GitHub data
GitHub dataView detailed GitHub data
GitHub Topics
- console
- terminal
- cmd
- wsl
- windows-console
- command-line
- windows-terminal
- contributions-welcome
- good-first-issue
- windows
- hacktoberfest
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