Hidden VS Code Terminal Options Each Developer Must Know

by | Dec 1, 2025 | Etcetera | 0 comments

If you’re the use of Visible Studio Code (VS Code), you’ve maximum no doubt used its built-in terminal to run directions and scripts without ever leaving the editor.

The terminal plays a big place in most developers’ day by day workflow, so even small annoyances like a reasonably visible cursor or dropping your home while scrolling can gradual you down and smash your focus.

In this article, we’ll cross over a few simple settings you’ll be capable to tweak on your VS Code terminal to boost your productivity and make your coding enjoy further stress-free.

First, let’s see where to hunt out the terminal settings.


Client Settings

You’ll get right to use the terminal settings by way of going to Record > Preferences > Settings (or by way of pressing Ctrl + ,), then in search of “terminal” or navigate from “Choices > Terminal” on the left pane menu.

VS Code terminal settings menu

In this case, on the other hand, we’ll be together with the settings immediately to the settings.json as I imagine it’s more straightforward than having to search for each and every atmosphere for my part.

To save some settings on the settings.json file, you’ll be capable to unlock Command Palette (Ctrl + Shift + P (or Cmd + Shift + P on Mac), then type and select Preferences: Open Settings (JSON).

VS Code settings JSON editor

This will likely open the settings.json file where you’ll be capable to add or regulate your terminal settings.

Now, we can get began customizing the terminal.


Terminal IntelliSense

VS Code’s Terminal IntelliSense makes working inside the terminal quicker and smoother by way of suggesting knowledge, folders, directions, and even arguments as you type.

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To use it, you’ll first need to ensure that shell integration is enabled by way of atmosphere:

{
    "terminal.integrated.shellIntegration.enabled": true
}

Once that’s was on, you’ll be capable to activate IntelliSense concepts with:

{
    "terminal.integrated.suggest.enabled": true
}

VS Code then provides good concepts in line with your shell in conjunction with Bash, Zsh, or PowerShell. As you get began typing a command, it’s going to routinely show you comparable concepts. It assessments your machine to suggest available directions.

For instance, it is helping native or built-in command in Unix related to ls, clear, and even an alias.

Terminal IntelliSense suggesting commands

It moreover is helping directions from additional programs or techniques related to git.

Git commands with IntelliSense

It even assessments your provide workspace for directions or scripts set inside the project workspace related to inside the package.json or composer.json file.

NPM commands with suggestions

Sticky Scroll

The Sticky Scroll is a brand spanking new feature in VS Code. When enabled, it assists in keeping the easiest line of the terminal visible as you scroll down showing the command you’re in recent times working on. This is specifically useful when working with long outputs or logs, as a result of it’s serving to you keep observe of your home without dropping context.

To allow Sticky Scroll, add the following atmosphere on your VS Code settings:

{
    "terminal.integrated.stickyScroll.enabled": true
}

With this atmosphere enabled, the easiest line of your terminal will keep visible as you scroll during the output, making it more straightforward to observe along side your directions and their results. Beneath for example, we’ve merely run ll to tick list items inside the provide record.

Terminal with sticky scroll enabled

Customize Cursor

Changing how the terminal cursor turns out may make a big difference in usability. A further visible cursor helps you briefly to find where you’re typing, reducing errors and improving efficiency.

To customize the cursor style, you’ll be capable to use the following atmosphere:

{
    "terminal.integrated.cursorStyle": "block"
}

Possible choices include block, line, or underline.

Different terminal cursor styles

You’ll moreover set the types when the terminal is concentrated or unfocused the use of:

{
    "terminal.integrated.cursorStyleInactive": "line"
}

Along with trade whether or not or no longer the cursor will have to blink. This is by way of default disabled, on the other hand enabling it’s going to smartly make the cursor further noticeable:

{
    "terminal.integrated.cursorBlinking": true
}

Default Location

Via default, the Terminal in VS Code might be positioned at the bottom of the window. Then again, you’ll be capable to trade its default location to open as an editor tab with the following atmosphere:

{
    "terminal.integrated.defaultLocation": "editor"
}

This will also be particularly useful when you’ve got a big monitor or need to have your terminal alongside your code.

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Terminal in editor view

Customize Tab Title

When working on stylish tasks, you frequently need to run multiple terminals immediately. Most likely one on your frontend, and one for the backend. Keeping track of them can get messy speedy. Thankfully, VS Code means that you can rename terminal tabs in order that you always know what’s what.

To rename a terminal tab, simply right-click on the terminal tab and select Rename. Then, type on your desired determine and hit Enter. For instance, you’ll be capable to label them “Frontend” or “Backend” to turn you easy methods to decide.

Renaming terminal tabs menu

Merely take into account that this modification is short and might be out of place when you close the terminal. If you want to set a further permanent naming convention, you’ll be capable to customize the terminal tab title the use of variables.

My favorite trick that is to combine every to have the terminal show the running process along side the prevailing working record.

You’ll do this by way of together with the following atmosphere:

{
    "terminal.integrated.tabs.title": "${process}",
    "terminal.integrated.tabs.description": "${cwdFolder}",
}
Custom terminal tab titles

Get a divorce CWD

When you lower up a terminal in VS Code, where the new terminal opens, the prevailing working record (CWD) can vary depending on your working machine.

On House home windows, it frequently jumps once more to the record where the main terminal started, while on macOS and Linux, it most often opens within the equivalent folder for the reason that mum or dad pane. This small difference can merely reason why confusion, specifically when you’re switching between tactics.

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You’ll make this habits consistent by way of updating the terminal.integrated.splitCwd atmosphere, as follows:

{
    "terminal.integrated.splitCwd": "workspaceRoot"
}

Environment it to "workspaceRoot" promises that each new lower up terminal always opens on your project’s root folder. It’s a small trade that makes your workflow predictable.


Customize Font Family

A clean and readable terminal makes a big difference when you spend hours coding. You’ll trade the font used inside the integrated terminal. Via default, VS Code uses the equivalent font for the reason that editor, on the other hand you’ll be capable to specify a different font by way of together with the following atmosphere:

{
    "terminal.integrated.fontFamily": "Fira Code"
}

Simply trade Fira Code with the determine of your most well liked font. Make certain that the font is installed on your machine for it to artwork as it should be.

If the font is helping ligatures, you’ll be capable to allow them inside the terminal by way of together with:

{
    "terminal.integrated.fontLigatures": true
}

I’ve a couple of favorite fonts you’ll be in a position to check out while you’re on the lookout for tips.


Wrapping Up

The VS Code terminal is a powerful tool that can significantly support your development workflow. Via customizing its settings to fit your preferences, you’ll be capable to create a further atmosphere pleasant and stress-free coding setting.

With a bit of luck, the following advice will let you get necessarily probably the most out of your VS Code terminal.

The post Hidden VS Code Terminal Options Each Developer Must Know appeared first on Hongkiat.

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