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How to Open Integrated Terminal Window in Visual Studio Code Editor

As a software developer and tech writer who uses Visual Studio Code daily, I often need to access the terminal to run various commands like git, npm, python, etc. Fortunately, VS Code has an integrated terminal that makes this very convenient without having to switch windows or apps. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll explain multiple methods to open the integrated terminal in VS Code based on my years of experience using this versatile code editor.

What is the VS Code Integrated Terminal

The integrated terminal in Visual Studio Code allows you to access the command line interface (CLI) within the code editor. This means you can run shell commands, build tools, git commands, etc. right inside VS Code instead of having to switch to a separate terminal app.

Some key benefits of using the integrated terminal include:

  • Convenience: No need to switch apps or windows to access the terminal
  • Context awareness: The working directory is automatically set to your open workspace folder
  • Theme integration: Terminal theme matches your VS Code theme for consistency
  • Customization: Fully customizable terminal settings like shell, fonts, scrollback, etc.

Overall, the integrated terminal makes your workflow much faster and more efficient when coding in VS Code.

Opening the Terminal with the Keyboard

The fastest way to open a new terminal window is to use the keyboard shortcut:

Linux and Windows: Ctrl + `
MacOS: Command + `

The backtick key is usually located above Tab on US keyboards.

This will immediately open a terminal panel at the bottom of the code editor window. The terminal will use your default shell and start in the context of your open VS Code workspace folder by default.

Opening Terminal from the Top Menu

You can also access the integrated terminal from the top Menu bar:

  1. Click View > Terminal
  2. This opens a new terminal panel at the bottom, same as the keyboard shortcut

Opening Terminal from the Side Bar

Another option is to open a terminal tab from the Activity Bar on the side:

  1. Click the Activity Bar icon that looks like a >_ symbol
  2. Click the + button
  3. Select Terminal

This creates a new terminal tab in the panel area. You can split the editor to show both code and terminal side by side this way.

Reopening Previously Opened Terminals

If you already have an integrated terminal open, you can quickly reopen it or open multiple terminals:

  • Linux and Windows: Ctrl + Shift + `
  • MacOS: Command + Shift + `

This cycles through any previously opened terminals rather than creating a new one. Very handy for quickly switching between different shells, folders, etc.

Opening New Terminals from File Explorer

You can also launch new terminals from the File Explorer side bar:

  1. Expand the side bar Explorer
  2. Right click on any folder
  3. Select Open in Integrated Terminal

This creates a terminal starting in that folder’s context. Great for quickly accessing terminals for specific projects, directories, etc.

Configuring the Terminal Shell

By default, VS Code uses your OS’s default shell like bash, zsh, command prompt, etc.

You can customize which shell is launched:

  1. Go to File > Preferences > Settings
  2. Search for terminal.integrated.shell.*
  3. Set the path to your desired shell executable

For example, you may want to launch git bash on Windows or use zsh instead of bash on Linux/MacOS.

Useful Terminal Commands

Here are some of the most common things you’ll use the VS Code terminal for:

  • git – Version control like commit, push, pull, etc.
  • npm – Installing/managing JavaScript packages
  • python – Running Python scripts
  • make – Running build automation tools
  • java – Compiling or running Java code
  • go – Building Go programs

And many more – the terminal possibilities are endless!

Customizing and Enhancing the Terminal

The integrated terminal is very customizable:

  • Change font, size, color theme
  • Set background image/blur for aesthetics
  • Increase scrollback buffer size
  • Custom keybindings for actions like new terminal
  • Install extensions for extra functionality

Check out the settings under File > Preferences > Settings and search for terminal. Tons of options to tweak!

Some great terminal extensions include Terminal Here, Better Comments, Code Runner, etc.

Conclusion

The Visual Studio Code integrated terminal provides incredible convenience and efficiency thanks to its deep integration with the editor. Whether you need to run some quick command line tools or have a terminal open for long coding or debugging sessions, the steps in this guide show you several quick ways to open a terminal exactly when you need it. Customizing the shell, appearance, keybindings, and extensions can level up your terminal game even more.

The next time you’re coding and need access to the command line, use one of these handy methods to open an integrated terminal in VS Code rather than reaching for a separate app. It will boost your productivity and streamline your workflow!

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