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If you’re a Windows user who has always been slightly envious of the power and flexibility of the MacOS terminal, then you’re in luck. Today, I’m going to show you how to unleash the power of the command line on Windows, so you can access a MacOS-like terminal and feel like a UNIX wizard.
First of all, let’s address the elephant in the room – PowerShell. Windows users have typically relied on PowerShell for their command line needs, but let’s be real – it’s not quite as elegant or user-friendly as the MacOS terminal. Plus, it lacks some of the powerful UNIX utilities that make the MacOS terminal so great. But fear not, my Windows-using friends, because we’re going to level the playing field and make your command line experience as smooth and powerful as a MacOS user.
The first step in harnessing the power of a MacOS-like terminal on Windows is to install a terminal emulator that can mimic the style and functionality of the MacOS terminal. One fantastic option is Windows Terminal, which is available for free from the Microsoft Store. Windows Terminal not only provides a sleek and stylish interface, but it also supports multiple tabs and panes, customization options, and a variety of shells such as PowerShell, Command Prompt, and even WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux). This means that you can enjoy the best of both worlds – the familiar Windows environment and the power of a more Unix-like shell.
Once you have Windows Terminal installed, the next step is to choose a shell that closely resembles the MacOS terminal. While PowerShell is the default shell on Windows, we can easily install and use other shells such as Bash, Zsh, or Fish to mimic the MacOS terminal experience. These shells provide a more UNIX-like environment with a plethora of powerful commands and utilities that can make your command line experience much more enjoyable.
Let’s start with Bash, which is the default shell on most UNIX-based systems, including MacOS. To install Bash on Windows, you can use the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL), which allows you to run a Linux distribution directly on top of Windows. With WSL installed, you can access the Ubuntu terminal and enjoy all the capabilities of a full Linux command line environment. This means you can use familiar commands like ls, grep, and sed, and even run scripts and programs that are designed for a UNIX environment.
If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous and want to explore a more modern and customizable shell, then Zsh might be the perfect fit for you. Zsh is highly configurable and comes with a wide array of plugins and themes that can enhance your command line experience. To install Zsh on Windows, you can use a package manager like Cygwin or Babun, or you can use WSL to install a Linux distribution that comes with Zsh pre-installed. Once you have Zsh up and running, you can take advantage of features like auto-completion, spell checking, and advanced customization options that will make your terminal look and behave just like the MacOS terminal.
And if you’re really looking to stand out from the crowd and impress your friends with a unique and feature-rich shell, then Fish might be the perfect choice for you. Fish is known for its powerful auto-suggestions, syntax highlighting, and easy-to-use scripting language that can make your command line experience feel more modern and user-friendly. To install Fish on Windows, you can use a package manager like Cygwin or Babun, or you can use WSL to install a Linux distribution that comes with Fish pre-installed. Once you have Fish set up, you can enjoy its unique features and customize your prompt to your heart’s content.
But wait, there’s more! One of the great things about using a terminal emulator like Windows Terminal is that you can easily switch between different shells and customize your environment to suit your needs. This means that you can have the best of both worlds – the power and flexibility of a Unix-like shell, and the familiarity and compatibility of the Windows environment.
So, there you have it – with a little bit of creativity and some ingenuity, you can unleash the power of command line on Windows and access a MacOS-like terminal that will make you feel like a true UNIX wizard. So go ahead, install Windows Terminal, choose your favorite shell, and start exploring all the amazing things you can do with the command line. Who knows, you might just become the envy of all your MacOS-using friends!
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