How to create or duplicate profiles on Windows Terminal

Windows Terminal makes it easier to create or duplicate new profiles for command-line tools using the Settings UI. Although the Windows Terminal already comes with profiles for all the most common applications (such as Command Prompt and PowerShell), the ability to create new profiles allows you to create additional experiences with custom color schemes, font, and backgrounds for each application you use.

The options are available starting with Windows Terminal version 1.9. If you have an older version, you can still create profiles, but you won’t have the option to duplicate. Of course, you can always accomplish the same tasks by modifying the Settings.json file.

In this guide, you will learn the steps to create or duplicate Windows Terminal profiles on Windows 10.

• Create new profile on Windows Terminal via Settings UI
• Duplicate profile on Windows Terminal via Settings UI
• Create new profile on Windows Terminal via JSON file
• Duplicate profile on Windows Terminal via JSON file

Create new profile on Windows Terminal via Settings UI

To create a new Windows Terminal profile for a command-line tool, use these steps:

1. Open Windows Terminal.

2. Click the menu (down-arrow) button and select the Settings option.

3. Click on Add a new profile.

4. Click the New empty profile button.

   

5. Click the General tab.

6. In the “Name” setting, confirm a name for the profile.

   

7. In the “Command line” setting, specify the command tool you want to use with the new profile (such as Command Prompt or PowerShell).

   Quick tip: You can click the Browse button to select the executable.

8. (Optional) Clear the Use parent process directory option, and specify a custom starting directory – for example, “C:”.

9. In the “Icon” setting, specify an icon file to identify the profile.

10. In the “Tab title” setting, specify the title you want for the tab when the application is running.

11. Click the Save button.

12. (Optional) Click the Appearance tab.

13. Customize the color scheme, font style and size, cursor, image background, transparency, and more.

    

14. Click the Save button.

15. (Optional) Click the Advanced tab.

16. Customize the history size, text antialiasing, and more.

17. Click the Save button.

Once you complete the steps, you can launch the tool with custom settings and colors.

Duplicate profile on Windows Terminal via Settings UI

The app makes it even easier to create additional profiles on existing ones with the duplicate option.

To duplicate a Windows Terminal profile, use these steps:

1. Open Windows Terminal.

2. Click the menu (down-arrow) button and select the Settings option.

3. Click on Add a new profile.

4. Under the “Duplicate a profile” section, select the profile you want to base the new profile.

5. Click the Duplicate button.

   

6. Click the General tab.

7. Customize the new Windows Terminal profile with the new settings (as necessary).

   

8. (Optional) Click the Appearance tab.

9. Customize the color scheme, font style and size, cursor, image background, transparency, and more.

   

10. Click the Save button.

11. (Optional) Click the Advanced tab.

12. Customize the history size, text antialiasing, and more.

13. Click the Save button.

After you complete the steps, the new profile will be created, similar to using the empty option.

Create new profile on Windows Terminal via JSON file

To create a new Terminal profile editing the JSON file, use these steps:

1. Open Windows Terminal.

2. Click the menu (down-arrow) button and select the Settings option.

3. Click on Open JSON file.

4. In the “profiles” section, inside the list bracket, add the following code to create a new Windows Terminal profile:

   {
    "colorScheme": "Campbell Powershell",
    "commandline": "C:\\Windows\\System32\\diskpart.exe",
    "icon": "C:\\Windows\\System32\\wpcatltoast.png",
    "name": "Disk Part",
    "tabTitle": "DiskPart"
   }

   This example creates a new profile called “DiskPart” that launches the disk partition tool with a custom color scheme and tab title. Since profiles have custom options, you need to update the code with the settings you want. If you cannot figure it out, it best to use the Settings UI to complete the task.

   

   Quick tip: If you have more than one line of code inside the bracket, make sure all the lines end with a comma (,) except for the last line. Otherwise, the settings may not save correctly.

5. Use the Ctrl + S keyboard shortcut to save the file.

Once you complete the steps, the JSON file will save, and the new profile in the main menu.

Duplicate profile on Windows Terminal via JSON file

To duplicate a terminal profile via the Settings.json file, use these steps:

1. Open Windows Terminal.

2. Click the menu (down-arrow) button and select the Settings option.

3. Click on Open JSON file.

4. In the “profiles” section, select and copy the code for the profile you want to duplicate inside the “list” bracket.

   

5. Paste the code in the position you want to appear in the menu.

6. Modify the code to create the new profile as necessary before saving.

   

7. Use the Ctrl + S keyboard shortcut to save the file.

After you complete the steps, the profile will be duplicated on Windows Terminal.