From acb5a30c9ae30445e0975f498daac9024a852d6c Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "copilot-swe-agent[bot]" <198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:10:21 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 1/5] Initial plan From cdc5400e3499f00f102da05cacdafb187816b427 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "copilot-swe-agent[bot]" <198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:13:43 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 2/5] Add comprehensive window modes documentation - Created new window-modes.md with detailed explanations - Added comparison table for all three modes - Documented activation methods for each mode - Included use cases and visual comparisons - Added to TOC.yml after Panes section Co-authored-by: mattwojo <7566797+mattwojo@users.noreply.github.com> --- TerminalDocs/TOC.yml | 2 + TerminalDocs/window-modes.md | 216 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 2 files changed, 218 insertions(+) create mode 100644 TerminalDocs/window-modes.md diff --git a/TerminalDocs/TOC.yml b/TerminalDocs/TOC.yml index bf3d8154..33a99919 100644 --- a/TerminalDocs/TOC.yml +++ b/TerminalDocs/TOC.yml @@ -38,6 +38,8 @@ href: selection.md - name: Panes href: panes.md + - name: Window modes + href: window-modes.md - name: Dynamic profiles href: dynamic-profiles.md - name: JSON fragment extensions diff --git a/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md b/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..e990707a --- /dev/null +++ b/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md @@ -0,0 +1,216 @@ +--- +title: Windows Terminal Window Modes +description: Learn about the different window modes available in Windows Terminal including full screen, focus mode, and quake mode. +ms.date: 12/18/2024 +ms.topic: how-to +--- + +# Window modes in Windows Terminal + +Windows Terminal offers three distinct window modes that change how the terminal window appears and behaves. Each mode is designed for specific use cases and workflows. + +## Overview of window modes + +| Mode | Tabs visible | Title bar visible | Window border visible | Default size | Primary use case | +|------|--------------|-------------------|----------------------|--------------|------------------| +| **Full screen** | Optional (configurable) | No | No | Full monitor | Maximum screen space for terminal content | +| **Focus mode** | No | No | No | Current window size | Distraction-free work on terminal content | +| **Quake mode** | No (focus mode enabled) | No | No | Top half of screen | Quick access drop-down terminal | + +## Full screen mode + +Full screen mode expands the terminal window to fill the entire screen, removing the title bar and window border to maximize the space available for your terminal content. + +### Characteristics + +* Window fills the entire monitor +* Title bar and window border are hidden +* Tabs can be shown or hidden (controlled by the [`showTabsInFullscreen`](./customize-settings/appearance.md#show-tabs-in-fullscreen) setting) +* Works with standard window operations (can be moved between monitors, minimized, etc.) + +### How to activate full screen mode + +**Using keyboard shortcut:** +* Press Alt+Enter or F11 (default bindings) + +**Using command palette:** +* Open the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) +* Type "toggle full screen" +* Select the command + +**Using command line:** +```console +wt --fullscreen +``` +or +```console +wt -F +``` + +**From settings (startup launch mode):** + +Set the terminal to always launch in full screen by adding this to your [settings.json file](./install.md#settings-json-file): + +```json +{ + "launchMode": "fullscreen" +} +``` + +### When to use full screen mode + +* When you need maximum screen space for viewing terminal output +* When working with multiple columns of text that need full width +* When presenting or sharing your screen and want to minimize distractions +* When you want to keep tabs visible while maximizing content area + +## Focus mode + +Focus mode hides the title bar and tabs to minimize distractions, allowing you to concentrate solely on your terminal content. The window remains at its current size (not full screen). + +### Characteristics + +* Title bar is hidden +* Tabs are hidden +* Window border is hidden +* Window maintains its current size (doesn't expand to full screen) +* Can be combined with maximized or full screen modes +* You can still work with multiple tabs—they're just hidden from view + +### How to activate focus mode + +**Using keyboard shortcut:** + +Focus mode doesn't have a default keyboard shortcut, but you can add one. Open your [settings.json file](./install.md#settings-json-file) and add this to the `actions` section: + +```json +{ "command": "toggleFocusMode", "keys": "ctrl+f12" } +``` + +(Replace `"ctrl+f12"` with your preferred key combination) + +**Using command palette:** +* Open the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) +* Type "focus mode" +* Select "Toggle focus mode" + +**Using command line:** +```console +wt --focus +``` +or +```console +wt -f +``` + +**From settings (startup launch mode):** + +Set the terminal to always launch in focus mode by adding this to your [settings.json file](./install.md#settings-json-file): + +```json +{ + "launchMode": "focus" +} +``` + +Or combine focus mode with maximized window: + +```json +{ + "launchMode": "maximizedFocus" +} +``` + +### When to use focus mode + +* When you want a distraction-free environment but don't need full screen +* When you're working in a single tab and don't need to see the tab bar +* When you want to maintain your current window size but reduce visual clutter +* When you prefer to switch tabs using keyboard shortcuts rather than clicking + +## Quake mode + +Quake mode is a special window mode that creates a drop-down terminal that slides in from the top of your screen, similar to the console in the video game Quake. It's designed for quick access to a terminal that you can summon and dismiss instantly. + +### Characteristics + +* Window snaps to the top half of the monitor automatically +* Cannot be resized horizontally or from the top (only from the bottom edge) +* Automatically enters focus mode (tabs and title bar are hidden) +* Can have multiple tabs despite being in focus mode +* When minimized, hides from taskbar and Alt+Tab switcher +* Only one quake window can exist at a time +* The quake window is named `_quake` internally +* When using `windowingBehavior` settings, the quake window is treated specially and doesn't count as an "existing window" + +### How to activate quake mode + +**Using keyboard shortcut:** + +Quake mode doesn't have a default global keyboard shortcut, but you can set one. This requires a [global summon](./customize-settings/actions.md#global-commands) binding. Add this to your [settings.json file](./install.md#settings-json-file) in the `keybindings` section: + +```json +{ "keys": "win+`", "id": "Terminal.QuakeMode" } +``` + +> [!WARNING] +> If you enable quake mode and don't set a keyboard shortcut, you may need to use Task Manager to close the quake window when it's minimized. + +**Using command palette:** +* Open the command palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) +* Type "quake" +* Select "Show/hide quake window" + +Note: If you invoke "Show/hide quake window" from a regular (non-quake) terminal window, it will summon or create the quake window but won't affect the current window. + +**Using command line:** +```console +wt -w _quake +``` + +This creates or summons a window specifically named `_quake`, which automatically enters quake mode. + +### When to use quake mode + +* When you need quick, temporary access to a terminal for running commands +* When you want a terminal that's always accessible but doesn't clutter your workspace +* When you frequently switch between your terminal and other applications +* When you prefer keyboard-driven workflows with a persistent terminal session + +## Comparing the modes + +### Visual comparison + +* **Full screen**: Entire monitor is filled with terminal. Tabs may be visible at the top (depending on settings). No title bar or window border. + +* **Focus mode**: Same visual appearance as full screen (no tabs, title bar, or border), but the window is not expanded to full screen—it stays at whatever size it was. + +* **Quake mode**: Looks like focus mode (no tabs, title bar, or border) but automatically sized to the top half of your monitor and can only be resized from the bottom. + +### Mode combinations + +Some modes can be combined: + +* **Full screen + Focus mode**: You can enable focus mode while in full screen. This hides tabs even if `showTabsInFullscreen` is set to true. + +* **Maximized + Focus mode**: Use the `"maximizedFocus"` launch mode to start with a maximized window in focus mode. + +* **Quake mode**: Always includes focus mode; this cannot be disabled. + +### Switching between modes + +You can toggle between modes dynamically: + +* Toggle full screen on/off without affecting focus mode +* Toggle focus mode on/off without affecting full screen +* Quake mode is a special window; you can toggle it to appear/disappear but it always maintains its quake characteristics + +## Additional resources + +* [Actions: Toggle full screen](./customize-settings/actions.md#toggle-full-screen) +* [Actions: Toggle focus mode](./customize-settings/actions.md#toggle-focus-mode) +* [Actions: Quake mode](./customize-settings/actions.md#open-the-quake-mode-window) +* [Startup settings: Launch mode](./customize-settings/startup.md#launch-mode) +* [Command line arguments](./command-line-arguments.md) +* [Tips and tricks: Focus mode](./tips-and-tricks.md#focus-mode) +* [Tips and tricks: Quake mode](./tips-and-tricks.md#quake-mode) From d8e01cdfc5d07194bc4a88bc5be764155dd994aa Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "copilot-swe-agent[bot]" <198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:17:52 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 3/5] Fix keybindings documentation consistency - Changed focus mode keybinding to use correct format - Use 'keybindings array' terminology consistently - Reference built-in action IDs instead of creating new actions Co-authored-by: mattwojo <7566797+mattwojo@users.noreply.github.com> --- TerminalDocs/window-modes.md | 6 +++--- 1 file changed, 3 insertions(+), 3 deletions(-) diff --git a/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md b/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md index e990707a..b46d34a1 100644 --- a/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md +++ b/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md @@ -81,10 +81,10 @@ Focus mode hides the title bar and tabs to minimize distractions, allowing you t **Using keyboard shortcut:** -Focus mode doesn't have a default keyboard shortcut, but you can add one. Open your [settings.json file](./install.md#settings-json-file) and add this to the `actions` section: +Focus mode doesn't have a default keyboard shortcut, but you can add one. Open your [settings.json file](./install.md#settings-json-file) and add this to the `keybindings` array: ```json -{ "command": "toggleFocusMode", "keys": "ctrl+f12" } +{ "keys": "ctrl+f12", "id": "Terminal.ToggleFocusMode" } ``` (Replace `"ctrl+f12"` with your preferred key combination) @@ -147,7 +147,7 @@ Quake mode is a special window mode that creates a drop-down terminal that slide **Using keyboard shortcut:** -Quake mode doesn't have a default global keyboard shortcut, but you can set one. This requires a [global summon](./customize-settings/actions.md#global-commands) binding. Add this to your [settings.json file](./install.md#settings-json-file) in the `keybindings` section: +Quake mode doesn't have a default global keyboard shortcut, but you can set one. This requires a [global summon](./customize-settings/actions.md#global-commands) binding. Add this to your [settings.json file](./install.md#settings-json-file) in the `keybindings` array: ```json { "keys": "win+`", "id": "Terminal.QuakeMode" } From a37159bdf635db51e4f0fb1c566d5ec51f1a81cf Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "copilot-swe-agent[bot]" <198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:21:13 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 4/5] Use consistent action format across documentation - Use combined command+keys format for consistency with tips-and-tricks.md - Provide both globalSummon and quakeMode shorthand examples - Clarify that bindings go in actions array Co-authored-by: mattwojo <7566797+mattwojo@users.noreply.github.com> --- TerminalDocs/window-modes.md | 16 ++++++++++++---- 1 file changed, 12 insertions(+), 4 deletions(-) diff --git a/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md b/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md index b46d34a1..0310da93 100644 --- a/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md +++ b/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md @@ -81,10 +81,10 @@ Focus mode hides the title bar and tabs to minimize distractions, allowing you t **Using keyboard shortcut:** -Focus mode doesn't have a default keyboard shortcut, but you can add one. Open your [settings.json file](./install.md#settings-json-file) and add this to the `keybindings` array: +Focus mode doesn't have a default keyboard shortcut, but you can add one. Open your [settings.json file](./install.md#settings-json-file) and add this to the `actions` array: ```json -{ "keys": "ctrl+f12", "id": "Terminal.ToggleFocusMode" } +{ "command": "toggleFocusMode", "keys": "ctrl+f12" } ``` (Replace `"ctrl+f12"` with your preferred key combination) @@ -147,12 +147,20 @@ Quake mode is a special window mode that creates a drop-down terminal that slide **Using keyboard shortcut:** -Quake mode doesn't have a default global keyboard shortcut, but you can set one. This requires a [global summon](./customize-settings/actions.md#global-commands) binding. Add this to your [settings.json file](./install.md#settings-json-file) in the `keybindings` array: +Quake mode doesn't have a default global keyboard shortcut, but you can set one. This requires a [global summon](./customize-settings/actions.md#global-commands) binding. Add this to your [settings.json file](./install.md#settings-json-file) in the `actions` array: ```json -{ "keys": "win+`", "id": "Terminal.QuakeMode" } +{ "command": { "action": "globalSummon", "name": "_quake" }, "keys": "win+`" } ``` +Or use the built-in quake mode shorthand: + +```json +{ "command": "quakeMode", "keys": "win+`" } +``` + +(Replace `"win+\`"` with your preferred key combination) + > [!WARNING] > If you enable quake mode and don't set a keyboard shortcut, you may need to use Task Manager to close the quake window when it's minimized. From 0ad07148fed0817ae1270fd5798aca3a30af61ee Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "copilot-swe-agent[bot]" <198982749+Copilot@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Thu, 18 Dec 2025 20:22:12 +0000 Subject: [PATCH 5/5] Fix escaped backtick character Co-authored-by: mattwojo <7566797+mattwojo@users.noreply.github.com> --- TerminalDocs/window-modes.md | 2 +- 1 file changed, 1 insertion(+), 1 deletion(-) diff --git a/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md b/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md index 0310da93..f5fb52ef 100644 --- a/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md +++ b/TerminalDocs/window-modes.md @@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ Or use the built-in quake mode shorthand: { "command": "quakeMode", "keys": "win+`" } ``` -(Replace `"win+\`"` with your preferred key combination) +(Replace `"win+`"` with your preferred key combination) > [!WARNING] > If you enable quake mode and don't set a keyboard shortcut, you may need to use Task Manager to close the quake window when it's minimized.