Ask Dave Taylor
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • Videos
  • Most Popular
  • Top Categories
  • Books
  • About Dave
  • Ask Me
  • > Donate <
  • Home
  • Linux Help
  • How do I launch and customize “Terminal” in Ubuntu Linux?

How do I launch and customize “Terminal” in Ubuntu Linux?

February 13, 2021 / Dave Taylor / Linux Help / No Comments

I’m taking a Linux basics class and I’m stuck on one of the most basic tasks: How do I find and launch the Terminal program in Linux? My teacher says it should be on the favorites bar, but I don’t have that program icon shown.

Linux is actually surprisingly similar to both the MacOS and Windows user experience, once you start digging into it. The Taskbar might be in a funny location, and key controls can seem out of place when tucked into the top right corner, but overall once you start poking around, I predict you’ll get comfortable quickly.

But having said that, Ubuntu Linux is a bit of a mashup of different interface ideas from different operating systems too, so it can be a bit of a learning experience to know what’s where. So I’ll help out, both showing where Terminal is hiding, how to add it – and keep it – on your Favorites bar, and even how to customize it so the font size and color scheme works for you.

To start, as with any operating system, make sure you’ll up to date with the very latest version of Ubuntu. This is easily done by forcing a system update, as I’ve explained here: How to Force An Ubuntu Linux System Update. Now log in and you’ll undoubtedly see something on the lower left corner of your screen like this:

ubuntu linux - apps shortcut

That’s a concept borrowed from Android: The shortcut that gets you to the app applications view. A click and this will now appear on your computer screen:

ubuntu linux - all apps

Actually, I scrolled down to get to this view. Key is to have “Utilities” show up on the lower row.

HOW TO LAUNCH TERMINAL IN UBUNTU LINUX

Like a number of other system utilities, the Terminal application is found in the “Utilities” folder. Click on it and you’ll move into that folder, just as you would on a Windows PC…

ubuntu linux - apps > utilities "terminal"

Ah, finally, we have found the Terminal application. Last one on the last row. A click to launch it and you’ll have your Terminal, ready for input:

ubuntu linux - terminal with commands typed in

More importantly, notice on the left side that the Terminal program is in the application bar, the Ubuntu Taskbar.

KEEP AN APPLICATION IN THE UBUNTU LINUX FAVORITES BAR

To have the Terminal program always be accessible from your Favorites bar, just right click (or click and hold) on the icon itself. After a few moments a menu pops up:

ubuntu linux - add terminal to favorites bar app program

As highlighted, choose “Add to Favorites“. Nice. Now you can always get to the Terminal by clicking on its icon on the Favorites bar. Much easier than digging through Apps and Utilities for the program!

HOW TO CUSTOMIZE TERMINAL IN UBUNTU LINUX

Which brings us to the second topic: how do you change the font and color scheme of your Ubuntu Terminal? Turns out that’s a bit confusing, actually. Start by clicking on the three horizontal line icon on the top bar of the Terminal window. A menu pops up, as shown:

ubuntu linux - terminal preferences settings

As highlighted, choose “Preferences“. Here’s where it’s a bit confusing, though, because the subsequent settings are for the Terminal program itself, not any of the windows within Terminal:

ubuntu linux - terminal app - settings preferences

So choose “Light” as your theme variant and it will not actually change the color of your Terminal or make the window any easier to read as you proceed.

To change the color scheme of the actual interactive Terminal window you want to use, you’ll need to update the “Profile”, and since you probably have the same default setup I do, your only profile is called “Unnamed”. In fact, you can see it on the lower left on the above screen shot.

Click on “Unnamed” and be delighted: This is where all the action happens:

ubuntu linux - terminal app - unnamed profile settings -

Most of these apply to any new window you’d open but it’s a great place to get everything set up as you prefer. I like an 80×30 window (that’s 80 characters wide by 30 lines tall) which is easy to change. Hate the beep when you make a mistake? You can disable “Terminal bell” at the very bottom.

To change your font size or style, click to check “Custom font” then click on the current font name shown. In this case it’s “Monospace Regular 12”. A font window appears:

ubuntu linux - terminal app - unnamed profile settings - fonts

I recommend that you do not change the typeface, just adjust its size with the slider along the bottom. Choosing a non-monospace typeface for a Terminal window can definitely have a weird result. But going a size or two bigger? That’s just smart.

Click on the green “Select” button when you’re ready, then choose “Colors” from along the top category options on the Unnamed profile settings window (as shown two images earlier). Now the most colorful spot of the entire program appears:

ubuntu linux - terminal app - unnamed profile settings - colors theme settings

You can choose a color palette in the lower area, choose specific colors, pick a built-in color scheme (my current choice is “Black on light yellow”) or even pick specific colors if you really love purple and hate grey. As you try these changes, notice that the currently open Terminal window will show them too, so it’s a good place to test out these settings.

Done? Great. Close this window. Now close the Terminal app entirely and relaunch it by clicking on the Terminal app icon that’s now permanently in the Favorites bar. Voila!

ubuntu linux - terminal app - unnamed profile settings - color, font, size

As you can see by comparing the size of the icons in the Favorites bar versus the font size, this new Terminal window not only has a different color scheme, but bigger type too. All in all, not too difficult, right?

Pro Tip: I’ve been writing about Linux since the dawn of the operating system, and Unix before that. Please check out my extensive Linux help area for lots of additional tutorial content while you’re visiting. Thanks!

Let’s Stay In Touch!

Never miss a single article, review or tutorial here on AskDaveTaylor, sign up for my fun weekly newsletter!
Name: 
Your email address:*
Please enter all required fields
Correct invalid entries
No spam, ever. Promise. Powered by FeedBlitz
Please choose a color:
Starbucks coffee cup I do have a lot to say, and questions of my own for that matter, but first I'd like to say thank you, Dave, for all your helpful information by buying you a cup of coffee!
find terminal, linux terminal app, ubuntu linux terminal

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Search

Recent Posts

  • How Can I Prevent Remote Access to my Windows PC?
  • The Easy Way to Add Contacts to my New Android Phone?
  • How Can I Hide or Report An Offensive Advert on Facebook?
  • Switch “Paste” & “Paste and Match Style” Keyboard Shortcuts on MacOS?
  • How Can I Easily Create a QR Code For My Web Page?

On Our YouTube Channel

AUKEY Omnia 100W + Minima 20W Power Chargers -- DEMO & REVIEW

Roborock S6 MaxV Robot Vacuum Cleaner -- DEMO & REVIEW

Categories

  • AdSense, AdWords, and PPC Help (106)
  • Amazon Echo & Kindle Help (79)
  • Amazon, eBay, and Online Shopping Help, (157)
  • Android Help (160)
  • Apple Watch Help (49)
  • Articles, Tutorials, and Reviews (327)
  • Business Advice (192)
  • Computer & Internet Basics (720)
  • d) None of the Above (160)
  • Facebook Help (365)
  • Google, Chrome & Gmail Help (157)
  • HTML & Web Page Design (244)
  • Instagram Help (44)
  • iPad Help (137)
  • iPhone & iOS Help (571)
  • iPod & MP3 Player Help (173)
  • LinkedIn Help (79)
  • Linux Help (149)
  • Linux Shell Script Programming (86)
  • Mac & MacOS Help (833)
  • Most Popular (10)
  • Outlook & Office 365 Help (10)
  • PayPal Help (68)
  • Pinterest Help (53)
  • Reddit Help (12)
  • SEO & Marketing (80)
  • Spam, Scams & Security (84)
  • Trade Show News & Updates (23)
  • Twitter Help (212)
  • Video Game Tips (66)
  • Web Site Traffic Tips (62)
  • Windows 10 Help (831)
  • Wordpress Help (201)
  • Writing and Publishing (72)
  • YouTube Help (43)
  • YouTube Video Reviews (159)
  • Zoom, Skype & Video Chat Help (42)

Archives

Social Connections:

Ask Dave Taylor


Follow Me on Pinterest
Follow me on Twitter
Follow me on LinkedIn
Follow me on Instagram


AskDaveTaylor on Facebook



microsoft insider mvp


This web site is for the purpose of disseminating information for educational purposes, free of charge, for the benefit of all visitors. We take great care to provide quality information. However, we do not guarantee, and accept no legal liability whatsoever arising from or connected to, the accuracy, reliability, currency or completeness of any material contained on this site or on any linked site. Further, please note that by submitting a question or comment you're agreeing to our terms of service, which are: you relinquish any subsequent rights of ownership to your material by submitting it on this site. Our lawyer says "Thanks for your cooperation."
© 2020 by Dave Taylor. "Ask Dave Taylor®" is a registered trademark of Intuitive Systems, LLC.
Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions - Accessibility Policy