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Feature Request: Add retro Apple II cursor style #21597

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opened 2026-01-31 07:49:10 +00:00 by claunia · 0 comments
claunia commented 2026-01-31 07:49:10 +00:00
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Originally created by @PhMajerus on GitHub (Apr 29, 2024).

Description of the new feature/enhancement

Considering Terminal has a Retro terminal effects option, I suspect some people like some nostalgia in their command line experience.
The Cursor shape option has a Vintage style that seems to be based on the original IBM PC and MS-DOS.
Most older personal computers didn't use that style, the Filled box was the most common, but there is one outsider that is still missing in Terminal.

The Apple II used the checkerboard stored in the 0x7F position (delete) of its character set as its cursor.
It is an uncommon checkerboard symbol that has the same size as a mathematical symbol (such as +).
image

It would be nice to have that as an option, for old times' sake.

It wouldn't turn into a huge set of weird legacy cursors to support, because as far as I can tell, only the Tandy/RadioShack is another uncommon system, with something that looks like a top rectangle on the cell below. But I don't know that system enough to be sure.
All the other classic systems I tested use a full block: Commodore PET, C64 and later, Amstrad CPC, MSX, MSX2, MSX2+.

Proposed technical implementation details (optional)

I guess Terminal uses characters as cursors, so we really just need that character and an option in the settings to select it.

It just so happens that Cascadia 2404.23 contains the character we need, it is U+2427 Symbol for delete square checker board form (symbol for delete in the Apple II character set) .

Another solution could be to allow any character to be used with a "custom" cursor that, when selected, also provides a field to specify the character to be used. This would be more flexible but less easy as users would need to know which character to use instead of discovering it in the list of cursors.

image

Can you consider adding that as a cursor option for us old-timers?

Originally created by @PhMajerus on GitHub (Apr 29, 2024). # Description of the new feature/enhancement Considering Terminal has a _Retro terminal effects_ option, I suspect some people like some nostalgia in their command line experience. The _Cursor shape_ option has a `Vintage ` style that seems to be based on the original IBM PC and MS-DOS. Most older personal computers didn't use that style, the `Filled box` was the most common, but there is one outsider that is still missing in Terminal. The Apple II used the checkerboard stored in the `0x7F` position (_delete_) of its character set as its cursor. It is an uncommon checkerboard symbol that has the same size as a mathematical symbol (such as `+`). ![image](https://github.com/microsoft/terminal/assets/25664275/f41bbe13-7696-4491-bafd-a1fa04953fa8) It would be nice to have that as an option, for old times' sake. It wouldn't turn into a huge set of weird legacy cursors to support, because as far as I can tell, only the Tandy/RadioShack is another uncommon system, with something that looks like a top rectangle on the cell below. But I don't know that system enough to be sure. All the other classic systems I tested use a full block: Commodore PET, C64 and later, Amstrad CPC, MSX, MSX2, MSX2+. # Proposed technical implementation details (optional) I guess Terminal uses characters as cursors, so we really just need that character and an option in the settings to select it. It just so happens that Cascadia 2404.23 contains the character we need, it is `U+2427` _Symbol for delete square checker board form (symbol for delete in the Apple II character set)_ . Another solution could be to allow any character to be used with a "custom" cursor that, when selected, also provides a field to specify the character to be used. This would be more flexible but less easy as users would need to know which character to use instead of discovering it in the list of cursors. ![image](https://github.com/microsoft/terminal/assets/25664275/eda4c0f7-b302-47d6-bfc9-0ea873e8ae71) Can you consider adding that as a cursor option for us old-timers?
claunia added the Issue-FeatureArea-RenderingNeeds-Tag-FixProduct-Terminal labels 2026-01-31 07:49:10 +00:00
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Reference: starred/terminal#21597
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