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Feature Request: Add Linux Support for Windows Terminal (Starting with Ubuntu and Fedora) #23051

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opened 2026-01-31 08:30:58 +00:00 by claunia · 1 comment
claunia commented 2026-01-31 08:30:58 +00:00
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Originally created by @matrixjuan748 on GitHub (Mar 23, 2025).

Description of the new feature

While Windows Terminal has become a premier terminal application on Windows, competing strongly with alternatives like Alacritty and Konsole, Linux users currently lack access to this modern terminal experience. This creates a missed opportunity to establish Windows Terminal as a cross-platform standard for developers and power users, particularly those who work across Windows and Linux environments.

Proposed technical implementation details

Port Windows Terminal to Linux distributions, beginning with first-class support for:

  1. Ubuntu (using .deb packages)
  2. Fedora (using .rpm packages)

Subsequent phases could expand support to other major distributions like openSUSE, Arch Linux etc.

Implementation Steps

  1. Platform Abstraction Layer

    • Create a Linux implementation of terminal I/O subsystems
    • Implement Linux-native font/text rendering
    • Adapt Windows-specific APIs to Linux equivalents

  2. Packaging Infrastructure

    • Set up Debian package generation pipeline
    • Create RPM spec files for Fedora
    • Handle distribution-specific dependencies

  3. Feature Parity

    • Implement core features (tabs, panes, settings UI)
    • Support Linux authentication mechanisms
    • Adapt to Linux environment variables and shell conventions

  4. Cross-Distribution Expansion

    • Add support for Snap/Flatpak universal packages
    • Build test infrastructure for multiple distros
    • Engage community maintainers for target distributions

Why This Matters

  1. Market Position: Compete directly with Linux-native terminals while leveraging WT's existing feature superiority
  2. Developer Experience: Serve the growing population of Windows/Linux dual users (WSL developers, cross-platform engineers)
  3. Technical Alignment: Microsoft's increasing Linux investments (WSL, VS Code, .NET cross-platform) make this a natural progression

Additional Context

  • Could leverage existing cross-platform frameworks like MAUI
  • Potential to share core components with DevHome Linux implementations
Originally created by @matrixjuan748 on GitHub (Mar 23, 2025). ### Description of the new feature While Windows Terminal has become a premier terminal application on Windows, competing strongly with alternatives like Alacritty and Konsole, Linux users currently lack access to this modern terminal experience. This creates a missed opportunity to establish Windows Terminal as a cross-platform standard for developers and power users, particularly those who work across Windows and Linux environments. ### Proposed technical implementation details Port Windows Terminal to Linux distributions, beginning with first-class support for: 1. **Ubuntu** (using .deb packages) 2. **Fedora** (using .rpm packages) Subsequent phases could expand support to other major distributions like openSUSE, Arch Linux etc. ### Implementation Steps 1. **Platform Abstraction Layer** - Create a Linux implementation of terminal I/O subsystems - Implement Linux-native font/text rendering - Adapt Windows-specific APIs to Linux equivalents 2. **Packaging Infrastructure** - Set up Debian package generation pipeline - Create RPM spec files for Fedora - Handle distribution-specific dependencies 3. **Feature Parity** - Implement core features (tabs, panes, settings UI) - Support Linux authentication mechanisms - Adapt to Linux environment variables and shell conventions 4. **Cross-Distribution Expansion** - Add support for Snap/Flatpak universal packages - Build test infrastructure for multiple distros - Engage community maintainers for target distributions ### Why This Matters 1. **Market Position**: Compete directly with Linux-native terminals while leveraging WT's existing feature superiority 2. **Developer Experience**: Serve the growing population of Windows/Linux dual users (WSL developers, cross-platform engineers) 3. **Technical Alignment**: Microsoft's increasing Linux investments (WSL, VS Code, .NET cross-platform) make this a natural progression ### Additional Context - Could leverage existing cross-platform frameworks like MAUI - Potential to share core components with [DevHome](https://github.com/microsoft/devhome) Linux implementations
claunia added the Issue-FeatureNeeds-TriageNeeds-Tag-Fix labels 2026-01-31 08:30:58 +00:00
claunia commented 2026-01-31 08:30:59 +00:00
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@DHowett commented on GitHub (Mar 24, 2025):

Thanks for the request! There are many very good terminal emulators on Linux today, and it's not a place we're likely to invest any time soon. I appreciate your excitement however!

@DHowett commented on GitHub (Mar 24, 2025): Thanks for the request! There are many very good terminal emulators on Linux today, and it's not a place we're likely to invest any time soon. I appreciate your excitement however!
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Reference: starred/terminal#23051
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