How to Open a Terminal in VS Code: Complete Guide to vscode open terminal

Press Ctrl+Shift+ (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+ (macOS) to instantly open a new integrated terminal, or invoke the workbench.action.terminal.new command ID programmatically.

The vscode open terminal functionality provides a built-in shell environment directly within the editor, eliminating the need to switch between applications. This guide examines the correct implementation methods based on the actual source code in the microsoft/vscode repository, covering both user interface shortcuts and extension API patterns.

Understanding the vscode open terminal Architecture

The integrated terminal system centers on the command ID workbench.action.terminal.new, registered in src/vs/workbench/contrib/terminal/browser/terminalActions.ts (lines 1214-1224). When triggered, this command invokes the ITerminalService.createTerminal method defined in src/vs/workbench/contrib/terminal/common/terminal.ts, which handles the actual shell process spawning based on your default terminal profile.

User Interface Methods for vscode open terminal

Keyboard Shortcuts

The fastest way to perform a vscode open terminal action uses the default key binding:

• Windows/Linux: Press Ctrl+Shift+`
• macOS: Press Cmd+Shift+`

This shortcut directly dispatches the workbench.action.terminal.new command registered in terminalActions.ts.

Command Palette

Open the Command Palette with Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux) or Cmd+Shift+P (macOS), then type "Terminal: New Terminal". Selecting this entry executes the same workbench.action.terminal.new command ID, creating a terminal instance using your default profile.

Menu and UI Buttons

Navigate to Terminal → New Terminal in the application menu, or click the + icon in the Terminal panel. These UI elements are wired through src/vs/workbench/contrib/terminal/browser/terminalMenus.ts, which binds the menu items to the workbench.action.terminal.new command.

Programmatic vscode open terminal for Extensions

Using the Extension API

Extensions can create terminals using the vscode.window.createTerminal() method, exposed through src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostExtensionApi.ts. This returns a Terminal object that you can control programmatically.

import * as vscode from 'vscode';

function openTerminal() {
    // Create terminal with default profile
    const terminal = vscode.window.createTerminal({
        name: 'Custom Terminal',
        cwd: vscode.workspace.workspaceFolders?.[0].uri.fsPath
    });
    
    // Show the terminal panel
    terminal.show();
}

Executing the Built-in Command

For simple terminal creation without needing a handle to the object, execute the internal command directly:

await vscode.commands.executeCommand('workbench.action.terminal.new');

This bypasses the extension API wrapper and triggers the registration in terminalActions.ts directly.

Opening in the Editor Area

To open a terminal as a tab in the editor area rather than the bottom panel, specify the location:

const terminal = vscode.window.createTerminal({
    name: 'Editor Terminal',
    location: { viewColumn: vscode.ViewColumn.Beside }
});
terminal.show();

This corresponds to the TerminalLocation.Editor handling in the internal terminal service.

Sending Commands to the Terminal

Once opened, you can programmatically send shell commands:

const terminal = vscode.window.createTerminal();
terminal.show();
terminal.sendText('npm install', true);

The sendText method forwards input to the underlying PTY, matching the behavior of the Run Selected Text action.

Key Implementation Files

The vscode open terminal functionality is distributed across these critical source files in the microsoft/vscode repository:

• src/vs/workbench/contrib/terminal/browser/terminalActions.ts – Registers the workbench.action.terminal.new command and handles UI action bindings.
• src/vs/workbench/contrib/terminal/common/terminal.ts – Defines the ITerminalService interface and TerminalCommandId enum.
• src/vs/workbench/contrib/terminal/browser/terminalMenus.ts – Wires terminal commands to menu items and context menus.
• src/vs/platform/terminal/common/terminalService.ts – Low-level service that spawns shell processes based on selected profiles.
• src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostExtensionApi.ts – Exposes vscode.window.createTerminal to extensions.

Summary

• The primary command ID for opening a terminal is workbench.action.terminal.new, registered in terminalActions.ts.
• Keyboard shortcuts (Ctrl+Shift+ / Cmd+Shift+) provide the fastest UI access to the integrated terminal.
• Extensions should use vscode.window.createTerminal() to obtain a terminal handle for programmatic control, or vscode.commands.executeCommand('workbench.action.terminal.new') for simple triggering.
• The location parameter allows opening terminals in the editor area instead of the bottom panel.
• All pathways ultimately invoke ITerminalService.createTerminal to spawn the shell process using the default profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the keyboard shortcut to open a terminal in VS Code?

Press Ctrl+Shift+** (backtick) on Windows and Linux, or **Cmd+Shift+ on macOS. This shortcut dispatches the workbench.action.terminal.new command immediately, creating a new terminal instance with your default shell profile.

How do I open a terminal programmatically in a VS Code extension?

Use the vscode.window.createTerminal() method to create a terminal object, then call terminal.show() to reveal it. Alternatively, execute the built-in command with await vscode.commands.executeCommand('workbench.action.terminal.new') if you do not need to interact with the terminal instance afterward.

Can I open a terminal in the editor area instead of the bottom panel?

Yes. When calling vscode.window.createTerminal(), pass the location option with { viewColumn: vscode.ViewColumn.Beside } or another view column value. This opens the terminal as a tab in the editor area rather than in the integrated terminal panel.

Where is the vscode open terminal command defined in the source code?

The command is registered in src/vs/workbench/contrib/terminal/browser/terminalActions.ts under the ID workbench.action.terminal.new (lines 1214-1224). The underlying service interface is defined in src/vs/workbench/contrib/terminal/common/terminal.ts, while the extension API exposure lives in src/vs/workbench/api/common/extHostExtensionApi.ts.

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