AI-Powered Windows Terminal: A Hands-On Look

Emily Davis · 2026-06-07

Microsoft recently released an open-source fork of Windows Terminal called "Intelligent Terminal," and it lets you use AI directly inside the terminal without messing with your regular session. This is a big deal for developers and IT pros who want to boost productivity without switching tools. I spent a few hours testing it out, and here's what I found. ### What Makes Intelligent Terminal Different? The key feature is that AI runs in a separate session, so your normal command-line work stays clean and unaffected. You can ask questions, get code suggestions, or troubleshoot errors right in the terminal window. It feels like having a smart assistant sitting next to you. - **Separate AI session**: No interference with your regular terminal. - **Real-time help**: Ask for explanations or fixes as you work. - **Open-source**: You can inspect or modify the code. ### How It Works in Practice When you open Intelligent Terminal, you'll see a familiar interface but with an AI toggle. Flick it on, and a side panel appears where you can type questions or commands. For example, I asked it to explain a complex PowerShell script, and it broke it down line by line. The responses are fast and relevant. One thing I appreciated was the context awareness. It understands what you're doing in the main session, so suggestions are tailored. If you're debugging a network issue, it might recommend specific commands or point out common pitfalls. ### Performance and Setup Setting it up took less than 5 minutes. You download it from GitHub, run the installer, and you're good to go. It works on Windows 10 and 11, and it's lightweight—uses about 150 MB of RAM on average. In my tests, it didn't slow down my system, even when running multiple tabs. > "The separate session design is a smart move—it keeps AI help available without cluttering your workflow." — Emily Davis ### Who Should Use It? This tool is perfect for sysadmins, developers, and anyone who spends hours in the command line. If you often search for syntax or troubleshoot errors, Intelligent Terminal saves time. It's also great for learning new commands or scripting languages. - **Beginners**: Get instant explanations. - **Pros**: Speed up repetitive tasks. - **Teams**: Share AI insights without extra tools. ### Final Thoughts Intelligent Terminal is a solid addition to Microsoft's ecosystem. It's free, open-source, and genuinely useful. While it's still early, the potential is huge. I'd recommend giving it a try if you work with terminals daily. Just keep in mind that AI responses aren't perfect—always double-check critical commands. Overall, this tool bridges the gap between traditional terminal work and modern AI assistance. It's a smart move that could change how we interact with command lines.