Opening multiple terminals is a common task for developers, system administrators, and anyone working on the command line. Whether you're running multiple scripts simultaneously, monitoring logs, or just prefer a cleaner workspace, knowing how to quickly and efficiently open additional terminals is essential. This guide will show you several ways to open another terminal on both macOS and Linux systems.
Methods for Opening a New Terminal on Mac
macOS offers several intuitive ways to launch new Terminal windows or tabs. Here's a breakdown of the most common and efficient methods:
1. Using the Menu Bar
This is the most straightforward approach:
- Click: On the existing Terminal window.
- Go to: The "File" menu.
- Select: "New Window" or "New Tab." "New Window" opens a completely separate Terminal window, while "New Tab" opens a new tab within the existing Terminal application.
2. Keyboard Shortcuts
Keyboard shortcuts offer speed and efficiency. Mastering these will save you considerable time:
- New Window:
⌘ + N(Command + N) - New Tab:
⌘ + T(Command + T)
These are easily memorized and allow for rapid creation of new terminals.
3. Using the Dock
If you have the Terminal app in your Dock, simply:
- Click and hold: the Terminal icon in your Dock.
- Select: "New Window" from the context menu.
Methods for Opening a New Terminal on Linux
Linux distributions offer similar functionality, but the exact methods might vary slightly depending on your desktop environment (GNOME, KDE, XFCE, etc.). However, the core approaches remain consistent:
1. Using the Application Menu
Most Linux desktop environments provide an application menu. You should be able to find the Terminal application within this menu and launch a new instance from there.
2. Using the Desktop Environment's Shortcut
Similar to macOS, many Linux desktop environments offer keyboard shortcuts for launching new terminals. Common shortcuts include:
- Ctrl + Alt + T: This is a widely used shortcut across many Linux distributions. It's worth trying first.
- Alt + F2: This shortcut often brings up a run command dialog where you can type
gnome-terminal(or the appropriate command for your desktop environment) to launch a new terminal.
3. Using the Command Line Itself
This method is particularly powerful. You can open a new terminal from within an existing terminal using the following command (the specific command may differ slightly based on your distribution and shell):
gnome-terminal(GNOME): Launches a new GNOME Terminal window.konsole(KDE): Launches a new Konsole window.xfce4-terminal(XFCE): Launches a new XFCE Terminal window.
Replace the command with the one appropriate for your desktop environment. You can also add options to the command to customize the new terminal's appearance or behavior.
Choosing the Best Method
The best method for opening another terminal depends on your personal preferences and workflow. Keyboard shortcuts offer the fastest access, while the menu bar provides a visual and intuitive approach. Experiment with the different methods to find what works best for you. The ability to quickly open multiple terminals is a valuable skill for any command-line user.
