If you are a developer or power user who recently transitioned from macOS to Windows, one of the first things you likely noticed is that the muscle memory for iTerm2 doesn’t automatically translate to the default Windows Terminal setup.

Specifically, the ability to quickly navigate between tabs and rearrange them using simple keyboard shortcuts is a productivity game-changer. The good news? Windows Terminal is incredibly extensible, and you can replicate that exact iTerm2 feel with just a few minutes of configuration.

The Power of the settings.json File

Windows Terminal stores its keybindings in a settings.json file. While the GUI settings menu is helpful, the true power lies in editing this JSON file directly.

To open it:

  1. Open Windows Terminal.
  2. Press Ctrl + , to open the Settings tab.
  3. Click “Open JSON file” in the bottom-left corner.

The Configuration

To enable the iTerm2-style shortcuts, you need to add custom commands to the "actions" array. Here is the configuration you can add to get that smooth workflow:

{
    "command": { "action": "prevTab" },
    "keys": "ctrl+left"
},
{
    "command": { "action": "nextTab" },
    "keys": "ctrl+right"
},
{
    "command": { "action": "moveTab", "direction": "backward" },
    "keys": "ctrl+shift+left"
},
{
    "command": { "action": "moveTab", "direction": "forward" },
    "keys": "ctrl+shift+right"
}

Pro-Tip: Watch for Conflicts

When you map Ctrl + Left and Ctrl + Right to tab navigation, you override the default behavior of your shell (like PowerShell or Bash), which usually uses those keys to jump the cursor by word.

If you find yourself missing the “jump by word” functionality, consider using Alt or Ctrl + Shift for your tab navigation instead. Simply update the "keys" value in the JSON block above to whatever combination feels most natural to you.

Why This Matters

Customizing your terminal isn’t just about personal preference—it’s about reducing friction. When you can manage your workspace without taking your hands off the keyboard, you stay in the “flow state” longer.

By mapping these shortcuts, you turn Windows Terminal from a simple command prompt into a powerful, high-velocity environment that rivals any Unix-based terminal.

Happy coding!