How to Change and Set the Default Terminal in Ubuntu or Debian

Changing the default terminal emulator in Ubuntu or Debian Linux can enhance your workflow by allowing you to choose a terminal that best fits your preferences, whether it’s for speed, customization, or features. This guide walks you through the process of setting your preferred terminal as the default, ensuring a smoother and more personalized command-line experience. Before you start, ensure you have your preferred terminal installed on your system. Common options include GNOME Terminal, Konsole, Xfce Terminal, Tilix, or Alacritty. If you haven’t installed your preferred terminal yet, do so via your package manager. For example, to install Tilix, run sudo apt install tilix.

What You’ll Need

A working Linux system based on Ubuntu or Debian
Administrative (sudo) privileges
Your preferred terminal emulator installed

Step-by-Step

Open a terminal window. You can do this by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T or by searching for “Terminal” in your application menu.
Identify the command or desktop entry for your preferred terminal. Typically, terminal emulators have commands like gnome-terminal, konsole, xfce4-terminal, tilix, or alacritty. You can verify the executable by typing which followed by the command, e.g., which tilix.
Check your current default terminal setting. Depending on your desktop environment, the default terminal is often set via update-alternatives or desktop-specific settings.


Using update-alternatives (recommended for most distributions): Run the command sudo update-alternatives --config x-terminal-emulator. This command lists all installed terminal emulators registered with the system and allows you to select the default by entering the corresponding number.
If your system does not use update-alternatives for terminals, you can manually set the default by updating your desktop environment's settings or configuration files. For GNOME, you can set the default terminal using the gsettings command. For example, to set Tilix as default, run: 
 
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.default-applications.terminal exec 'tilix' 

Verify your change by opening a new terminal window. It should now open your chosen terminal emulator by default when launched from the application menu or shortcut.
Optionally, if you use custom shortcuts or scripts to open terminals, update those to invoke your preferred terminal command explicitly.


Common Mistakes

Not installing the terminal emulator before setting it as default.
Using the wrong command or typo in the command name, leading to errors or the default not changing.
Forgetting to run update-alternatives with sudo, which is necessary for system-wide changes.
Not verifying the change by opening a new terminal window.
Confusing desktop environment-specific settings with system-wide configurations—ensure you modify the correct settings for your environment.

Tips

Use which <terminal> to verify the executable path of your preferred terminal before setting it as default.
If you have multiple users or configurations, consider setting the default terminal for individual users via their profile settings or environment variables.
For GNOME users, the gsettings command provides a straightforward way to change the default terminal without editing configuration files.
Backup your current settings before making changes, especially if editing configuration files manually.
Consult your desktop environment's documentation for specific instructions on setting default applications, as procedures can vary.

Troubleshooting
If your default terminal does not change after following the steps, try the following:

Ensure you ran update-alternatives --config x-terminal-emulator with sudo to modify system-wide defaults.
Restart your computer or logout and login again to ensure changes take effect.
Verify the executable path of your preferred terminal with which and ensure it appears correctly in the alternatives list.
If using GNOME, check the current default with gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.default-applications.terminal exec and verify it matches your preference.
Make sure your preferred terminal is correctly installed and accessible from the command line.
Review desktop environment-specific settings, as some environments override system-wide defaults.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I set different default terminals for different users? Yes, by configuring user-specific settings or environment variables in their profiles.
Will changing the default terminal affect existing terminal shortcuts? It depends on how shortcuts are configured. If they invoke a specific terminal command, update them accordingly.
How do I revert to the original default terminal? Re-run sudo update-alternatives --config x-terminal-emulator and select the original option.
Can I have multiple default terminals and switch between them easily? Yes, using update-alternatives allows you to switch the default terminal quickly.
Is it possible to assign a keyboard shortcut to open my preferred terminal? Yes, most desktop environments support custom keyboard shortcuts where you can specify your preferred terminal command.
What if my preferred terminal does not appear in the alternatives list? Ensure it is properly installed and registered with update-alternatives. You may need to manually add it.

 This comprehensive guide provides all the necessary steps and tips to successfully change and set your default terminal emulator in Ubuntu or Debian Linux, ensuring a more personalized and efficient command-line experience.
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How to Change and Set the Default Terminal in Ubuntu or Debian