OS 10.5 - Fastest Way to open terminal window

elbarto · elbarto #1 (**permalink**)

08-09-2009, 08:01 AM

Hi All,

Just got start with my first mac today - 13" macbook. I am just wondering what the fastest method is to open the terminal? All the tutorials I have read open it by navigating through the finder but I thought there might be a shortcut somewhere.

In windows the command prompt could be opened by typing "windows+R" then typing "cmd" so there was no need to use the mouse at all. Something similar to this would be great.

Regards Elbarto

Sur3Mac · Sur3Mac #2 (**permalink**)

08-09-2009, 09:40 AM

Well, you could navigate to Programs/Utilities/Terminal and then drag and drop it onto your dock, that would be the fastest way that I'm aware of, and it would even be much quicker than the Windows solution.

Good luck

god0fgod · god0fgod #3 (**permalink**)

08-09-2009, 10:24 AM

In Ubuntu I set up a keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T and it proved to be a good way to open a terminal.

vansmith · vansmith #4 (**permalink**)

08-09-2009, 11:20 AM

I use QuickSilver which, among many other things, let's you set hotkeys for certain actions. For instance, I just now setup the hotkey Shift-Command-T to open Terminal. Once you have it installed, simply go to Preferences > Triggers and click the plus sign at the bottom. Select hotkey and start typing terminal until it shows up in the "Select an item" box. Make sure the "Action" is set as open and if so, click Save. Now, click that hotkey in the list and click the info button in the bottom right hand corner. Click inside the hotkey box and press the key combo you want as your hotkey (be careful and choose something that isn't common to a lot of programs such as Command-N).

This hotkey will work when QuickSilver is open but if you're like me, it will be open all the time.

Dysfunction · Dysfunction #5 (**permalink**)

08-09-2009, 01:55 PM

you can also do cmd-space and type terminal

technologist · technologist #6 (**permalink**)

08-09-2009, 03:58 PM

Leave it running, and then use Command+tab to switch to it, and then Command-N to open a window.

elbarto · elbarto #7 (**permalink**)

08-09-2009, 11:57 PM

Thanks for all of your responses. I like this method:

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dysfunction

you can also do cmd-space and type terminal

as you do not need a mouse to navigate to the terminal. I was interested to see what options were available since one of the introduction articles I was reading made a point of saying how many operations are better performed by the keyboard through terminal then by using the mouse to do it but didn't say how to open the terminal from the keyboard.

Thanks all once again, hopefully I can pick up the basics over the next few weeks.

Regards Elbarto

vansmith #4 (permalink)
Member Since: Oct 19, 2008 Location: Ottawa Posts: 15,331 Mac Specs: 2012 13" MBP (2.5 i5, 8GB)	08-09-2009, 11:20 AM I use QuickSilver which, among many other things, let's you set hotkeys for certain actions. For instance, I just now setup the hotkey Shift-Command-T to open Terminal. Once you have it installed, simply go to Preferences > Triggers and click the plus sign at the bottom. Select hotkey and start typing terminal until it shows up in the "Select an item" box. Make sure the "Action" is set as open and if so, click Save. Now, click that hotkey in the list and click the info button in the bottom right hand corner. Click inside the hotkey box and press the key combo you want as your hotkey (be careful and choose something that isn't common to a lot of programs such as Command-N). This hotkey will work when QuickSilver is open but if you're like me, it will be open all the time. Important Links: Community Guidelines : Use the reputation system if you've been helped. M-F Blog :: Write for the blog :: M-F IRC Channel - Chats every Sunday at 8PM EST.
	QUOTE Thanks

Dysfunction #5 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 17, 2008 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 6,534 Mac Specs: 2008 and 2011 15" mbps, late 11 iMac, iPhone 4s, and too many ipods and other stuff	08-09-2009, 01:55 PM you can also do cmd-space and type terminal mike This machine kills fascists Got # ? phear the command line!
	QUOTE Thanks

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elbarto #1 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 09, 2009 Posts: 7	08-09-2009, 08:01 AM Hi All, Just got start with my first mac today - 13" macbook. I am just wondering what the fastest method is to open the terminal? All the tutorials I have read open it by navigating through the finder but I thought there might be a shortcut somewhere. In windows the command prompt could be opened by typing "windows+R" then typing "cmd" so there was no need to use the mouse at all. Something similar to this would be great. Regards Elbarto
	QUOTE Thanks

Sur3Mac #2 (permalink)
Member Since: Aug 03, 2009 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,563 Mac Specs: Late 2011 MBP 13" i5/16GB RAM,Early 2007 MB white 13", 2x TV 3rd Gen, ᣦ	08-09-2009, 09:40 AM Well, you could navigate to Programs/Utilities/Terminal and then drag and drop it onto your dock, that would be the fastest way that I'm aware of, and it would even be much quicker than the Windows solution. Good luck
	QUOTE Thanks

technologist #6 (permalink)
Member Since: Mar 30, 2004 Location: USA Posts: 4,744 Mac Specs: 12" Apple PowerBook G4 (1.5GHz)	08-09-2009, 03:58 PM Leave it running, and then use Command+tab to switch to it, and then Command-N to open a window.
	QUOTE Thanks

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