GNOME 42 introduces Console, a new terminal emulator designed for simplicity and a streamlined user experience. Many distributions still ship with GNOME Terminal by default, but users looking for a lighter interface or improved integration with modern GNOME design guidelines may want to switch to Console. This process involves installing GNOME Console, setting it as the default terminal, and updating system behaviors such as the right-click "Open in Terminal" action in file managers.

Install GNOME Console

Step 1: Open your current terminal emulator (such as GNOME Terminal) and install GNOME Console using your package manager. On Ubuntu and Debian-based systems, enter:


sudo apt install gnome-console

On Fedora, use:


sudo dnf install gnome-console

This command downloads and installs GNOME Console and any required dependencies.

Set GNOME Console as the Default Terminal Emulator

Step 2: GNOME Console’s executable is named kgx. To make Console the default terminal—so that keyboard shortcuts like Ctrl+Alt+T launch it—you need to update your system’s alternatives settings.

On Ubuntu or Debian-based systems, first register Console as an alternative:


sudo update-alternatives --install /usr/bin/x-terminal-emulator x-terminal-emulator /usr/bin/kgx 1

Then select Console as the default terminal emulator:


sudo update-alternatives --config x-terminal-emulator

When prompted, enter the number corresponding to /usr/bin/kgx to set Console as the default. Now, pressing Ctrl+Alt+T will open GNOME Console instead of GNOME Terminal.

On Fedora and similar systems, use GNOME’s settings tool:


gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.default-applications.terminal exec kgx

This updates the system-wide terminal emulator preference to use Console.

Update File Manager Context Menu Actions

Step 3: File managers like Nautilus provide a right-click "Open in Terminal" action. By default, this may launch GNOME Terminal. To ensure this action uses Console, you may need to uninstall the gnome-terminal-nautilus package if it is present:


sudo dnf remove gnome-terminal-nautilus

Once removed, Nautilus detects GNOME Console and automatically updates the context menu to show "Open in Console" when Console is installed. No further configuration is necessary for most up-to-date GNOME environments.

Key Features and Differences Between GNOME Console and GNOME Terminal

Switching to GNOME Console changes the user experience in several ways:

  • Console provides a simplified interface with fewer customization options, focusing on essential tasks.
  • The application window color changes to red when running commands as root and purple for SSH sessions, providing clear visual cues for elevated privileges or remote connections.
  • Console supports desktop notifications for long-running commands, helping you stay informed about task completion.
  • Theme options include light, dark, and system-based modes, with transparency enabled by default (though not configurable).
  • Console includes basic tab support and search functionality, but lacks advanced features like profiles and extensive appearance customization found in GNOME Terminal.
  • Warnings appear when pasting commands with sudo, reducing the risk of unintentional privileged actions.

Console is intended for users who prefer a straightforward terminal experience or only occasionally use command-line tools. Advanced users who rely on extensive configuration or scripting features may prefer to keep GNOME Terminal or another full-featured emulator.

Alternative Methods and Considerations

Some distributions or desktop environments manage default applications through graphical tools. For example, Linux Mint allows you to set the default terminal via Menu > Preferred Applications. In such cases, after installing GNOME Console, open the preferences and select Console as your default terminal emulator.

If your system’s context menu does not update automatically, or if you use a different file manager, consult its documentation for instructions on changing the default terminal command.

Be aware that Console currently has limited configuration options and may not support all accessibility features or advanced preferences. Before removing GNOME Terminal, verify that Console meets your workflow requirements.

Switching to GNOME Console streamlines the terminal experience for users who value simplicity and visual cues. If you need more advanced features, you can always revert to GNOME Terminal or try other terminal emulators to match your workflow.