How to Change Text Color in a Linux Terminal: A Comprehensive Guide

The Linux terminal can be a powerful tool, but to make it even more functional and efficient, you might want to customize its appearance. One of the most useful features is changing the text color, which can help you identify different outputs or improve your command-line experience. In this guide, we will explore both command-line and graphical methods to achieve this. Let's dive in!

Command-Line Method

The command-line method is a straightforward approach that allows you to change the text color in a Linux terminal. Here’s how you can do it:

Open your terminal and type echo -e "e[38;5;mText_color_changes_here033[0m". Replace color_code with the desired color code (you can find these codes by typing echo -e 'e[38;5;1m' to see red and so on').

To see a list of all color options, type echo -e 'e[38;5;0m' which will show you a range of colors available.

To change the text color, type echo -e 'e[38;5;m Your colored text goes here 033[0m'. For example, type echo -e 'e[38;5;2m Hello, light green text! 033[0m' to get light green text.

Graphical Method

If you prefer a more visual and user-friendly approach, the graphical method is for you. Here’s how you can change the text color using the graphical user interface (GUI):

Click on the window icon at the top of your terminal window. This icon typically represents the terminal itself.

Right-click on the terminal window, and a context menu will appear. Select Properties.

Once the Properties window appears, go to the Colors tab.

Select Text or Background and adjust the color values to your liking. You can play around with different combinations to find the one that suits you best.

Click OK to apply the changes and close the window.

Setting Default Color Scheme

If you want to set a default color scheme that will be applied every time you open a new terminal session, you can do so by following these steps:

Select the upper-left corner of the terminal window. This is usually where the title bar meets the window edge.

Click on Defaults to apply the selected color scheme as the default for new terminal windows.

Go to the Colors tab and select the colors you want to use for the Screen Text and Screen Background.

Apply the changes by clicking OK.

Conclusion

Customizing the color of your Linux terminal can enhance your experience and make it more productive. Whether you use the command-line or graphical methods, you can easily change the text color to suit your preferences. Experiment with different combinations to find what works best for you and enjoy your enhanced terminal experience!

Do you prefer the command-line method or the graphical method? Share your thoughts and tips in the comments below!