Enhance Windows 11 Terminal with PowerToys: Get a Green Halo on Copying Content

When using Windows Terminal, users may occasionally encounter frustrating instances where the text they have copied fails to transfer to the clipboard, especially after they have exited the Terminal. Fortunately, an innovative new tool in PowerToys is set to enhance your experience by providing a visual confirmation when text is successfully copied.

PowerToys is an invaluable enhancement for Windows 11, and as a frequent user, I wholeheartedly endorse its utility. It arguably should be a standard component of every Windows installation, but that’s a subject for another discussion.

The latest addition to this suite, known as ClipPing, is designed to notify users each time they copy text from the Terminal. Created by Kevin Gosse along with two collaborators, ClipPing provides a visual cue whenever text is copied, ensuring users can confirm their actions without uncertainty.

A recent GitHub code merge request seeks to integrate ClipPing into PowerToys. While it awaits approval from Microsoft, the feature’s implementation could lead to a distinct green halo appearing around the Terminal window, signaling a successful copy operation.

You might wonder why a visual notification for a simple copy action is necessary. Although the rationale may seem niche at first, let me explain why it adds significant value.

Visual Feedback from ClipPing in Windows Terminal

ClipPing delivers a visual confirmation that text has been copied from the Terminal by illuminating the top bar with a green halo effect. Users can also opt to have a glowing overlay appear around the Terminal window, providing additional feedback.

This feature effectively informs you of the success of your copy operation without being intrusive, unlike standard pop-up notifications. This clever design allows you to maintain your flow and focus while using the Terminal.

My Enthusiasm for ClipPing

As someone who frequently interacts with the Terminal on my Windows 11 device—whether managing packages via Winget or configuring system settings—I often need to copy outputs for future reference. This includes generated tokens, URLs, IP addresses of services, or even error messages encountered while executing commands.

The current Terminal application lacks a context menu for copying and pasting, which means users must select text and use the Ctrl + C shortcut or right-click to execute the copy command. More often than not, I’m left wondering if my copy was successful, leading to instances where I attempt to paste into a web browser, only to find nothing transferred. This is particularly aggravating when trying to search for lengthy error messages resulting from command executions.

A simple visual indication of success is something many Terminal users, including myself, have been wanting. ClipPing offers this solution seamlessly. Microsoft’s PowerToys is known for its inventive micro-tools, and I sincerely hope they consider integrating this feature into future versions of Windows 11. Meanwhile, if you’re eager to test it out, you can download ClipPing from GitHub and try it on Windows 10 as well.

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