White Background Color Scheme for Windows Terminal

Overview

Windows Terminal allows you to customize its appearance through color schemes, improving both readability and overall usability. This article introduces a simple white background color scheme and explains its purpose and how to apply it.

This scheme uses a light background combined with muted text colors, making it suitable for extended use without excessive eye strain.

Purpose of the Color Scheme

A white background color scheme offers several practical advantages:

Improved readability: Dark text stands out clearly against a white background
Visual consistency: Aligns well with common applications like editors and web browsers
Reduced eye fatigue: Less harsh than dark themes in bright environments

It is particularly effective for daytime use or well-lit workspaces.

Key Configuration Points

The provided configuration defines a balanced and minimal color palette:

Background (background): #FFFFFF (white)
Foreground (foreground): #0C0C0C (near-black)
Cursor (cursorColor): Dark color for clear visibility
Selection (selectionBackground): Dark highlight for contrast

Standard terminal colors (red, blue, green, etc.) and their bright variants are also included, ensuring proper color distinction in command outputs.

How to Apply

1. Open the Settings File

Launch Windows Terminal and open the Settings. Edit the configuration file in JSON format.

2. Add the Color Scheme

Insert the following into the "schemes" array:

"schemes": [
    {
        "name": "Theme Name",
        "background": "#FFFFFF",
        "foreground": "#0C0C0C"
        ...
    }
]

If a "schemes" section already exists, simply add this entry to the list.

3. Apply to a Profile

Assign the scheme to a profile (e.g., PowerShell or Command Prompt):

"colorScheme": "Theme Name"

This activates the color scheme for that profile.

Notes

In dark environments, a white background may feel too bright
Some tools rely on specific color assumptions, which may affect visibility

You can fine-tune individual colors as needed to better match your preferences.

Summary

This white background color scheme provides a clean and readable interface for Windows Terminal. It is easy to implement and well-suited for everyday use, especially in bright environments. Adjust it as necessary to create a comfortable and efficient working setup.

{
    "$help": "https://aka.ms/terminal-documentation",
    "$schema": "https://aka.ms/terminal-profiles-schema",
    "schemes": 
    [
        {
            "background": "#FFFFFF",
            "black": "#0C0C0C",
            "blue": "#0037DA",
            "brightBlack": "#767676",
            "brightBlue": "#3B78FF",
            "brightCyan": "#61D6D6",
            "brightGreen": "#16C60C",
            "brightPurple": "#B4009E",
            "brightRed": "#E74856",
            "brightWhite": "#F2F2F2",
            "brightYellow": "#C19C00",
            "cursorColor": "#0C0C0C",
            "cyan": "#3A96DD",
            "foreground": "#0C0C0C",
            "green": "#13A10E",
            "name": "My Light Theme",
            "purple": "#881798",
            "red": "#C50F1F",
            "selectionBackground": "#0C0C0C",
            "white": "#CCCCCC",
            "yellow": "#856B00"
        }
    ]
}