Boost Your Python Workflow on Windows with MS Terminal & VS Code

Why develop Python on Windows?

Windows offers a rich ecosystem and powerful GPU support, but developers often face issues such as file encoding, environment management, and build errors.

Tools Overview

The article introduces two essential tools: Microsoft Terminal , an open‑source, multi‑tab terminal that supports Command Prompt, PowerShell, SSH and custom themes, and Visual Studio Code (VS Code) , a lightweight, extensible, cross‑platform editor ideal for Python development.

Microsoft Terminal

MS Terminal provides tabbed sessions, customizable appearance (background opacity, text highlighting, emojis) and integrates the strengths of Command Prompt and PowerShell. Its GitHub repository ( https://github.com/microsoft/terminal) has quickly gained over 50 k stars, indicating strong community interest.

cd /path/to/project code .

Installing and Configuring VS Code

VS Code can be installed on Windows, macOS, and Linux from the official website. It supports a vast extension ecosystem; the Python extension adds features such as IntelliSense, linting, debugging, code snippets, unit‑test integration, automatic conda/virtual‑env handling, and Jupyter notebook support.

Key extensions: GitLens, Auto Save, Settings Sync, Docker.

VS Code stores global settings in User settings and project‑specific settings in .vscode (workspace settings).

Creating a New Python Program

Open a new file (Ctrl+N), save it as sieve.py to activate Python mode, and write code such as the Sieve of Eratosthenes. VS Code then provides syntax highlighting, auto‑formatting, and IntelliSense.

Running and Debugging

Save the file and right‑click → Run Python File in Terminal to execute it. For debugging, use the Debug view (F5 to start, F10/F11 to step, F9 to set breakpoints). VS Code can debug plain scripts, Django, Flask, and remote processes via a generated .vscode/launch.json configuration.

Testing Support

VS Code automatically detects unittest, pytest, or nose tests in the workspace. Tests can be run from the editor’s context menu or the Run Tests button, with results shown in the Output pane.

Git Integration

Built‑in source‑control UI provides commit, push, pull, branch, tag, merge‑conflict resolution, and diff viewing. Extensions like GitLens enhance the experience. All actions are accessible directly from the Source Control view.

Conclusion

Combining MS Terminal and VS Code gives Windows users a powerful, customizable, and integrated Python development workflow that rivals Linux/macOS setups.