Using Microsoft Terminal and VS Code for Python Development on Windows

Windows offers a rich ecosystem for development, but Python developers often face challenges with file encoding, environment control, and project compilation. This article introduces Microsoft Terminal and Visual Studio Code (VS Code) as solutions to streamline Python development on Windows.

Microsoft Terminal is an open‑source terminal that supports multiple tabs, integrates Command Prompt, PowerShell, and SSH, and provides customizable appearance, transparency, and emoji support. It can be installed directly from its GitHub repository ( https://github.com/microsoft/terminal ) and offers a familiar experience for users of zsh and other shells.

VS Code is a lightweight, extensible editor available on all platforms. It supports Python through the official Python extension, which provides IntelliSense, linting, debugging, code snippets, unit‑test integration, conda/virtual‑env handling, and Jupyter notebook editing. Additional useful extensions include GitLens, Settings Sync, Docker, and various keymap and theme packs.

To start a new Python file, open VS Code (Ctrl+N), save the file with a .py extension (e.g., sieve.py ), and VS Code will recognize it as Python code, enabling syntax highlighting and IntelliSense. The article demonstrates writing the Sieve of Eratosthenes algorithm and shows how VS Code automatically formats and indents the code.

Running code is simple: save the file, right‑click in the editor, and select “Run Python File in Terminal”. The integrated terminal displays the program’s output. For projects, create a folder, open it with code . (after cd /path/to/project ), and VS Code will detect any virtual environment, allowing you to select the interpreter via the status bar or the command palette.

VS Code’s debugging features include breakpoints, variable tracking, call‑stack inspection, and support for Django/Flask applications. Debug configurations are stored in .vscode/launch.json , and can be created via the Debug view’s “Add Configuration” menu.

Git integration is built‑in: if a .git folder exists, VS Code shows source‑control actions such as committing, pushing, branching, merging, and diff viewing directly in the UI. Extensions like GitLens enhance these capabilities.

Overall, the combination of Microsoft Terminal and VS Code provides a powerful, customizable environment for Python development on Windows, suitable for both single‑file scripts and larger projects.