Wed. Dec 6th, 2023
    Microsoft Open-Sources Terminal Chat: Empowering Developers to Innovate AI in Windows Terminal

    Microsoft has made a significant announcement, opening up Terminal Chat to the open-source community. The company invites developers to engage and contribute to the development of artificial intelligence (AI) within a terminal application, aligning with its commitment to user and developer empowerment.

    Terminal Chat, currently available in Windows Terminal Canary, revolutionizes the way users interact with AI services directly within the terminal. By integrating this feature, users can effortlessly receive intelligent suggestions, including command look-ups and error message comprehension, while seamlessly maintaining the context of their terminal session.

    Microsoft recognizes that the potential of AI in the Windows Terminal is immense and believes in fostering a collaborative environment for innovation. Through open-sourcing Terminal Chat, developers from the open-source community can now actively participate in shaping the future of AI in Windows Terminal.

    To facilitate the use of Terminal Chat, Microsoft has provided the necessary code infrastructure. Developers interested in contributing or utilizing Terminal Chat can access the code in the feature/llm branch of the Windows Terminal repository on GitHub. Furthermore, the latest build of Windows Terminal Canary, featuring Terminal Chat, is readily available for download from the GitHub repository.

    To set up Terminal Chat in Windows Terminal Canary, users need to manually configure an AI service endpoint and key in the Terminal Chat settings. At present, Terminal Chat explicitly supports the Azure OpenAI Service. To acquire the essential Azure OpenAI Service endpoint and key, users must create and deploy an Azure OpenAI Service resource.

    By embracing the open-source community’s expertise, Microsoft is taking a forward-thinking approach to AI development. This collaborative effort empowers developers to contribute their insights, ideas, and expertise, leading to cutting-edge advancements in AI capabilities within Windows Terminal.

    FAQ:

    1. What is Terminal Chat?

    Terminal Chat is a feature in Windows Terminal that enables users to engage in conversations with an AI service directly within the terminal. It provides intelligent suggestions, such as command look-ups and error message comprehension, while maintaining the context of the terminal session.

    2. How can developers contribute to Terminal Chat?

    Developers can contribute to Terminal Chat by engaging with and contributing to the development of AI within the Windows Terminal through the open-source community. The code for Terminal Chat can be found in the feature/llm branch of the Windows Terminal repository on GitHub.

    3. How can users set up Terminal Chat in Windows Terminal Canary?

    Users can set up Terminal Chat in Windows Terminal Canary by manually adding an AI service endpoint and key to the Terminal Chat settings. Currently, Terminal Chat exclusively supports the Azure OpenAI Service, requiring users to create and deploy an Azure OpenAI Service resource to obtain the necessary endpoint and key.

    4. Where can users download the latest build of Windows Terminal Canary featuring Terminal Chat?

    The latest build of Windows Terminal Canary, featuring Terminal Chat, is available for download from the GitHub repository of Windows Terminal. Users can find the repository by visiting the Windows Terminal website or searching for it on GitHub.