Terminal
A window where you type text commands and the computer runs them.
Not the same as the shell
The terminal is the window you type into. The shell is the program inside it that interprets what you typed — the same distinction as a phone versus the person on the call.
Where it bites
Nothing in a terminal asks “are you sure”. Commands that delete do it immediately, with no confirmation and no recycle bin, which is the single habit that most separates a comfortable beginner from a nervous one.
Covered in these lessons
Related terms
Where this comes up
Also written as terminal, command line, console. Checked 2026-08-06.