How to change the default terminal in Manjaro?

Question

I recently switched from ubuntu to Manjaro. On ubuntu I used Tilix and made it my default terminal emulator.

I did so with:

sudo update-alternatives --config x-terminal-emulator

Is there a way to set the default terminal emulator with Manjaro/Arch?

Edit: I'm using Manjaro Gnome

Ruscher

You can use this replacing "kgx" with "tilix" – tested successfully on Manjaro GNOME 43. – Miltiades

Answer 1

I currently use manjaro (i3), and in the past have used manjaro preloaded with different desktop environments(gnome, xfce and KDE). One thing that I have observed is that the default terminal emulator depends on the preloaded desktop environment. Unfortunately, you have not provided which DE you use.

• For gnome, you can execute:

  gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.default-applications.terminal exec gnome-terminal

  Make sure to replace gnome-terminal with your choice.

• If you use xfce DE, then go to settings, then preferred application, then utilities tab and then change the terminal emulator from there.

• If you use i3, you can either change the i3 config file located in ~/.i3/ and then change the binding for $mod+Return exec i3-sensible-terminal (Replace i3-sensible-terminal with your choice.) OR you can install xfce4-settings-manager using:

  sudo pacman -S xfce4-settings

  Then execute xfce4-settings-manager using menu ($mod+d) follow the steps as I mentioned for xfce desktop environment above.

Revest

I'm using Manjaro Gnome. I just tried the above mentioned suggestion, I don't think it works for me. Also, when I check org.gnome.desktop.default-applications.terminal in dconf, it says in the description: Terminal program to use when starting applications that require one. DEPRECATED: This key is deprecated and ignored. The default terminal is handled in GIO. – Ruscher

I added my current "solution" as separate answer for others, but it's just a work-around – Ruscher

Try this (2 commands one by one) gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.default-applications.terminal exec /usr/bin/terminator gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.default-applications.terminal exec-arg "-x" – Revest

You forgot to mention an option for KDE users :( – Putsch

Answer 2

Not really a solution, but a work-around that works for most of my use cases.

Adding a keyboard shortcut (under Settings → Devices → Keyboard) with:

Name: Launch Terminal
Command: tilix
Shortcut: Ctrl+Ctrl+T

Ruscher

which tilix tilix not found – Snore

you need to install tilix (gnunn1.github.io/tilix-web) – Ruscher

Answer 3

If you are on KDE:

I am currently using Manjaro with KDE version 5.26.4. For me I went into Settings --> Applications --> Default Applications. From there you can select the Terminal emulator of your choice from the drop-down menu.

Neanderthal