How to Show Folder & File Icons in Windows Terminal with PowerShell 🖤✨

Yo this is me saad maqsood and i am here too tell that your Windows Terminal doesn't have to look like a boring text box. With Terminal-Icons, your PowerShell can flex with clean, meaningful file & folder icons every time you run Get-ChildItem. It's fast, lightweight, and instantly makes your terminal easier to scan and actually pleasant to use. If you like that hacker aesthetic + practicality, this is for you. 

This guide walks you through the whole flow: install Windows Terminal, set up Terminal-Icons, pick a Nerd Font, and make the icons load automatically on every terminal start. No drama, no weird tweaks just copy-paste steps that work. Perfect for beginners and designers who want a nicer dev environment. ✨

Step 1 — Install Windows Terminal 🛠️

If you don't already have Windows Terminal, grab it from the Microsoft Store. It's free, modern, and required for this setup:

• Microsoft Store link: Download Windows Terminal
• Install it like any normal Windows app
  
  

Step 2 — Install Terminal-Icons Module 🖤

Open PowerShell as Administrator and run:

Install-Module -Name Terminal-Icons -Repository PSGallery

Or check out the official GitHub repo for source, issues, and advanced docs:

• GitHub: https://github.com/devblackops/Terminal-Icons
  
  

Step 3 — Import Terminal-Icons 🔌

To enable icons in your current session:

Import-Module -Name Terminal-Icons

Then run:

Get-ChildItem

You should see icons next to files & folders — if you see empty boxes, move to the next step. 😅

Step 4 — Install a Nerd Font 🖋️

Terminal-Icons uses glyphs only available in patched fonts. Grab one of these:

• Nerd Fonts download page: https://www.nerdfonts.com/font-downloads
• Popular picks: FiraCode Nerd Font, JetBrains Mono Nerd Font, CaskaydiaCove Nerd Font

After installing the font, open Windows Terminal → Settings → Profiles → PowerShell → Appearance → Font face and select your Nerd Font. Restart Terminal if needed.

Step 5 — Auto-load on Terminal Start 🔄

Make icons load automatically every time by adding the import line to your PowerShell profile:

notepad $PROFILE
# then add this line to the file (save & close)
Import-Module Terminal-Icons

Restart Windows Terminal and icons will now appear automatically ✨.

Pro Tips 💡

• Combine Terminal-Icons with Oh-My-Posh or PSReadLine for colored prompts and a full hacker vibe.
• If icons are off, double-check your Terminal profile font and restart the app.
• Want custom icons or behavior? Check the Terminal-Icons GitHub for advanced configs.
  
  

Wrap-Up — Upgrade Your Terminal Game 😎

No more boring file lists. Windows Terminal + Terminal-Icons + Nerd Fonts = instant visual clarity and style. Install Windows Terminal, add Terminal-Icons, pick a Nerd Font, and import it in your profile every Get-ChildItem now has icons. Simple, clean, stylish, and functional. 🚀

Experiment with different fonts, themes, and Oh-My-Posh configurations for maximum aesthetic + productivity. Your terminal finally looks like a modern, hacker-ready workspace. 💻✨

Drop this setup in, flex your upgraded terminal, and enjoy the satisfaction of a visually beautiful PowerShell. 🔥🖤