Setting Colors on Your WSL Ubuntu App

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 136 views

Introduction

The Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) allows you to run a Linux environment directly on Windows 10, providing a seamless experience for developers and users alike. However, one common issue that users face is the default color scheme of the WSL Ubuntu app, which can be difficult to read, especially for those with color blindness. In this article, we will explore how to set colors on your WSL Ubuntu app and make it more readable.

Understanding the Issue

The issue you're facing is likely due to the default color scheme of the WSL Ubuntu app, which uses a blue color on a black background. This can be challenging to read, especially for those with color blindness. The ls command, which is used to list files and directories, is particularly affected by this issue.

Why is the Default Color Scheme a Problem?

The default color scheme of the WSL Ubuntu app is a problem for several reasons:

Color blindness: As you mentioned, the blue color on a black background can be difficult to read for those with color blindness.
Eye strain: The high contrast between the blue color and the black background can cause eye strain and fatigue.
Accessibility: The default color scheme can make it difficult for users with visual impairments to read and navigate the WSL Ubuntu app.

Setting Colors on Your WSL Ubuntu App

Fortunately, setting colors on your WSL Ubuntu app is a relatively simple process. Here are the steps you can follow:

Step 1: Open the WSL Ubuntu App

First, open the WSL Ubuntu app on your Windows 10 machine. You can do this by searching for "Ubuntu" in the Start menu and clicking on the "Ubuntu" app.

Step 2: Open the Terminal

Once the WSL Ubuntu app is open, click on the terminal icon to open a new terminal window.

Step 3: Use the `dircolors` Command

To set colors on your WSL Ubuntu app, you can use the dircolors command. This command allows you to customize the color scheme of the ls command.

To use the dircolors command, type the following command in the terminal window:

dircolors -p

This command will print the current color scheme to the terminal window.

Step 4: Customize the Color Scheme

To customize the color scheme, you can use the dircolors command with the -p option followed by the name of a color scheme file. For example, to use the "solarized" color scheme, you can type the following command:

dircolors -p /etc/DIR_COLORS.solarized

This command will print the solarized color scheme to the terminal window.

Step 5: Save the Customized Color Scheme

To save the customized color scheme, you can use the dircolors command with the -p option followed by the name of a color scheme file. For example, to save the solarized color scheme to a file named "custom_colors", you can type the following command:

dircolors -p > custom_colors

This command will save the solarized color scheme to a file named "custom_colors".

Step 6: Apply the Customized Color Scheme

To apply the customized color scheme, you can use the dircolors command with the -p option followed by the name of the color scheme file. For example, to apply the solarized color scheme, you can type the following command:

dircolors -p custom_colors

This command will apply the solarized color scheme to the ls command.

Tips and Variations

Here are some tips and variations to help you customize the color scheme of your WSL Ubuntu app:

Use a different color scheme: You can use a different color scheme by specifying the name of a color scheme file with the dircolors command. For example, to use the "monokai" color scheme, you can type the following command:

dircolors -p /etc/DIR_COLORS.monokai ```

Customize the color scheme: You can customize the color scheme by editing the color scheme file. For example, to customize the solarized color scheme, you can edit the file /etc/DIR_COLORS.solarized.
Use a different terminal emulator: You can use a different terminal emulator to customize the color scheme of your WSL Ubuntu app. For example, you can use the "GNOME Terminal" emulator to customize the color scheme.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting colors on your WSL Ubuntu app is a relatively simple process. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can customize the color scheme of the ls command and make it more readable. Whether you're a developer, a user, or someone with color blindness, customizing the color scheme of your WSL Ubuntu app can make a big difference in your productivity and comfort.

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about setting colors on your WSL Ubuntu app:

Q: How do I customize the color scheme of my WSL Ubuntu app? A: To customize the color scheme of your WSL Ubuntu app, you can use the dircolors command with the -p option followed by the name of a color scheme file.
Q: What are some popular color schemes for the WSL Ubuntu app? A: Some popular color schemes for the WSL Ubuntu app include the "solarized" color scheme, the "monokai" color scheme, and the "gnome-terminal" color scheme.
Q: How do I apply a customized color scheme to the WSL Ubuntu app? A: To apply a customized color scheme to the WSL Ubuntu app, you can use the dircolors command with the -p option followed by the name of the color scheme file.

Here are some related articles about setting colors on your WSL Ubuntu app:

How to Customize the Color Scheme of Your WSL Ubuntu App
How to Use the dircolors Command to Customize the Color Scheme of Your WSL Ubuntu App
How to Apply a Customized Color Scheme to the WSL Ubuntu App

References

Here are some references for setting colors on your WSL Ubuntu app:

Ubuntu Documentation: Customizing the Color Scheme
WSL Documentation: Customizing the Color Scheme
dircolors Command: Customizing the Color Scheme
WSL Ubuntu App Color Scheme Q&A =====================================

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored how to set colors on your WSL Ubuntu app and make it more readable. However, we know that you may have some questions about customizing the color scheme of your WSL Ubuntu app. In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about setting colors on your WSL Ubuntu app.

Q: What is the default color scheme of the WSL Ubuntu app?

A: The default color scheme of the WSL Ubuntu app is a blue color on a black background. This can be challenging to read, especially for those with color blindness.

Q: Why is the default color scheme a problem?

A: The default color scheme is a problem for several reasons:

Color blindness: The blue color on a black background can be difficult to read for those with color blindness.
Eye strain: The high contrast between the blue color and the black background can cause eye strain and fatigue.
Accessibility: The default color scheme can make it difficult for users with visual impairments to read and navigate the WSL Ubuntu app.

Q: How do I customize the color scheme of my WSL Ubuntu app?

A: To customize the color scheme of your WSL Ubuntu app, you can use the dircolors command with the -p option followed by the name of a color scheme file.

Q: What are some popular color schemes for the WSL Ubuntu app?

A: Some popular color schemes for the WSL Ubuntu app include the "solarized" color scheme, the "monokai" color scheme, and the "gnome-terminal" color scheme.

Q: How do I apply a customized color scheme to the WSL Ubuntu app?

A: To apply a customized color scheme to the WSL Ubuntu app, you can use the dircolors command with the -p option followed by the name of the color scheme file.

Q: Can I use a different terminal emulator to customize the color scheme of my WSL Ubuntu app?

A: Yes, you can use a different terminal emulator to customize the color scheme of your WSL Ubuntu app. For example, you can use the "GNOME Terminal" emulator to customize the color scheme.

Q: How do I customize the color scheme of my WSL Ubuntu app using a different terminal emulator?

A: To customize the color scheme of your WSL Ubuntu app using a different terminal emulator, you can follow the same steps as above, but use the terminal emulator of your choice.

Q: Can I save my customized color scheme for future use?

A: Yes, you can save your customized color scheme for future use by saving the color scheme file to a location of your choice.

Q: How do I save my customized color scheme for future use?

A: To save your customized color scheme for future use, you can use the dircolors command with the -p option followed by the name of the color scheme file and the > symbol to save the file to a location of your choice.

Q: Can I use a different color scheme file to customize the color scheme of my WSL Ubuntu app?

A: Yes, you can use a different color scheme file to customize the color scheme of your WSL Ubuntu app. For example, you can use the "monokai" color scheme file to customize the color scheme.

Q: How do I use a different color scheme file to customize the color scheme of my WSL Ubuntu app?

A: To use a different color scheme file to customize the color scheme of your WSL Ubuntu app, you can use the dircolors command with the -p option followed by the name of the color scheme file.