Understanding iTerm2 Profiles

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 142 views

Introduction

iTerm2 is a popular terminal emulator for macOS that offers a wide range of features and customization options. One of the key features of iTerm2 is its ability to create profiles, which allow users to customize the appearance and behavior of the terminal window. In this article, we will explore the possibility of creating iTerm2 profiles that can open the app windows at a specific screen location.

Understanding iTerm2 Profiles

iTerm2 profiles are a powerful feature that allows users to customize the appearance and behavior of the terminal window. Profiles can be used to set the font, color scheme, and other settings for the terminal window. They can also be used to set the size and position of the terminal window.

Setting the Number of Tabs and Windows

You mentioned that you know how to set the number of tabs and windows in an iTerm2 profile. This is a great starting point, as it allows you to customize the layout of the terminal window. However, setting the number of tabs and windows is only half the battle. To create a profile that opens the app windows at a specific screen location, you will need to use a combination of settings and automation tools.

Using Automation Tools

Automation tools, such as AppleScript or Automator, can be used to create custom actions that can be triggered by an iTerm2 profile. These actions can be used to set the position and size of the terminal window, as well as to perform other tasks.

Creating a Custom Action

To create a custom action that sets the position and size of the terminal window, you will need to use AppleScript or Automator. Here is an example of how to create a custom action using AppleScript:

tell application "iTerm2"
    activate
    set the_window to (first window whose index is 1)
    set the_window's bounds to {100, 100, 800, 600}
end tell

This script will set the position and size of the first terminal window to 100x100 (top-left corner) and 800x600 (size).

Adding the Custom Action to an iTerm2 Profile

Once you have created the custom action, you can add it to an iTerm2 profile. To do this, follow these steps:

Open the iTerm2 preferences by clicking on the iTerm2 menu and selecting "Preferences".
Click on the "Profiles" tab.
Click on the "+" button to create a new profile.
Give the profile a name and select the settings you want to use.
Click on the "Actions" tab.
Click on the "+" button to add a new action.
Select the custom action you created earlier.
Click "OK" to save the profile.

Using a Shell Script

Another way to create a custom action is to use a shell script. Shell scripts can be used to perform a wide range of tasks, including setting the position and size of the terminal window.

Here is an example of a shell script that sets the position and size of the terminal window:

#!/bin/bash
osascript -e 'tell application "iTerm2" to set the_window to (first window whose index is 1) to set the_window&#39;s bounds to {100, 100, 800, 600}'

This script will set the position and size of the first terminal window to 100x100 (top-left corner) and 800x600 (size).

Adding the Shell Script to an iTerm2 Profile

To add the shell script to an iTerm2 profile, follow these steps:

Open the iTerm2 preferences by clicking on the iTerm2 menu and selecting "Preferences".
Click on the "Profiles" tab.
Click on the "+" button to create a new profile.
Give the profile a name and select the settings you want to use.
Click on the "Actions" tab.
Click on the "+" button to add a new action.
Select the shell script you created earlier.
Click "OK" to save the profile.

Conclusion

In this article, we explored the possibility of creating iTerm2 profiles that can open the app windows at a specific screen location. We discussed the use of automation tools, such as AppleScript and Automator, to create custom actions that can be triggered by an iTerm2 profile. We also discussed the use of shell scripts to perform a wide range of tasks, including setting the position and size of the terminal window. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to create an iTerm2 profile that opens the app windows at a specific screen location.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter any issues while creating an iTerm2 profile that opens the app windows at a specific screen location, here are some troubleshooting tips:

Make sure that the automation tool you are using is properly configured.
Make sure that the shell script you are using is properly formatted.
Make sure that the profile you are creating is properly configured.
Try using a different automation tool or shell script.
Try using a different profile.

Additional Resources

For more information on creating iTerm2 profiles, you can refer to the following resources:

The iTerm2 documentation: https://iterm2.com/documentation/
The AppleScript documentation: https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/AppleScript/Conceptual/AppleScriptLangGuide/
The Automator documentation: https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/AppleScript/Conceptual/AppleScriptLangGuide/

Conclusion

Introduction

In our previous article, we explored the possibility of creating iTerm2 profiles that can open the app windows at a specific screen location. We discussed the use of automation tools, such as AppleScript and Automator, to create custom actions that can be triggered by an iTerm2 profile. We also discussed the use of shell scripts to perform a wide range of tasks, including setting the position and size of the terminal window.

In this article, we will answer some of the most frequently asked questions about creating iTerm2 profiles that open app windows at a specific screen location.

Q: What is the difference between an iTerm2 profile and a custom action?

A: An iTerm2 profile is a set of settings that can be applied to the terminal window, such as the font, color scheme, and size. A custom action, on the other hand, is a script or command that can be triggered by an iTerm2 profile to perform a specific task, such as setting the position and size of the terminal window.

Q: How do I create a custom action using AppleScript?

A: To create a custom action using AppleScript, you will need to write a script that uses the AppleScript language to perform the desired task. For example, to set the position and size of the terminal window, you can use the following script:

tell application "iTerm2"
    activate
    set the_window to (first window whose index is 1)
    set the_window's bounds to {100, 100, 800, 600}
end tell

Q: How do I add a custom action to an iTerm2 profile?

A: To add a custom action to an iTerm2 profile, follow these steps:

Open the iTerm2 preferences by clicking on the iTerm2 menu and selecting "Preferences".
Click on the "Profiles" tab.
Click on the "+" button to create a new profile.
Give the profile a name and select the settings you want to use.
Click on the "Actions" tab.
Click on the "+" button to add a new action.
Select the custom action you created earlier.
Click "OK" to save the profile.

Q: Can I use a shell script to create a custom action?

A: Yes, you can use a shell script to create a custom action. To do this, you will need to write a script that uses the shell language to perform the desired task. For example, to set the position and size of the terminal window, you can use the following script:

#!/bin/bash
osascript -e 'tell application "iTerm2" to set the_window to (first window whose index is 1) to set the_window&#39;s bounds to {100, 100, 800, 600}'

Q: How do I add a shell script to an iTerm2 profile?

A: To add a shell script to an iTerm2 profile, follow these steps:

Open the iTerm2 preferences by clicking on the iTerm2 menu and selecting "Preferences".
Click on the "Profiles" tab.
Click on the "+" button to create a new profile.
Give the profile a name and select the settings you want to use.
Click on the "Actions" tab.
Click on the "+" button to add a new action.
Select the shell script you created earlier.
Click "OK" to save the profile.

Q: Can I use multiple custom actions in an iTerm2 profile?

A: Yes, you can use multiple custom actions in an iTerm2 profile. To do this, follow these steps:

Open the iTerm2 preferences by clicking on the iTerm2 menu and selecting "Preferences".
Click on the "Profiles" tab.
Click on the "+" button to create a new profile.
Give the profile a name and select the settings you want to use.
Click on the "Actions" tab.
Click on the "+" button to add a new action.
Select the first custom action you created.
Click "Add" to add the action to the profile.
Repeat steps 6-8 for each additional custom action you want to add.
Click "OK" to save the profile.

Q: Can I use a custom action to perform multiple tasks?

A: Yes, you can use a custom action to perform multiple tasks. To do this, you can write a script that uses the AppleScript or shell language to perform multiple tasks. For example, to set the position and size of the terminal window and also change the font, you can use the following script:

tell application "iTerm2"
    activate
    set the_window to (first window whose index is 1)
    set the_window's bounds to {100, 100, 800, 600}
    set the_window's font to "Menlo"
end tell

Conclusion

In this article, we answered some of the most frequently asked questions about creating iTerm2 profiles that open app windows at a specific screen location. We discussed the use of automation tools, such as AppleScript and Automator, to create custom actions that can be triggered by an iTerm2 profile. We also discussed the use of shell scripts to perform a wide range of tasks, including setting the position and size of the terminal window. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to create an iTerm2 profile that meets your needs.

Additional Resources

For more information on creating iTerm2 profiles, you can refer to the following resources:

The iTerm2 documentation: https://iterm2.com/documentation/
The AppleScript documentation: https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/AppleScript/Conceptual/AppleScriptLangGuide/
The Automator documentation: https://developer.apple.com/library/archive/documentation/AppleScript/Conceptual/AppleScriptLangGuide/

Conclusion

In conclusion, creating an iTerm2 profile that opens app windows at a specific screen location is a complex task that requires a combination of automation tools and shell scripts. By following the steps outlined in this article, you should be able to create an iTerm2 profile that meets your needs. If you encounter any issues, be sure to refer to the troubleshooting tips and additional resources provided in this article.