Unlock VSCode Terminal IntelliSense

VSCode's integrated terminal now features powerful IntelliSense that provides context-aware suggestions for commands, files, folders, git branches, and arguments as you type. This productivity booster requires enabling the terminal.integrated.suggest.enabled setting and ensuring shell integration is active.

Shell integration automatically activates for supported shells (bash, zsh, fish, pwsh, Git Bash) when launched from VSCode, enabling command detection and enhanced completions.

Quick Enable Steps

Follow these steps to activate terminal suggestions immediately:

Open VSCode Settings (Ctrl+, or Cmd+,)
Search for "terminal integrated suggest"
Check the box for Terminal › Integrated: Suggest: Enabled
Restart your terminal (`Ctrl+Shift+``) or reload window

Once enabled, type commands like git checkout and watch branch names appear, or navigate directories with cdand see folder suggestions via Tab to accept.

Advanced Configuration Options

Fine-tune the IntelliSense behavior with these key settings:

"terminal.integrated.suggest.enabled": true,
"terminal.integrated.suggest.quickSuggestions": true,
"terminal.integrated.suggest.suggestOnTriggerCharacters": true,
"terminal.integrated.suggest.selectionMode": "insertItem"

quickSuggestions: Auto-show based on command line content
suggestOnTriggerCharacters: Trigger on -, /, space
runOnEnter: Execute command with Enter (not just Tab)
upArrowNavigatesHistory: Use ↑ for shell history instead of cycling suggestions

Shell Integration Setup

For optimal performance, ensure shell integration works correctly:

Automatic (Recommended):

"terminal.integrated.shellIntegration.enabled": true

Manual (for complex setups):
Add to ~/.bashrc (bash/zsh/Git Bash):

[[ "$TERM_PROGRAM" == "vscode" ]] && . "$(code --locate-shell-integration-path bash)"

Verify status by hovering terminal tabs - "Rich" quality indicates full command detection.

Productivity Power Moves

With suggestions enabled, master these workflows:

Git: git co → Tab through branches instantly
Navigation: cd src/com → Tab completes paths dynamically
Commands: npm i → suggests packages from package.json
Manual trigger: Ctrl+Space for on-demand completions
Recent commands: Ctrl+Alt+R runs from history

Terminal IntelliSense transforms VSCode into a command-line superpower, reducing typing by 50%+ for common workflows.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

No suggestions appearing?

Verify terminal.integrated.suggest.enabled: true
Check shell integration quality (hover terminal tab)
Clear cached globals: Terminal: Clear Suggest Cached Globals
Restart VSCode or run Developer: Reload Window