I get really frustrated with the default Windows command line shell: cmd.exe.

I have two major problems with it. First, I can’t resize the window, or manipulate it in nice and reasonable manner. Second, I’m used to linux and mac shells based off of bash and I hate having to switch between a dos like shell.

So to solve this solution I use Console and Cygwin. Console is a better shell window and Cygwin gives a unix-like environment for Windows.

• Console
• Cygwin

Here’s how I got them to work together

• First install Cygwin.
• Second download the latest Console beta.
• Extract the Console release (currently beta) where you prefer.
• Run Console.
• Go to Edit -> Settings
• Under the “Console” settings, point the Shell to Cygwin.bat (eg. C:\cygwin\Cygwin.bat).
• Press Ok and close Console.
• Create a shortcut for Console and run it.

You should see Cygwin running within Console. The window is resizable in the way you expect it to be; just hover your mouse over the lower right hand corner and resize to your content. You can even create new tabs and press ctrl+tab to cycle through your Cygwin tabs.