How to use the new user interface for Azure Cloud Shell
This document explains how to use the Cloud Shell window. Cloud Shell recently updated the user interface for the Cloud Shell terminal window. The new toolbar uses text-based menu items rather than icons, making it easier to find the desired action.
Switch between Bash and PowerShell
Use the environment selector in the Cloud Shell toolbar to switch between Bash and PowerShell environments. When Cloud Shell is configured to start in PowerShell, the button is labeled Switch to Bash. When Cloud Shell is configured to start in Bash, the button is labeled Switch to PowerShell.
Restart Cloud Shell
Select the restart icon in the Cloud Shell toolbar to reset machine state.
Warning
Restarting Cloud Shell resets machine state and any files not persisted in an Azure fileshare are lost.
Settings menu
The Settings menu has submenus that allow you to change the size of text, select a different font, choose a different color scheme, or reset your user settings. Your selection is persisted across sessions unless you select Reset User Settings.
When you select Reset User Settings, the current session is closed and your settings are reset. You're prompted to restart as if this is your first time using Cloud Shell.
Manage files menu
The Manage files menu contains items to Upload or Download files. The Open file share button opens the Azure portal view of your Cloud Shell file share.
- When you select Upload, Cloud Shell opens a file dialog box. Use this file dialog to browse
to the files on your local computer, select the desired file, and select the Open button. The
file is uploaded into the
/home/userdirectory. - When you select Download, Cloud Shell displays a form for selecting the file to download.
Enter the fully qualified file path into the pop-up window. For example, the path under the
/home/userdirectory that shows up by default. Then, select the Download button.
Note
File and path names are case sensitive in Cloud Shell. Double check your casing in your file path.
New session button
Cloud Shell allows you to have multiple concurrent sessions across browser tabs. Each session runs as a separate process on the same machine. When exiting Cloud Shell, be sure to exit from each session window as each process runs independently.
To start a new session, select New session button on toolbar. A new browser tab opens with another session connected to the existing container.
Cloud Shell editor button
The Cloud Shell editor is a browser-based text editor that is optimized for managing and editing. The editor uses the Classic user interface. When you select the Editor button, Cloud Shell displays a confirmation form before switching you to the Classic user experience. Select the Confirm button to continue.
For more information, see [Using the Azure Cloud Shell editor][11].
Web preview menu
The Web preview feature allows you to open ports on your Cloud Shell container to communicate with running applications. The Web preview menu allows you to enter the port number that you want to open.
Select Open port to only open the port. Select Open and browse to open the port and preview the port in a new browser tab.
After opening a port, the Web preview menu allows you to connect to the open port, close the port, or open another port.
To preview an open port in a new tab, select the web preview icon on the top left of the window then select Preview port <number>.
To close the open port, select the web preview icon on the top left of the window the select Close port <number>.
Help menu
The Help menu contains links to the Cloud Shell and other related documentation and Cloud Shell feedback form.
Minimize, maximize, or close the Cloud Shell window
The icons on the top right of the window are used to manage the state of the Cloud Shell window.
When you select the Minimize button, the Cloud Shell terminal is hidden and the Azure portal is displayed. The Cloud Shell session is still running. Select the Cloud Shell icon again to unhide the terminal window.
When you select the Maximize button, the Azure portal is hidden and the terminal window fills the browser.
When you select the Close button, the Cloud Shell session is terminated.
Copy and paste
- Windows: Ctrl+c to copy is supported but use
Shift+Insert to paste.
- The FireFox browser might not support clipboard permissions properly.
- macOS: Cmd+c to copy and Cmd+v to paste.
- Linux: Ctrl+c to copy and Ctrl+Shift+v to paste.
Note
If no text is selected when you type Ctrl+c, Cloud Shell sends the Ctrl C
character to the shell. This could terminate the currently running command.
Resize Cloud Shell window
Drag the top edge of the toolbar up or down to resize the Cloud Shell window.
Scrolling text display
Scroll with your mouse or touchpad to move terminal text.
Exit command
The exit command terminates the active session. Cloud Shell also terminates your session after 20
minutes without interaction.