---
name: "i3-sensible-terminal"
section: "1"
platform: "linux"
package: "i3-wm"
version: "4.25.1-1"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/i3-sensible-terminal"
---

# i3-sensible-terminal(1)

launches $TERMINAL with fallbacks

## NAME

i3-sensible-terminal - launches $TERMINAL with fallbacks

## SYNOPSIS

i3-sensible-terminal \[arguments\]

## DESCRIPTION

i3-sensible-terminal is invoked in the i3 default config to start a terminal. This wrapper script is necessary since there is no distribution-independent terminal launcher (but for example Debian has x-terminal-emulator). Distribution packagers are responsible for shipping this script in a way which is appropriate for the distribution.

It tries to start one of the following (in that order):

• $TERMINAL (this is a non-standard variable)

• x-terminal-emulator (only present on Debian and derivatives)

• mate-terminal

• gnome-terminal

• terminator

• xfce4-terminal

• urxvt

• rxvt

• termit

• Eterm

• aterm

• uxterm

• xterm

• roxterm

• termite

• lxterminal

• terminology

• st

• qterminal

• lilyterm

• tilix

• terminix

• konsole

• kitty

• guake

• tilda

• alacritty

• hyper

Please don’t complain about the order: If the user has any preference, they will have $TERMINAL set or modified their i3 configuration file.

## SEE ALSO

[i3(1)](/i3/1.md)

## AUTHOR

Michael Stapelberg and contributors