Changing default shell window and shell font size

I used to know how to do this with prior versions of the Amiga OS. Has it changed with OS4?

Newshell creates a very shallow shell windows only a few lines deep but extending the full width of my 1920-wide screen. I'd like th change the default window size and also specify a larger font.

A double thank you to the first responder to jog my memory or create a new one if it really has changed.

@mbrantley

For the size and position of the shell window you can specify what you like in the tooltypes of the Shell icon. There is a line with something like: x_pos/y_pos/width/height/windows title and some other option there.

The shell font can be set in the Fonts prefs program. Sorry, I don't have a working AmigaOS setup right now so can't be more specific.

@emeck

Doh! The font change was too easy.

Changed shell size in the icon tooltypes like you said. Works great for launching a shell from Workbench. But how do I change the default shell size when issuing the CLI command "newshell"? That's what I can't remember, and that's what the AddMenu thingie I'm using has added to my custom Workbench menus.

Thanks!

@mbrantley

Try something like

newshell "con:x_pos/y_pos/width/height/"

There are other options so don't know how many slashes must be at the end.

This thread may be useful for what you need.

My apologies for starting this thread in the wrong forum. Can it be easily moved?

@mbrantley

I don't think it is the wrong forum. It is ok to ask for help about OS4 here.

Edit: my mistake; just noticed is under Games forum

@emeck

OK, thanks. I think you've put me onto the right path. It's way beyond late here, so I'll give it a go tomorrow. Headed for bed now after a couple of victories in making my SamFlex into my new Amiga.

@mbrantley

I have the line:

"alias newcli newcli WINDOW=CON:80/50/750/250/Amiga_Shell from s:shell-startup"

in shell-startup.

Then if I type newcli it always opens up a window of my preferred size.

@BillE

I'm not in front of my 68k-OS3.9-Amigas, but wasn't there an ENV:-variable where you can set those settings permanently?

@mbrantley

If you put
WINDOW=CON:0/685/806/297/AmigaShell/CLOSE
as tooltype in Sys:System/Shell all your shells will open up a the given place and size. Using it this way since years

Moved appropriately

Simon

@mbrantley

I added some lines to my S:Shell-startup file.

stack=3002360
setfont "DejaVu Sans Mono Oblique" 14 scale
ram:

Not sure if I really need the "scale" option, but every shell uses that font.

@Raziel

Quote:

I have that too and had it for years. I think there were some circumstances where the shell still reverted to a default setting which was why I also added the newcli alias into my shell-startup file.

@BillE

If you have the alias "newcli" use "newcli", then what prevents an infinite loop?

@MickJT

You wont because the alias is set once when opening a shell. Typing newcli from within that shell will start a new shell but again, the alias will be set up just the once for that new shell. It does not iterate.

@BillE

I've never quite understood it and I haven't ever tried to find out why, but there is a difference between "newcli" and "newshell". The difference is in how DOS starts up the shell AFAIK. As I understand it, "newcli" opens an "Initial CLI" while "newshell" opens a proper Shell.
There are supposed to be extras in the NewShell that you don't get in the CLI, they are probably associated with passing of local and global variables.

They are not just synonyms.

@BillE

I think MickJT was referring to the fact that your alias definition for 'newcli' is using 'newcli' which could have triggered a recursive definition.