Tab Profiles
One click: right shell, right directory, right env vars. Context switching without the switching.
Questions this answers
- How do I set a default directory for a terminal tab?
- Can terminal tabs have different shells?
- How to set per-tab environment variables in a terminal?
- Which terminal supports per-tab configuration profiles?
How it works
Tab profiles let you preconfigure the shell, starting directory, and environment variables for new tabs. Instead of opening a tab and then navigating to your project directory or switching shells, you open a tab with a profile that drops you exactly where you need to be with the right environment already set.
Each profile specifies a shell (bash, zsh, fish, or any executable), a working directory, and a set of environment variables. When you create a new tab from a profile, Chau7 launches the specified shell in the specified directory with the specified environment layered on top of your system defaults. Profiles are saved in Chau7's settings and available from the tab creation menu.
Why it matters
Developers working on multiple projects constantly switch contexts: different directories, different Node versions, different environment variables. Tab profiles let you define a complete tab configuration once and launch it with a click. It is project bookmarks for your terminal.
Frequently asked questions
Can I share tab profiles with my team?
Tab profiles are stored in Chau7's local settings. Export and import functionality allows you to share profile configurations with teammates who use Chau7.
Do environment variables in profiles override system variables?
Yes. Profile environment variables are layered on top of the system environment. If a variable exists in both, the profile value takes precedence for that tab.
Can I set a profile as the default for new tabs?
Yes. You can designate any profile as the default, and all new tabs will use that profile's shell, directory, and environment configuration unless you explicitly choose a different one.