Terminal Icon for Node.js: How to Boost Efficiency with Custom Icons

Most developers spend hours each day inside the terminal. If you’re like many developers, you probably have several tabs open at this point, one of which is running a Node.js server, one running npm build, and possibly a third for Git. 

Over time, they all blend together. That’s exactly where custom terminal icons come in handy.

With a small change, you can give your Node.js terminal sessions a unique icon to ease finding and switching between them. It’s a little productivity hack that pays off big time when you’re juggling multiple projects.

Why Bother with Custom Icons in the First Place?

The terminal is where developers live. Customizing it to work the way you do can be a productivity lifesaver and reduce mistakes. What makes using custom icons on your terminal tabs such a game-changer? Let’s see

Quick Identification

One of the most significant advantages of custom terminal icons is the ability to quickly identify your running processes. Ever tried to remember which tab is running your Node server vs. your database? An icon solves that instantly. With a simple visual cue, you can instantly know which tab is running your Node server and which is dealing with your database.

Fewer Mistakes

Anyone who has worked in the terminal knows the horror of mistakenly stopping the wrong process. Without a clear distinction, you might close the wrong tab, causing delays or system downtime. With a terminal icon for Node.js, no more accidentally killing the wrong process. A Node logo on the tab helps you know exactly what’s running. This is particularly useful when dealing with multi-server environments or running multiple instances of Node.js servers.

Cleaner Workflow

For devs who multitask across multiple environments, visual cues save mental energy. The cluttered terminal can often lead to distractions or unnecessary confusion. Adding icons creates a more organized, visual workflow. These visual cues allow you to focus on your work, not on figuring out which tab corresponds to which process.

Imagine each project having its own visual “tag.” Database runs with a DB logo, Node.js with its green swirl logo, and your frontend with a React logo. That’s way easier to manage.

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Step-by-Step Guide: Setting Up a Custom Terminal Icon for Node.js

Now let’s get into the details about adding a custom icon to your Node.js terminal sessions. We’ll cover macOS (with iTerm2), Windows (Windows Terminal), and VS Code’s integrated terminal.

Step 1: Grab a Node.js Icon

The first step is to get a Node.js logo for your terminal icon. If you are looking for a high-quality logo in SVG or PNG formats, then many free resources like Icons8 or the official Node.js artwork repository are available.

When choosing an icon, keep it simple. Avoid detailed designs, as they can become unclear at smaller tab sizes. Opt for flat, minimalistic designs. This ensures clarity when the icon is scaled down.

For Node.js, the green swirl logo is commonly used and easily recognizable. You can even use a monochrome version of it for consistency across your terminal setup.

Step 2: Platform-Specific Customization

Once you have the logo of your choice, you will need to set it up differently based on the terminal application/environment that is being used. Here is how you can do it for iTerm2 in macOS, for VS Code Integrated Terminal, and Windows Terminal.

2.1: Setting Up in iTerm2 (macOS)

If you’re on macOS and using iTerm2 :

1. Open Preferences > Profiles.
2. Choose the profile you’re using for Node projects.
3. In the General tab, you’ll see an option to upload a custom icon.
4. Drop in your Node.js logo.

Now every time you launch a new tab with that profile, you’ll see the Node.js icon neatly displayed.

2.2: Setting Up in VS Code Integrated Terminal
If you use VS Code’s integrated terminal, you can’t add icons the same way, but you can set custom terminal profiles with labels instead.

Json
"terminal.integrated.profiles": {
  "Node.js": {
    "path": "zsh",
    "args": ["-l"]
  }
},
"terminal.integrated.defaultProfile.osx": "Node.js"

This way, you at least get a “Node.js” labeled tab, which makes navigation cleaner. On macOS, the system icon will also reflect the shell app (e.g., iTerm2, zsh), so the combination works well.

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2.3: Setting Up in Windows Terminal

On Windows, it’s even smoother with Windows Terminal Preview.

• Open Settings.
• Add a new profile for Node.js.
• Under Appearance, upload a custom Node.js icon.

Example profiles.json snippet:

json
{
  "name": "Node.js",
  "commandline": "C:/Program Files/nodejs/node.exe",
  "icon": "C:/Users/you/Icons/nodejs.ico"
}

Now your Node.js sessions will display the 🟢 Node logo right in the tab menu.

Step 3: Keep It Organized

• Use a color scheme + icon combo (e.g., green for Node, blue for DB, purple for APIs).
• Always save your configs per project, so even if you’re multitasking across 3–4 Node apps, the icon + label tells you which is which.

Your Personal Setup

Here’s how you can set up your terminal to easily switch between different tasks:

• Node.js → Green swirl logo
  
• Postgres → Elephant DB logo
  
• Redis → Red cube logo
  
• React frontend → React atom logo
  

This is what most of our developers follow here at Soft Suave. With this setup, you’ll be able to quickly jump between your frontend, backend, and database tasks without confusion.

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Conclusion

Custom terminal icons might seem like a minor cosmetic tweak, but for developers who live in their terminals, it’s a serious efficiency booster. 

With Node.js projects, especially where multiple apps, servers, and scripts often run at once, custom icons turn your messy terminal into a neatly labeled control panel.

If you haven’t tried it yet, set aside ten minutes to add Node.js icons to your terminal tabs. Trust us, by the end of the week, you’ll wonder how you ever worked without them.

Ramesh Vayavuru

Verified Expert 15+ Years of experience

Ramesh Vayavuru is the Founder & CEO of Soft Suave Technologies, a company dedicated to providing innovative IT solutions for businesses globally. With over 13 years of experience in the industry, Ramesh is passionate about empowering small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through the use of cutting-edge technology.

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