# How to Make MacOS Terminal Beautiful With Background Image

## Introduction

MacOS's default Terminal as of it is, is pretty boring and not very good to look at.

It's just some text on a solid background.

The easiest way to customise your terminal is to add a background.

Following are the steps for the same:

## Install Iterm2

Iterm2 is a terminal emulator, does everything the default Terminal does and more.

[https://iterm2.com](https://iterm2.com)

## Transparency

**Iterm -> Preferences -> Profiles -> Window -> Transparency**

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1672337957531/93fa31d0-8ce3-4b72-98dc-bfc18dae2daf.png align="center")

## Full screen

**Iterm Preferences -> General -> Window -> Native full screen windows**

Uncheck it.

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1672337986533/ffd1ef85-d030-4a72-8da2-d12634276d9e.png align="center")

Use `Cmd + Return/Enter` to get in the fullscreen mode.

## Desktop Picture

Now just add a nice desktop picture and done.

You have a nice background for your terminal.

## Other tips

* Don't open other apps on the desktop with Iterm for best look and feel.
    
* Bind Iterm2 to a desktop & turn on desktop shortcuts in **Keyboard -> Keyboard shortcuts -> Mission Control -> Switch to Desktop #**
    

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1672337998719/b6aac974-2917-4bc5-b428-361cf9f64a55.png align="center")

Binding an app to a desktop

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1672338056005/2b1ad7c6-b034-432b-9aa8-ec1d528944f2.png align="center")

Desktop Keyboard Shortuts

## Final result

![](https://cdn.hashnode.com/res/hashnode/image/upload/v1672338072191/be528036-aa76-48c6-92e6-7ca6dc7e7621.png align="center")