Configure input at the top in Warp

Today we’re releasing two new modes for command line input position in the Warp terminal: input starting at the top and input pinned to the top. 

This has been one of the most highly requested features for Warp since the beta launch, and we’re so glad to make this available for Warp developers.

Let’s go into why we built this and how to try out these new settings.

An ergonomic improvement for the terminal

By default, Warp keeps the input prompt and command line “pinned” to the bottom of the view. This is similar to how inputs work for other work applications like Slack. Your past input and output get grouped together in blocks that flow up and out of view. You can scroll up or navigate up to visit your past commands. However, this is rather unusual behavior for a terminal application. 

Classic terminals typically start with your prompt and command line input initiating at the top of the view. As you enter commands, the output piles up on top, pushing the prompt and command line further down the screen. You can run commands to clear the screen and move your prompt back to the top — which may even become a compulsive habit over time. We love the clear command for a reason.

As one developer who was trying Warp’s beta pointed out, the sheer ergonomics of having your command line input at the bottom of the view are Not Good. Whether you’re starting with the input on the bottom or pushing that input to the bottom as you work, craning your neck to look down is suboptimal compared to keeping the command line at eye level.

So, why not redesign the Warp experience with the input location in mind?

New input position settings in Warp

Now you have the option to ditch Warp’s default “pinned to the bottom” mode and configure your input position to your liking.

Making the input position for Warp more configurable solves problems for developers in two scenarios:

1. If you’re coming over to Warp from a classic terminal, you can now enable a “Classic mode” with input starting at the top. This works exactly like you’d expect, so you don’t have to make an uncomfortable habit change in order to experience the other novel features Warp has to offer.
2. If you’ve been wanting to use Warp but found it to be a literal pain in the neck, you can now enable a uniquely ergonomic “Reverse mode” which keeps input pinned at the top and lets blocks of input/output flow down the page in reversed order. This mode might take some getting used to, but it has the potential to deliver real, quality of life improvements for developers who work in the command line for hours at a time.

“Jump to the bottom of this block”

When using Reverse mode and executing long running tasks, you may find the latest line of your output quickly moves out of view and out of reach. This is a non-issue when your input is pinned to the bottom, but it could get pretty painful when you’re using input pinned to the top. 

To combat this, we’re introducing a new “Jump to bottom of this block” button. This will appear in the bottom left corner of your view when a block with multiple lines of output starts to scroll out of reach. You can use this button (or cmd-shift-down) to teleport to the latest line of that block.

The button itself is pretty unobtrusive, but if you’d like to toggle it off, you can do so under Settings > Appearance > Blocks.

Find the mode that works best for you

Both of these new input modes — “Classic mode” and “Reverse mode” — are available to try today. You’ll find them under your Appearance settings in the latest version of the Warp app.

Take them for a spin and let us know what you think!