JupyterLab Shell Config

To change the default shell used by terminals in JupyterLab (e.g., to /bin/bash instead of the default shell), you'll need to modify the Jupyter Server configuration file.

1. Locate or Create the Jupyter Server Configuration File

The default location for the Jupyter Server configuration file is:

~/.jupyter/jupyter_server_config.json

If this file does not exist, you can generate it manually. You do not need to use a --generate-config command (which applies to Python config .py files), simply create the JSON file manually if needed.

2. Edit the Configuration File

Open the file in a text editor:

nano ~/.jupyter/jupyter_server_config.json

If the file does not exist, create it with the following contents:

{
  "ServerApp": {
    "terminado_settings": {
      "shell_command": ["/bin/bash"]
    }
  }
}

If the file already exists, merge the "ServerApp" section into the existing JSON structure.

tip

Make sure the JSON syntax is valid — use proper commas and nesting.

Alternative method

If the json is creating issue and alternative is to make the change in jupyter_server_config.py

locate terminado_settings: {} and change it to

terminado_settings: {"shell_command": ["/bin/bash"]}

3. Restart JupyterLab

After saving the changes, restart JupyterLab for the changes to take effect:

jupyter lab

Now, when you open a new terminal in JupyterLab, it will use /bin/bash by default.

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Notes

• Replace /bin/bash with any shell you prefer, e.g., /bin/zsh or /usr/bin/fish.
• This setting affects all new terminal sessions started within JupyterLab.
• This configuration applies to Jupyter Server, which underpins JupyterLab.

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