Take Command / TCC / CMDebug / TCC-RT Version 36 Released

A Modern and More Capable Take Command

We've been quiet here at JP Software for the last few months. But we weren't resting; we have been rewriting Take Command from the ground up, and now we're ready to show you the results of our work.

Take Command v36 Introduces Windows Pseudoconsole Support

Take Command Version 36 arrives with a long‑awaited modernization: native support for Windows 10/11 pseudoconsoles (ConPTY). This upgrade is the most significant architectural enhancement in Take Command's history, bringing Take Command fully into alignment with the modern Windows terminal ecosystem.

Why Pseudoconsoles Matter

Pseudoconsoles (also known as ConPTY) are a Windows feature that allows terminal applications such as Take Command to act as the host for character‑mode programs. Instead of relying on the traditional conhost.exe window, a pseudoconsole lets the terminal itself manage rendering, input, and output. This is the same technology powering Windows Terminal -- though we think Take Command does it better! 

For Take Command users, this means:

·        Better compatibility with modern command‑line tools

·        Improved display rendering performance

·        Full support for ANSI and VT sequences

·        A more flexible and future‑proof terminal architecture

Expanded Color and Text Capabilities

The new Take Command pseudoconsole tab windows unlock a dramatically richer visual experience:

·        16‑million‑color foreground and background

·        Full XTerm 256‑color compatibility

·        Legacy 16‑color mode for older scripts

·        Enhanced character output, including:

·        Bold

·        Italic

·        Underline

·        Strikethrough

These improvements make Take Command a far more expressive environment for tools that rely on color, formatting, or advanced VT sequences.

Dual Console Modes: The Best of Both Worlds

One of the standout features in v36 is the ability to mix and match console types. Users can open tabs using:

·        Legacy conhost mode (as in Take Command v35 and earlier)

·        New ConPTY‑based pseudoconsoles

This hybrid approach makes it easy to transition workflows gradually or maintain compatibility with older tools while benefiting from modern terminal capabilities. 

What Else is New?

The addition of pseudoconsole support is part of a broader modernization effort in v36, which also includes:

·        Redesigned installers and updaters

·        An updated GUI framework

·        An updated batch debugger, editor and other components

·        Updated the AI support for GPT, and added Claude and Gemini

·        Performance, error checking, and security optimizations across the suite

·        Support for easily creating TCC plugins in any .NET language

·        A completely rewritten PowerShell integration - now you can call PowerShell from TCC, and TCC from PowerShell

·        Improvements for XDIR and XHISTORY

·        Enhancements in the regular expression analyzer to make creating regexes easier

You can see all of the new features in Take Command and TCC v36 in our online help:

What's New in Version 36 - jpsoft.com

But pseudoconsoles are the star of this release — a foundational upgrade that positions Take Command for the next decade of Windows command‑line innovation.