Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE)

The Windows PowerShell Integrated Scripting Environment (ISE) is a host application that enables you to run commands, write, test and debug scripts in a friendly, syntax-colored, Unicode-compliant environment.

What does it have to offer?

1. A command pane for running interactive commands, just as you would in the Windows PowerShell console. Just type a command and press Enter. The output appears in a separate output pane.

2. A script pane to compose, edit, debug, and run functions, and scripts.

3. Multiple tabs, each with its own command and script pane to allow you to work on one or several tasks independently.

4. The ability to edit text in complex scripts and right-to-left languages.

5. You can extend every aspect of ISE through its underlying scripting object model with your own code.

6. Separate profile.

Note: ISE is a WPF application and it requires .NET 3.5.

Check the Windows PowerShell Team recent posts for more information:

My PowerShell_ISE Profile
My Powershell_ISE Profile Part 2
PowerShell ISE Can Do a Lot More Than You Think

One thing to keep in mind, ISE is not perfect and is in constant developing by the PowerShell Team. Don't hesitate to tell what you think if you encounter any problem/bug when you use it or have any suggestion/feature you would like to have, just submit your feedback on Microsoft Connect. Remember, this is a CTP version and the team is hoping to hear from you and improve the product based on your feedback.

Here is a simple utility function I have in my profile to load ISE:

function Invoke-ISE{     
    param (     
        [string[]]$file,    
        [string]$path="$pshome\powershell_ise.exe"   
    )     
   
     if($file){    
        foreach($f in $file){    
            & $path (resolve-path $f)    
        }    
     } else {    
        & $path        
     }    
}     
   
Set-Alias ISE Invoke-ISE  

# this will launch a fresh blank instance of ISE (using the function alias)
PS > ise

# load ISE with a bunch of scripts ready to be edited
PS > ise (dir *.ps1)