When I attempt to use this command [...] I get the following: | was unexpected at this time.
Windows often parses things differently in different contexts (e.g. command line, batch file, run dialog, shortcuts). This particular notation (|||
) doesn't parse correctly at the command line.
I find it strange they use deprecated commands in their examples and I have not been able to find anything on the internet showing use of -runlist
anywhere.
As noted in the comments below, -runlist
is a current command.
Also, I believe ConEmu is still essentially a one-person project (i.e. smallish), so a lack of examples outside the official documentation wouldn't seem surprising to me (though the author does answer questions here).
Can someone please show me a proper example of how to get -runlist
functional?
From the official documentation:
Example 3 - Win+R (Windows Run
dialog)
ConEmu -runlist cmd -cur_console:fn ||| cmd -cur_console:s1TVn ||| cmd -cur_console:s1THn ||| cmd -cur_console:s2THn
Example 3 - Windows Shortcut (Target)
ConEmu -runlist cmd -cur_console:fn ||| cmd -cur_console:s1TVn ||| cmd -cur_console:s1THn ||| cmd -cur_console:s2THn
-runlist commands
- Windows Batch File (or CMD Window)
ConEmu -runlist cmd -cur_console:fn ^|^|^| cmd -cur_console:s1TVn ^|^|^| cmd -cur_console:s1THn ^|^|^| cmd -cur_console:s2THn
Example 5 (modified) - Windows Command Prompt (cmd.exe
)
start "" "ConEmu" -runlist cmd -cur_console:fn ^|^|^| cmd -cur_console:s1TVn ^|^|^| cmd -cur_console:s1THn ^|^|^| -cur_console:s2THn
Note that Example 5 is also apparently meant to be used in batch files. In practice, however, calling ConEmu
directly in a batch file (rather than using Windows start) worked for me, at least with the example command given. Your experiences may vary.
It is also likely worth mentioning that |||
isn't treated any differently by ConEmu than in it is in a normal CMD window. So you will still need to use e.g. the third and fourth examples (with escaped |
[i.e. ^|
], above) if you wish to spawn a new ConEmu window split into four CMD windows from ConEmu itself.
ex. Escaped Pipes in ConEmu

ex. Escaped Pipes (Result)
