diff --git a/Documentation/config.txt b/Documentation/config.txt
index 1ac0ae6adb..b53c994d0a 100644
--- a/Documentation/config.txt
+++ b/Documentation/config.txt
@@ -1058,10 +1058,10 @@ clean.requireForce::
 
 color.branch::
 	A boolean to enable/disable color in the output of
-	linkgit:git-branch[1]. May be set to `always`,
-	`false` (or `never`) or `auto` (or `true`), in which case colors are used
-	only when the output is to a terminal. If unset, then the
-	value of `color.ui` is used (`auto` by default).
+	linkgit:git-branch[1]. May be set to `false` (or `never`) to
+	disable color entirely, `auto` (or `true` or `always`) in which
+	case colors are used only when the output is to a terminal.  If
+	unset, then the value of `color.ui` is used (`auto` by default).
 
 color.branch.<slot>::
 	Use customized color for branch coloration. `<slot>` is one of
@@ -1072,12 +1072,11 @@ color.branch.<slot>::
 
 color.diff::
 	Whether to use ANSI escape sequences to add color to patches.
-	If this is set to `always`, linkgit:git-diff[1],
+	If this is set to `true` or `auto`, linkgit:git-diff[1],
 	linkgit:git-log[1], and linkgit:git-show[1] will use color
-	for all patches.  If it is set to `true` or `auto`, those
-	commands will only use color when output is to the terminal.
-	If unset, then the value of `color.ui` is used (`auto` by
-	default).
+	when output is to the terminal. The value `always` is a
+	historical synonym for `auto`.  If unset, then the value of
+	`color.ui` is used (`auto` by default).
 +
 This does not affect linkgit:git-format-patch[1] or the
 'git-diff-{asterisk}' plumbing commands.  Can be overridden on the
@@ -1141,12 +1140,12 @@ color.grep.<slot>::
 --
 
 color.interactive::
-	When set to `always`, always use colors for interactive prompts
+	When set to `true` or `auto`, use colors for interactive prompts
 	and displays (such as those used by "git-add --interactive" and
-	"git-clean --interactive"). When false (or `never`), never.
-	When set to `true` or `auto`, use colors only when the output is
-	to the terminal. If unset, then the value of `color.ui` is
-	used (`auto` by default).
+	"git-clean --interactive") when the output is to the terminal.
+	When false (or `never`), never show colors. The value `always`
+	is a historical synonym for `auto`.  If unset, then the value of
+	`color.ui` is used (`auto` by default).
 
 color.interactive.<slot>::
 	Use customized color for 'git add --interactive' and 'git clean
@@ -1193,10 +1192,10 @@ color.ui::
 	configuration to set a default for the `--color` option.  Set it
 	to `false` or `never` if you prefer Git commands not to use
 	color unless enabled explicitly with some other configuration
-	or the `--color` option. Set it to `always` if you want all
-	output not intended for machine consumption to use color, to
-	`true` or `auto` (this is the default since Git 1.8.4) if you
-	want such output to use color when written to the terminal.
+	or the `--color` option. Set it to `true` or `auto` to enable
+	color when output is written to the terminal (this is also the
+	default since Git 1.8.4). The value `always` is a historical
+	synonym for `auto`.
 
 column.ui::
 	Specify whether supported commands should output in columns.
diff --git a/Documentation/git-for-each-ref.txt b/Documentation/git-for-each-ref.txt
index 66b4e0a405..cbd0a6212a 100644
--- a/Documentation/git-for-each-ref.txt
+++ b/Documentation/git-for-each-ref.txt
@@ -57,6 +57,11 @@ OPTIONS
 	`xx`; for example `%00` interpolates to `\0` (NUL),
 	`%09` to `\t` (TAB) and `%0a` to `\n` (LF).
 
+--color[=<when>]:
+	Respect any colors specified in the `--format` option. The
+	`<when>` field must be one of `always`, `never`, or `auto` (if
+	`<when>` is absent, behave as if `always` was given).
+
 --shell::
 --perl::
 --python::
diff --git a/Documentation/git-tag.txt b/Documentation/git-tag.txt
index 95e9f391d8..956fc019f9 100644
--- a/Documentation/git-tag.txt
+++ b/Documentation/git-tag.txt
@@ -115,6 +115,11 @@ options for details.
 	variable if it exists, or lexicographic order otherwise. See
 	linkgit:git-config[1].
 
+--color[=<when>]:
+	Respect any colors specified in the `--format` option. The
+	`<when>` field must be one of `always`, `never`, or `auto` (if
+	`<when>` is absent, behave as if `always` was given).
+
 -i::
 --ignore-case::
 	Sorting and filtering tags are case insensitive.
diff --git a/builtin/for-each-ref.c b/builtin/for-each-ref.c
index 5d7c921a77..e931be9ce4 100644
--- a/builtin/for-each-ref.c
+++ b/builtin/for-each-ref.c
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ int cmd_for_each_ref(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		OPT_GROUP(""),
 		OPT_INTEGER( 0 , "count", &maxcount, N_("show only <n> matched refs")),
 		OPT_STRING(  0 , "format", &format.format, N_("format"), N_("format to use for the output")),
+		OPT__COLOR(&format.use_color, N_("respect format colors")),
 		OPT_CALLBACK(0 , "sort", sorting_tail, N_("key"),
 			    N_("field name to sort on"), &parse_opt_ref_sorting),
 		OPT_CALLBACK(0, "points-at", &filter.points_at,
diff --git a/builtin/tag.c b/builtin/tag.c
index 34efba5798..695cb0778e 100644
--- a/builtin/tag.c
+++ b/builtin/tag.c
@@ -411,6 +411,7 @@ int cmd_tag(int argc, const char **argv, const char *prefix)
 		},
 		OPT_STRING(  0 , "format", &format.format, N_("format"),
 			   N_("format to use for the output")),
+		OPT__COLOR(&format.use_color, N_("respect format colors")),
 		OPT_BOOL('i', "ignore-case", &icase, N_("sorting and filtering are case insensitive")),
 		OPT_END()
 	};
diff --git a/color.c b/color.c
index 9ccd954d6b..9c0dc82370 100644
--- a/color.c
+++ b/color.c
@@ -308,7 +308,7 @@ int git_config_colorbool(const char *var, const char *value)
 		if (!strcasecmp(value, "never"))
 			return 0;
 		if (!strcasecmp(value, "always"))
-			return 1;
+			return var ? GIT_COLOR_AUTO : 1;
 		if (!strcasecmp(value, "auto"))
 			return GIT_COLOR_AUTO;
 	}
diff --git a/t/t3203-branch-output.sh b/t/t3203-branch-output.sh
index d2aec0f38b..ee6787614c 100755
--- a/t/t3203-branch-output.sh
+++ b/t/t3203-branch-output.sh
@@ -253,13 +253,7 @@ test_expect_success '%(color) omitted without tty' '
 '
 
 test_expect_success TTY '%(color) present with tty' '
-	test_terminal env TERM=vt100 git branch $color_args >actual.raw &&
-	test_decode_color <actual.raw >actual &&
-	test_cmp expect.color actual
-'
-
-test_expect_success 'color.branch=always overrides auto-color' '
-	git -c color.branch=always branch $color_args >actual.raw &&
+	test_terminal git branch $color_args >actual.raw &&
 	test_decode_color <actual.raw >actual &&
 	test_cmp expect.color actual
 '
diff --git a/t/t3205-branch-color.sh b/t/t3205-branch-color.sh
index 9343550f50..4f1e16bb44 100755
--- a/t/t3205-branch-color.sh
+++ b/t/t3205-branch-color.sh
@@ -12,7 +12,6 @@ test_expect_success 'set up some sample branches' '
 # choose non-default colors to make sure config
 # is taking effect
 test_expect_success 'set up some color config' '
-	git config color.branch always &&
 	git config color.branch.local blue &&
 	git config color.branch.remote yellow &&
 	git config color.branch.current cyan
@@ -24,7 +23,7 @@ test_expect_success 'regular output shows colors' '
 	  <BLUE>other<RESET>
 	  <YELLOW>remotes/origin/master<RESET>
 	EOF
-	git branch -a >actual.raw &&
+	git branch --color -a >actual.raw &&
 	test_decode_color <actual.raw >actual &&
 	test_cmp expect actual
 '
@@ -36,7 +35,7 @@ test_expect_success 'verbose output shows colors' '
 	  <BLUE>other                <RESET> $oid foo
 	  <YELLOW>remotes/origin/master<RESET> $oid foo
 	EOF
-	git branch -v -a >actual.raw &&
+	git branch --color -v -a >actual.raw &&
 	test_decode_color <actual.raw >actual &&
 	test_cmp expect actual
 '
diff --git a/t/t3701-add-interactive.sh b/t/t3701-add-interactive.sh
index 2f3e7cea64..a49c12c79b 100755
--- a/t/t3701-add-interactive.sh
+++ b/t/t3701-add-interactive.sh
@@ -2,6 +2,7 @@
 
 test_description='add -i basic tests'
 . ./test-lib.sh
+. "$TEST_DIRECTORY"/lib-terminal.sh
 
 if ! test_have_prereq PERL
 then
@@ -380,14 +381,11 @@ test_expect_success 'patch mode ignores unmerged entries' '
 	test_cmp expected diff
 '
 
-test_expect_success 'diffs can be colorized' '
+test_expect_success TTY 'diffs can be colorized' '
 	git reset --hard &&
 
-	# force color even though the test script has no terminal
-	test_config color.ui always &&
-
 	echo content >test &&
-	printf y | git add -p >output 2>&1 &&
+	printf y | test_terminal git add -p >output 2>&1 &&
 
 	# We do not want to depend on the exact coloring scheme
 	# git uses for diffs, so just check that we saw some kind of color.
@@ -485,4 +483,14 @@ test_expect_success 'hunk-editing handles custom comment char' '
 	git diff --exit-code
 '
 
+test_expect_success 'add -p works even with color.ui=always' '
+	git reset --hard &&
+	echo change >>file &&
+	test_config color.ui always &&
+	echo y | git add -p &&
+	echo file >expect &&
+	git diff --cached --name-only >actual &&
+	test_cmp expect actual
+'
+
 test_done
diff --git a/t/t4015-diff-whitespace.sh b/t/t4015-diff-whitespace.sh
index 12d182dc1b..3bca958863 100755
--- a/t/t4015-diff-whitespace.sh
+++ b/t/t4015-diff-whitespace.sh
@@ -802,7 +802,6 @@ test_expect_success 'combined diff with autocrlf conversion' '
 # Start testing the colored format for whitespace checks
 
 test_expect_success 'setup diff colors' '
-	git config color.diff always &&
 	git config color.diff.plain normal &&
 	git config color.diff.meta bold &&
 	git config color.diff.frag cyan &&
@@ -821,7 +820,7 @@ test_expect_success 'diff that introduces a line with only tabs' '
 	echo "test" >x &&
 	git commit -m "initial" x &&
 	echo "{NTN}" | tr "NT" "\n\t" >>x &&
-	git -c color.diff=always diff | test_decode_color >current &&
+	git diff --color | test_decode_color >current &&
 
 	cat >expected <<-\EOF &&
 	<BOLD>diff --git a/x b/x<RESET>
@@ -851,7 +850,7 @@ test_expect_success 'diff that introduces and removes ws breakages' '
 		echo "2. and a new line "
 	} >x &&
 
-	git -c color.diff=always diff |
+	git diff --color |
 	test_decode_color >current &&
 
 	cat >expected <<-\EOF &&
@@ -923,15 +922,15 @@ test_expect_success 'ws-error-highlight test setup' '
 
 test_expect_success 'test --ws-error-highlight option' '
 
-	git -c color.diff=always diff --ws-error-highlight=default,old |
+	git diff --color --ws-error-highlight=default,old |
 	test_decode_color >current &&
 	test_cmp expect.default-old current &&
 
-	git -c color.diff=always diff --ws-error-highlight=all |
+	git diff --color --ws-error-highlight=all |
 	test_decode_color >current &&
 	test_cmp expect.all current &&
 
-	git -c color.diff=always diff --ws-error-highlight=none |
+	git diff --color --ws-error-highlight=none |
 	test_decode_color >current &&
 	test_cmp expect.none current
 
@@ -939,15 +938,15 @@ test_expect_success 'test --ws-error-highlight option' '
 
 test_expect_success 'test diff.wsErrorHighlight config' '
 
-	git -c color.diff=always -c diff.wsErrorHighlight=default,old diff |
+	git -c diff.wsErrorHighlight=default,old diff --color |
 	test_decode_color >current &&
 	test_cmp expect.default-old current &&
 
-	git -c color.diff=always -c diff.wsErrorHighlight=all diff |
+	git -c diff.wsErrorHighlight=all diff --color |
 	test_decode_color >current &&
 	test_cmp expect.all current &&
 
-	git -c color.diff=always -c diff.wsErrorHighlight=none diff |
+	git -c diff.wsErrorHighlight=none diff --color |
 	test_decode_color >current &&
 	test_cmp expect.none current
 
@@ -955,18 +954,18 @@ test_expect_success 'test diff.wsErrorHighlight config' '
 
 test_expect_success 'option overrides diff.wsErrorHighlight' '
 
-	git -c color.diff=always -c diff.wsErrorHighlight=none \
-		diff --ws-error-highlight=default,old |
+	git -c diff.wsErrorHighlight=none \
+		diff --color --ws-error-highlight=default,old |
 	test_decode_color >current &&
 	test_cmp expect.default-old current &&
 
-	git -c color.diff=always -c diff.wsErrorHighlight=default \
-		diff --ws-error-highlight=all |
+	git -c diff.wsErrorHighlight=default \
+		diff --color --ws-error-highlight=all |
 	test_decode_color >current &&
 	test_cmp expect.all current &&
 
-	git -c color.diff=always -c diff.wsErrorHighlight=all \
-		diff --ws-error-highlight=none |
+	git -c diff.wsErrorHighlight=all \
+		diff --color --ws-error-highlight=none |
 	test_decode_color >current &&
 	test_cmp expect.none current
 
@@ -986,7 +985,7 @@ test_expect_success 'detect moved code, complete file' '
 	git mv test.c main.c &&
 	test_config color.diff.oldMoved "normal red" &&
 	test_config color.diff.newMoved "normal green" &&
-	git diff HEAD --color-moved=zebra --no-renames | test_decode_color >actual &&
+	git diff HEAD --color-moved=zebra --color --no-renames | test_decode_color >actual &&
 	cat >expected <<-\EOF &&
 	<BOLD>diff --git a/main.c b/main.c<RESET>
 	<BOLD>new file mode 100644<RESET>
@@ -1087,7 +1086,7 @@ test_expect_success 'detect malicious moved code, inside file' '
 			bar();
 		}
 	EOF
-	git diff HEAD --no-renames --color-moved=zebra| test_decode_color >actual &&
+	git diff HEAD --no-renames --color-moved=zebra --color | test_decode_color >actual &&
 	cat <<-\EOF >expected &&
 	<BOLD>diff --git a/main.c b/main.c<RESET>
 	<BOLD>index 27a619c..7cf9336 100644<RESET>
@@ -1136,7 +1135,7 @@ test_expect_success 'plain moved code, inside file' '
 	test_config color.diff.oldMovedAlternative "blue" &&
 	test_config color.diff.newMovedAlternative "yellow" &&
 	# needs previous test as setup
-	git diff HEAD --no-renames --color-moved=plain| test_decode_color >actual &&
+	git diff HEAD --no-renames --color-moved=plain --color | test_decode_color >actual &&
 	cat <<-\EOF >expected &&
 	<BOLD>diff --git a/main.c b/main.c<RESET>
 	<BOLD>index 27a619c..7cf9336 100644<RESET>
@@ -1227,7 +1226,7 @@ test_expect_success 'detect permutations inside moved code -- dimmed_zebra' '
 	test_config color.diff.newMovedDimmed "normal cyan" &&
 	test_config color.diff.oldMovedAlternativeDimmed "normal blue" &&
 	test_config color.diff.newMovedAlternativeDimmed "normal yellow" &&
-	git diff HEAD --no-renames --color-moved=dimmed_zebra |
+	git diff HEAD --no-renames --color-moved=dimmed_zebra --color |
 		grep -v "index" |
 		test_decode_color >actual &&
 	cat <<-\EOF >expected &&
@@ -1271,7 +1270,7 @@ test_expect_success 'cmd option assumes configured colored-moved' '
 	test_config color.diff.oldMovedAlternativeDimmed "normal blue" &&
 	test_config color.diff.newMovedAlternativeDimmed "normal yellow" &&
 	test_config diff.colorMoved zebra &&
-	git diff HEAD --no-renames --color-moved |
+	git diff HEAD --no-renames --color-moved --color |
 		grep -v "index" |
 		test_decode_color >actual &&
 	cat <<-\EOF >expected &&
@@ -1343,7 +1342,7 @@ line 4
 EOF
 	test_config color.diff.oldMoved "magenta" &&
 	test_config color.diff.newMoved "cyan" &&
-	git diff HEAD --no-renames --color-moved |
+	git diff HEAD --no-renames --color-moved --color |
 		grep -v "index" |
 		test_decode_color >actual &&
 	cat <<-\EOF >expected &&
@@ -1364,7 +1363,7 @@ EOF
 	EOF
 	test_cmp expected actual &&
 
-	git diff HEAD --no-renames -w --color-moved |
+	git diff HEAD --no-renames -w --color-moved --color |
 		grep -v "index" |
 		test_decode_color >actual &&
 	cat <<-\EOF >expected &&
@@ -1403,7 +1402,7 @@ test_expect_success '--color-moved block at end of diff output respects MIN_ALNU
 	irrelevant_line
 	EOF
 
-	git diff HEAD --color-moved=zebra --no-renames |
+	git diff HEAD --color-moved=zebra --color --no-renames |
 		grep -v "index" |
 		test_decode_color >actual &&
 	cat >expected <<-\EOF &&
@@ -1442,7 +1441,7 @@ test_expect_success '--color-moved respects MIN_ALNUM_COUNT' '
 	nineteen chars 456789
 	EOF
 
-	git diff HEAD --color-moved=zebra --no-renames |
+	git diff HEAD --color-moved=zebra --color --no-renames |
 		grep -v "index" |
 		test_decode_color >actual &&
 	cat >expected <<-\EOF &&
@@ -1485,7 +1484,7 @@ test_expect_success '--color-moved treats adjacent blocks as separate for MIN_AL
 	7charsA
 	EOF
 
-	git diff HEAD --color-moved=zebra --no-renames | grep -v "index" | test_decode_color >actual &&
+	git diff HEAD --color-moved=zebra --color --no-renames | grep -v "index" | test_decode_color >actual &&
 	cat >expected <<-\EOF &&
 	<BOLD>diff --git a/bar b/bar<RESET>
 	<BOLD>--- a/bar<RESET>
@@ -1519,7 +1518,7 @@ test_expect_success 'move detection with submodules' '
 	echo foul >bananas/recipe &&
 	echo ripe >fruit.t &&
 
-	git diff --submodule=diff --color-moved >actual &&
+	git diff --submodule=diff --color-moved --color >actual &&
 
 	# no move detection as the moved line is across repository boundaries.
 	test_decode_color <actual >decoded_actual &&
@@ -1527,7 +1526,7 @@ test_expect_success 'move detection with submodules' '
 	! grep BRED decoded_actual &&
 
 	# nor did we mess with it another way
-	git diff --submodule=diff | test_decode_color >expect &&
+	git diff --submodule=diff --color | test_decode_color >expect &&
 	test_cmp expect decoded_actual
 '
 
diff --git a/t/t4202-log.sh b/t/t4202-log.sh
index 36d120c969..8f155da7a5 100755
--- a/t/t4202-log.sh
+++ b/t/t4202-log.sh
@@ -750,7 +750,7 @@ test_expect_success 'log.decorate config parsing' '
 '
 
 test_expect_success TTY 'log output on a TTY' '
-	git log --oneline --decorate >expect.short &&
+	git log --color --oneline --decorate >expect.short &&
 
 	test_terminal git log --oneline >actual &&
 	test_cmp expect.short actual
diff --git a/t/t6006-rev-list-format.sh b/t/t6006-rev-list-format.sh
index b326d550f3..25a9c65dc5 100755
--- a/t/t6006-rev-list-format.sh
+++ b/t/t6006-rev-list-format.sh
@@ -208,29 +208,13 @@ do
 		has_no_color actual
 	'
 
-	test_expect_success "$desc enables colors for color.diff" '
-		git -c color.diff=always log --format=$color -1 >actual &&
-		has_color actual
-	'
-
-	test_expect_success "$desc enables colors for color.ui" '
-		git -c color.ui=always log --format=$color -1 >actual &&
-		has_color actual
-	'
-
 	test_expect_success "$desc respects --color" '
 		git log --format=$color -1 --color >actual &&
 		has_color actual
 	'
 
-	test_expect_success "$desc respects --no-color" '
-		git -c color.ui=always log --format=$color -1 --no-color >actual &&
-		has_no_color actual
-	'
-
 	test_expect_success TTY "$desc respects --color=auto (stdout is tty)" '
-		test_terminal env TERM=vt100 \
-			git log --format=$color -1 --color=auto >actual &&
+		test_terminal git log --format=$color -1 --color=auto >actual &&
 		has_color actual
 	'
 
@@ -241,6 +225,11 @@ do
 			has_no_color actual
 		)
 	'
+
+	test_expect_success TTY "$desc respects --no-color" '
+		test_terminal git log --format=$color -1 --no-color >actual &&
+		has_no_color actual
+	'
 done
 
 test_expect_success '%C(always,...) enables color even without tty' '
diff --git a/t/t6300-for-each-ref.sh b/t/t6300-for-each-ref.sh
index 2274a4b733..6358134805 100755
--- a/t/t6300-for-each-ref.sh
+++ b/t/t6300-for-each-ref.sh
@@ -425,8 +425,7 @@ test_expect_success 'set up color tests' '
 '
 
 test_expect_success TTY '%(color) shows color with a tty' '
-	test_terminal env TERM=vt100 \
-		git for-each-ref --format="$color_format" >actual.raw &&
+	test_terminal git for-each-ref --format="$color_format" >actual.raw &&
 	test_decode_color <actual.raw >actual &&
 	test_cmp expected.color actual
 '
@@ -436,8 +435,8 @@ test_expect_success '%(color) does not show color without tty' '
 	test_cmp expected.bare actual
 '
 
-test_expect_success 'color.ui=always can override tty check' '
-	git -c color.ui=always for-each-ref --format="$color_format" >actual.raw &&
+test_expect_success '--color can override tty check' '
+	git for-each-ref --color --format="$color_format" >actual.raw &&
 	test_decode_color <actual.raw >actual &&
 	test_cmp expected.color actual
 '
diff --git a/t/t7004-tag.sh b/t/t7004-tag.sh
index b545c33f83..4e62c505fc 100755
--- a/t/t7004-tag.sh
+++ b/t/t7004-tag.sh
@@ -1907,13 +1907,13 @@ test_expect_success '%(color) omitted without tty' '
 '
 
 test_expect_success TTY '%(color) present with tty' '
-	test_terminal env TERM=vt100 git tag $color_args >actual.raw &&
+	test_terminal git tag $color_args >actual.raw &&
 	test_decode_color <actual.raw >actual &&
 	test_cmp expect.color actual
 '
 
-test_expect_success 'color.ui=always overrides auto-color' '
-	git -c color.ui=always tag $color_args >actual.raw &&
+test_expect_success '--color overrides auto-color' '
+	git tag --color $color_args >actual.raw &&
 	test_decode_color <actual.raw >actual &&
 	test_cmp expect.color actual
 '
diff --git a/t/t7006-pager.sh b/t/t7006-pager.sh
index 9128ec5acd..f0f1abd1c2 100755
--- a/t/t7006-pager.sh
+++ b/t/t7006-pager.sh
@@ -239,7 +239,7 @@ test_expect_success 'no color when stdout is a regular file' '
 test_expect_success TTY 'color when writing to a pager' '
 	rm -f paginated.out &&
 	test_config color.ui auto &&
-	test_terminal env TERM=vt100 git log &&
+	test_terminal git log &&
 	colorful paginated.out
 '
 
@@ -247,7 +247,7 @@ test_expect_success TTY 'colors are suppressed by color.pager' '
 	rm -f paginated.out &&
 	test_config color.ui auto &&
 	test_config color.pager false &&
-	test_terminal env TERM=vt100 git log &&
+	test_terminal git log &&
 	! colorful paginated.out
 '
 
@@ -266,7 +266,7 @@ test_expect_success 'color when writing to a file intended for a pager' '
 test_expect_success TTY 'colors are sent to pager for external commands' '
 	test_config alias.externallog "!git log" &&
 	test_config color.ui auto &&
-	test_terminal env TERM=vt100 git -p externallog &&
+	test_terminal git -p externallog &&
 	colorful paginated.out
 '
 
diff --git a/t/t7301-clean-interactive.sh b/t/t7301-clean-interactive.sh
index 556e1850e2..1bf9789c8a 100755
--- a/t/t7301-clean-interactive.sh
+++ b/t/t7301-clean-interactive.sh
@@ -3,6 +3,7 @@
 test_description='git clean -i basic tests'
 
 . ./test-lib.sh
+. "$TEST_DIRECTORY"/lib-terminal.sh
 
 test_expect_success 'setup' '
 
@@ -472,10 +473,10 @@ test_expect_success 'git clean -id with prefix and path (ask)' '
 
 '
 
-test_expect_success 'git clean -i paints the header in HEADER color' '
+test_expect_success TTY 'git clean -i paints the header in HEADER color' '
 	>a.out &&
 	echo q |
-	git -c color.ui=always clean -i |
+	test_terminal git clean -i |
 	test_decode_color |
 	head -n 1 >header &&
 	# not i18ngrep
diff --git a/t/t7502-commit.sh b/t/t7502-commit.sh
index 725687d5d5..d33a3cb331 100755
--- a/t/t7502-commit.sh
+++ b/t/t7502-commit.sh
@@ -171,9 +171,9 @@ test_expect_success 'verbose' '
 
 test_expect_success 'verbose respects diff config' '
 
-	test_config color.diff always &&
+	test_config diff.noprefix true &&
 	git status -v >actual &&
-	grep "\[1mdiff --git" actual
+	grep "diff --git negative negative" actual
 '
 
 mesg_with_comment_and_newlines='
diff --git a/t/t7508-status.sh b/t/t7508-status.sh
index 93f162a4f7..50052e2872 100755
--- a/t/t7508-status.sh
+++ b/t/t7508-status.sh
@@ -6,6 +6,7 @@
 test_description='git status'
 
 . ./test-lib.sh
+. "$TEST_DIRECTORY"/lib-terminal.sh
 
 test_expect_success 'status -h in broken repository' '
 	git config --global advice.statusuoption false &&
@@ -667,7 +668,7 @@ test_expect_success 'setup unique colors' '
 
 '
 
-test_expect_success 'status with color.ui' '
+test_expect_success TTY 'status with color.ui' '
 	cat >expect <<\EOF &&
 On branch <GREEN>master<RESET>
 Your branch and '\''upstream'\'' have diverged,
@@ -694,14 +695,14 @@ Untracked files:
 	<BLUE>untracked<RESET>
 
 EOF
-	test_config color.ui always &&
-	git status | test_decode_color >output &&
+	test_config color.ui auto &&
+	test_terminal git status | test_decode_color >output &&
 	test_i18ncmp expect output
 '
 
-test_expect_success 'status with color.status' '
-	test_config color.status always &&
-	git status | test_decode_color >output &&
+test_expect_success TTY 'status with color.status' '
+	test_config color.status auto &&
+	test_terminal git status | test_decode_color >output &&
 	test_i18ncmp expect output
 '
 
@@ -714,19 +715,19 @@ cat >expect <<\EOF
 <BLUE>??<RESET> untracked
 EOF
 
-test_expect_success 'status -s with color.ui' '
+test_expect_success TTY 'status -s with color.ui' '
 
-	git config color.ui always &&
-	git status -s | test_decode_color >output &&
+	git config color.ui auto &&
+	test_terminal git status -s | test_decode_color >output &&
 	test_cmp expect output
 
 '
 
-test_expect_success 'status -s with color.status' '
+test_expect_success TTY 'status -s with color.status' '
 
 	git config --unset color.ui &&
-	git config color.status always &&
-	git status -s | test_decode_color >output &&
+	git config color.status auto &&
+	test_terminal git status -s | test_decode_color >output &&
 	test_cmp expect output
 
 '
@@ -741,9 +742,9 @@ cat >expect <<\EOF
 <BLUE>??<RESET> untracked
 EOF
 
-test_expect_success 'status -s -b with color.status' '
+test_expect_success TTY 'status -s -b with color.status' '
 
-	git status -s -b | test_decode_color >output &&
+	test_terminal git status -s -b | test_decode_color >output &&
 	test_i18ncmp expect output
 
 '
@@ -757,20 +758,20 @@ A  dir2/added
 ?? untracked
 EOF
 
-test_expect_success 'status --porcelain ignores color.ui' '
+test_expect_success TTY 'status --porcelain ignores color.ui' '
 
 	git config --unset color.status &&
-	git config color.ui always &&
-	git status --porcelain | test_decode_color >output &&
+	git config color.ui auto &&
+	test_terminal git status --porcelain | test_decode_color >output &&
 	test_cmp expect output
 
 '
 
-test_expect_success 'status --porcelain ignores color.status' '
+test_expect_success TTY 'status --porcelain ignores color.status' '
 
 	git config --unset color.ui &&
-	git config color.status always &&
-	git status --porcelain | test_decode_color >output &&
+	git config color.status auto &&
+	test_terminal git status --porcelain | test_decode_color >output &&
 	test_cmp expect output
 
 '
diff --git a/t/test-terminal.perl b/t/test-terminal.perl
index 96b6a03e1c..46bf618479 100755
--- a/t/test-terminal.perl
+++ b/t/test-terminal.perl
@@ -80,6 +80,7 @@ sub copy_stdio {
 if ($#ARGV < 1) {
 	die "usage: test-terminal program args";
 }
+$ENV{TERM} = 'vt100';
 my $master_in = new IO::Pty;
 my $master_out = new IO::Pty;
 my $master_err = new IO::Pty;