You can easily open a second interactive window in VS Code by using the Command Palette. VS Code fully supports the creation and management of multiple interactive windows, allowing for diverse coding and debugging workflows.
Creating a New Interactive Window
VS Code provides a straightforward method to spawn additional interactive windows, enabling you to work with multiple Python sessions or separate environments simultaneously. This feature is particularly useful for comparing outputs, testing different code snippets, or isolating various parts of your project.
Step-by-Step Guide
Follow these simple steps to open another interactive window:
- Open the Command Palette: Press
Ctrl+Shift+P(orCmd+Shift+Pon macOS) to bring up the Command Palette. This powerful tool provides quick access to a vast array of VS Code commands. - Search for the Command: In the Command Palette search bar, type "Create Interactive Window".
- Execute the Command: Select the "Jupyter: Create Interactive Window" or "Python: Create Interactive Window" command from the list that appears.
Upon execution, a new, completely separate interactive window will open, ready for your code. You can repeat these steps to open as many interactive windows as your workflow requires.
Practical Applications of Multiple Windows
- Parallel Development: Run different scripts or test various functions in isolated environments without interfering with each other.
- Data Analysis Comparison: Load and analyze distinct datasets in separate windows to easily compare results or visualizations side-by-side.
- Debugging and Testing: Keep a stable interactive session open while using another to test experimental code or debug specific issues.
Managing Interactive Window Behavior
VS Code also offers settings to customize the behavior and appearance of your interactive windows, ensuring they fit your specific development needs.
Customizing Settings
To fine-tune your interactive window experience:
- Access VS Code Settings: Open your VS Code Settings by pressing
Ctrl+,(orCmd+,on macOS). - Search for Interactive Window Settings: In the search bar within the Settings tab, type "interactive window mode".
- Adjust Preferences: Here, you can find various settings related to how interactive windows function, such as default kernel, output clearing behavior, and more. Exploring these options can help optimize your workflow.
By leveraging the Command Palette to create new windows and adjusting settings for personalized behavior, you can significantly enhance your productivity when working with interactive sessions in VS Code.
Key Commands for Interactive Window Management
For quick reference, here's a summary of the essential commands:
| Action | Command Shortcut | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Open Command Palette | Ctrl+Shift+P |
Provides access to all VS Code commands, including creating interactive windows. |
| Open VS Code Settings | Ctrl+, |
Allows you to configure global and specific settings, such as "interactive window mode" preferences. |
| Create Interactive Window | (Via Command Palette) | Opens a new, dedicated interactive window instance, enabling multiple parallel coding sessions. |
| Jupyter/Python Extensions | (N/A) | Ensure you have the Python and Jupyter extensions installed for full interactive window functionality. |
