IPython Cell Executor

A VS Code extension that allows you to execute Python cells in an IPython terminal with shared namespace between cells.

Features

• Execute Python cells (delimited by #%%) in an IPython terminal
• Shared namespace between cells and the IPython terminal (variables and imports persist)
• Line-by-line execution for selections (perfect for debugging sessions)
• Automatically creates an IPython terminal if none exists
• Returns focus to the editor after execution
• Supports both regular development and debugging workflows

Requirements

• VS Code 1.74.0 or higher
• IPython must be installed in your Python environment

Installation

From the VS Code marketplace (recommended)

This extension is available on the VS Code Marketplace here.

From VSIX file

1. Download the .vsix file
2. Open VS Code
3. Go to Extensions view (Ctrl+Shift+X)
4. Click the "..." menu at the top of the Extensions view
5. Select "Install from VSIX..."
6. Navigate to and select the .vsix file

From source

1. Clone this repository
2. Run npm install to install dependencies
3. Run npm run compile to build the extension
4. Package the extension: vsce package --allow-missing-repository --skip-license
5. Install the resulting .vsix file in VS Code using "Install from VSIX..."

Usage

Key bindings

• Ctrl+Alt+Enter: Execute the current cell in the IPython terminal
• Ctrl+Shift+Enter: Execute the current selection in the IPython terminal (line-by-line)

Commands

You can also use the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P) to run the following commands:

• IPython: Execute Current Cell in Terminal
• IPython: Execute Current Selection in Terminal

How it works

Cell execution

When you execute a cell:

1. The extension identifies the cell containing your cursor (delimited by #%%)
2. It removes the cell delimiter line if present
3. It copies the code to the clipboard
4. It uses IPython's %paste -q magic to execute the code in the active namespace
5. Focus returns to the editor

Selection execution

When you execute a selection:

1. The extension sends each line of your selected code individually to the IPython terminal
2. This works even when you're at a PDB or IPDB prompt
3. Focus returns to the editor after execution

PDB mode support

When debugging with PDB or IPDB, you can toggle "PDB Mode" to improve how code is executed:

• Use Ctrl+Alt+, to toggle between regular IPython mode and PDB mode
• In PDB mode, the extension uses specialized line-by-line execution that preserves variable scope and state
• A status bar indicator shows whether you're in "IPython Mode" or "PDB Mode"

Selection execution in PDB mode

When in PDB mode, selection execution (Ctrl+Shift+Enter) has smart behavior:

• For single-line expressions (e.g., variable names), it sends the expression directly to the terminal
  • This allows you to see the values of variables by simply selecting and executing them
• For multi-line code or statements with control structures, it uses a specialized line-by-line execution
  • This preserves your PDB session state and allows complex code blocks to execute properly
  • Variables defined in executed code blocks will be available in your PDB session

Indentation handling

The extension automatically handles indented code blocks:

• When executing code in PDB mode, the extension normalizes indentation before sending it line-by-line
• This means you can select and execute code that's indented within functions or classes
• The extension also handles line continuations (backslash at the end of a line)
• These formatting improvements ensure your code executes correctly within the PDB session

Debugging workflow

1. Execute cells with Ctrl+Alt+Enter during normal development
2. When you hit a breakpoint (using pdb.set_trace(), breakpoint(), etc.), switch to PDB mode with Ctrl+Alt+,
3. Use the selection execution method that fits your current need:
   • Select a variable name and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to see its value
   • Select a multi-line code block and press Ctrl+Shift+Enter to execute it with proper indentation
4. When you exit PDB, switch back to regular mode with Ctrl+Alt+,
5. All variables defined during PDB mode execution will be available in your debugging session

Customization

You can customize the extension's keyboard shortcuts through VS Code's keyboard shortcuts editor:

1. Open VS Code's keyboard shortcuts (File > Preferences > Keyboard Shortcuts)
2. Search for "ipython" to find and modify the extension's commands

Troubleshooting

Terminal not found

If the extension can't find your IPython terminal:

1. Open a new terminal in VS Code
2. Run ipython
3. Try executing your cell again

Execution not working

Make sure:

1. Your cursor is inside a Python cell
2. IPython is properly installed in your environment
3. Your code doesn't contain syntax errors

Development

Publishing updates to the VS Code Marketplace

To publish a new version of this extension:

1. Update the version in package.json:

   "version": "0.2.8"

   Follow semantic versioning: MAJOR.MINOR.PATCH

2. Compile the extension:

   npm run compile

3. Publish to the marketplace:

   vsce publish -p YOUR_PERSONAL_ACCESS_TOKEN

About the Personal Access Token (PAT)

• The PAT is required for every publish operation (not just the initial one)
• Get your PAT from Azure DevOps: https://dev.azure.com
• The PAT must have Marketplace (Manage) scope

Publisher account

• Publisher: agentmorris
• Manage extensions at: https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/manage/publishers/agentmorris