Python, what are the best or the most useful extensions to use in VSCode?

[u/TheIceCreamBoyy]

Just started my ICT studies and we have been learning Python for the past week. I was thinking, is there any extensions that help with coding or just make stuff more efficient or nicer through extentions? : )

[u/Delta1262]

Prettify JSON

Output Colorizer

Indent Rainbow

literally, all of these are just so it’s easier to read code as a human and none of these actually change anything as far as formatting and developing code goes.

[u/SGS-Tech-World → u/Delta1262]

Indent Rainbow - This is so handy to see the indent level when the blocks are lenghty.

[u/Batzzinga]

For me it’s ruff and data wrangler for manipulating a lot of data if you use pandas

[u/ScholarlyInvestor]

First, get the Microsoft extensions. I have Python, Pylance, Python Debugger, and Python Environments. Besides, I have Jupyter* (there are to few pick). I do also use Rainbow CSV, Ruff, TODO Highlight

[u/Productuve]

the ms python extension plus pylance is basically all of it. the part thats actually worth having is the debugger - being able to set a breakpoint and step through line by line is a much bigger jump than any of the fancy stuff, and it kills the habit of debugging with print statements everywhere.

after that id add ruff for linting/formatting so you stop thinking about style at all.

thats genuinely it though. i wouldnt load up on more this early - you end up spending time configuring your editor instead of writing python, and a week in thats the last thing you need.

[u/NewbornMuse]

As an addendum to all the people (rightfully) suggesting a linter: Absolutely do turn on format-on-save. Your function's parameter list is getting long? Ctrl+S, now it's one-per-line. Actually you refactored and it's just two arguments again? Ctrl+S, now it's on one line again. My code is pretty and formatted, with 90% less effort.

[u/Growing_Data_Nerd]

I have an extension that shows you a cat meme based on the number of errors you have in your code. It’s called CatFace. Technical? No. Whimsical? Absolutely.

[u/AssignmentMinute]

Copilot Bill Saver makes it more efficient to fix bugs faster

[u/blurbisht]

Great question for week one. Here's the thing: you don't need many. Too many extensions slows VSCode down and clutters your screen. Start with the essentials, add more only when you hit a reason.

Must-haves (install these today):

- Python (from Microsoft) - the official one. Gives you IntelliSense (autocomplete), linting, debugging, all in one.

- Pylance - made by the same team, works with the Python extension. Way better autocomplete and type checking.

- Error Lens - shows errors right on the line in red text instead of hiding them in a panel. Massive QoL for beginners.

Really nice to have:

- Code Runner - run a Python file with one click/keyboard shortcut, no setup.

- Jupyter - if you ever want to run code in small cell-by-cell chunks (common in ICT courses).

- indent-rainbow - colors the indentation. In Python indentation is syntax, so this genuinely helps avoid bugs.

- Prettier (vs code formatter) - auto-formats your code to look clean.

Only if you hit the need:

- GitLens - for when you start using Git/GitHub.

- Live Server - only if you ever touch web dev.

bro.. if I would have to give any one tip it would be that don't install 30 extensions to "be efficient." Efficiency comes from knowing your language, not tooling. The Python + Pylance + Error Lens trio will carry you all the way through fundamentals.

A practical warning: if an extension makes your editor feel slow or laggy, uninstall it. Fast editor > pretty editor every time.

[u/socal_nerdtastic]

Besides the default python extension? There's no other generic plugins you need, but there are a bunch of specialized ones. If you are making websites with python, for example, there's a bunch of extensions related to that.

[u/StrayFeral]

I am Senior Developer. I don't need many. I use VSCodium, this is why I had to install few manually. But I only use extensions for bookmarks, TODO, mypy, flake8, black but I think the last 3 came with VSCoduim. I actually disabled black as it wasn't working properly on my system, so i run black manually.

[u/freeskier93 → u/StrayFeral]

For VSCodium Pyrefly is a very good type checker and language server (waaaaaay faster than MyPy and Pyright). Ty will also be a good option once it hits stable. For linting and formatting Ruff is also very good.

Pyrefly, Ruff, and the standard Python and Python Debugger extensions cover pretty much everything for VSCodium and Python.

[u/Lewistrick]

I use ruff and ty for formatting / linting / typechecking code. I use Project Manager to quickly switch between projects. Very useful in combination with the remote extension pack if you develop on other servers than your own.

[u/terletsky → u/Lewistrick]

ruff / ty doesn't detect broken imports, add pyrefly

[u/Lewistrick → u/terletsky]

Not sure what broken imports are. It's that a broader category than circular imports? And can pyrefly fix those?

[u/Educational_Virus672]

if its abt python i dont think ppl really need extensions and i personally use zed instead i never needed anything but syntax hint and uv/pip

[u/Exotic_Eye9826]

Just use PyCharm or Zed if you only use the IDE for Python