How to use Flake8 in VSCode?

Question

My VSCode is using a locally installed anaconda environment, at the default directory, which places it in Program Files. Because of this I'm unable to install flake8 through VSCode, I get a permission error. If I update my conda environment at the local level to install flake8, does anyone know if VSCode recognize and be able to use the package then?

Disquieting

Answer 1

Usually yeah it will. But if it doesn't work for you, then you can try specifying absolute path to flake8 and enable it explicitly like so :

"python.linting.flake8Enabled": true,  
"python.linting.flake8Path": "path/to/flake8",  

you can even specify path to your conda environment :

"python.condaPath": "path/to/condaenv/",

Bridgettbridgette

This worked for me - in VS, you simply open Setting, search for flak8, find needed path, and insert in corresponding JSON file for flake8 configuration. – Unimposing

Answer 2

Have you tried to:

1. ctrl + shift + p
2. write "select linter" then click on it
3. click on flake8

Maybe that helps.

Phonics

I installed Flake8 in the VS Code extension, but I don't see "select linter" via ctrl+shift+p. – Gushy

Answer 3

Yes, it will. You'll have to install flake8 into each environment that you specify as an interpreter for a project in VSCode.

Pastypat

Is there a way to bypass the permission error in VSCode to install from there? I just tried installing through anaconda navigator which worked fine but VSCode isn't recognizing it, either way you answered my question. Thank you – Disquieting

Answer 4

I just installed Flake8 extension to VSCode as shown below. *I use Anaconda on Windows 11:

Then, it works properly as shown below:

Superorganic

Answer 5

VSCode changed the linting settings. The recommended way to do it now is using an extension. So install Flake8 extension.

Newer versions of the extension has an Flake8 linter embedded. So you don't need to install it in your machine.

VSCode documentation about linting improved a lot. Take a look, but is a summary:

1. Install Flake8 extension
2. It just works.

BTW: you should create a separated virtual environment for each of your projects. Doing this you'll be able to locally install packages.

Explain