Can I have multiple subfolders with virtual python environments in VS Code?

Question

I have a monorepo structured like this:

myRepo/
├─ project_1/
│  ├─ .venv/
│  ├─ main.py
├─ project_2/
│  ├─ .venv/
│  ├─ main.py
├─ .gitignore
├─ README.md

• Can VS Code handle multiple python venvs in subfolders?

After some googling I managed a find one solution, but its not very elegant. I created a workspace and added the folders /project_1 and /project_2, that worked and I can easily switch and select Python Interpreter. I also need to modify files in /root from time to time so I added this folder as well. All this makes the Explorer folder structure bigger and more cluttered with duplicates of itself:

workspace/
├── myRepo/
│   ├── project_1/
│   │   ├── .venv/
│   │   └── main.py
│   ├── project_2/
│   │   ├── .venv/
│   │   └── main.py
│   ├── .gitignore
│   ├── README.md
│   └── myRepo/
├── project_1/
│   ├── .venv/
│   └── main.py
└── project_2/
    ├── .venv/
    └── main.py

Riggle

What was the problem with the original file structure? – Jeannajeanne

VS Code can't find the venvs it seems. #61148770 – Riggle

Answer 1

VS Code has a list of places, where it looks for virtual environments. Only environments located directly under the workspace are picked up automatically. You can also enter custom paths when running the Python: Select Interpreter command, though. Simply select "Enter interpreter path..." and navigate to your venv's /bin/python executable:

Once you have used a cutom interpreter path, it is known to VS code and will be directly selectable using the Python: Select Interpreter command.

Weaner

If this works for you then there is definitely something wrong on my side. I've tried this several times, it just swaps back to the Interpreter I last used. Are you sure this works in a sub dir? – Riggle

This works with any path in your workspace (and even out of your workspace). Did you press return on the "Find..." selection in the third screenshot? This should open a treeview in which you can navigate through your directories. Be sure to select the python binary, not the venv's path. I will update the answer with another screenshot. – Weaner

Hmm, yes I used the Finder navigator didn't work - but it actually work when writing the path without the navigator like this ./project_1/.venv/bin/python I'm on macOS btw. Looks like its a bit buggy. Thanks! – Riggle

@Riggle Your comment helped me get the base interpreter running on macOS. But I have yet to find out how to get it to work with interactive Jupyter notebooks. – Chaechaeronea

Answer 2

Hard to figure out, took me a few hours so I'll leave this here for reference.

How to create separate virtual environments: microsoft/vscode-python "Mono Repo Set-up Guide"

TL;DR

1. Open root folder (myRepo)
2. Click on File > Add Folder to Workspace...
3. Select all project folders you want to add as a workspace (project_1, project_2)
4. For each project/workspace, create a virtual environment.

Inure