Vim: Jupyter notebook mode

[TyberiusPrime]

Describe the bug
The october update of vscode brought
a nice feature where jupyter notebooks run directly inside vscode,
see https://code.visualstudio.com/docs/python/jupyter-support.

Unfortunatly, vim mode is completely off when opening a .ipynb file.

To Reproduce

1. command palette - "Python: Create Blank New Jupyter Notebook"
2. Press enter to enter the default empty cell.
3. Observe missing vim mode.

Expected behavior
I'd expect entering a cell to drop me into normal mode,
and 'escape' in normal mode to leave the cell.

Environment (please complete the following information):

• Extension (VsCodeVim) version: 1.11.0
• VSCode version: 1.39.0
• OS: Ubuntu bionic

[J-Fields]

As far as I know, we have no control over this. Please file an issue with the VSCode team.

[thoo]

@J-Fields
According to VSCode team, we should request the issue here. #81812

I believe this is more of a consequence of how the extension built the feature, you should go through their repo first and maybe VS Code could provide APIs to help support this.

[J-Fields]

Thanks for pointing that out @thoo. I actually think "the extension" refers to the python extension which enables the fancy view of notebooks. My understanding is that they use a webview so extensions within the cells won't work (see this comment and this older issue I just recalled).

[thoo]

Thanks for clarification. If anyone looking for this information, here is the issue #7866 from vscode python-extension. As of now, vim mode is not supported at jupyter notebook files.

Sorry but this isn't supported at this time. VS code extensions don't load in the notebook editor.
See this other bug:

7875

[ishipachev]

Hi!
I have a good news. With new API Juptyer Notebooks got a better support from VS Code.
I just tried do all by instruction here:
https://towardsdatascience.com/vscode-jupyter-notebooks-are-getting-an-upgrade-cc9aaaefc744
In this short article also an instruction of how to open jupyter notebook through fancy new fully supported mode.

And vim mode worked for me! It's no longer an issue.

[raoulg]

Hi!
I have a good news. With new API Juptyer Notebooks got a better support from VS Code.
I just tried do all by instruction here:
https://towardsdatascience.com/vscode-jupyter-notebooks-are-getting-an-upgrade-cc9aaaefc744
In this short article also an instruction of how to open jupyter notebook through fancy new fully supported mode.

And vim mode worked for me! It's no longer an issue.

Well, I use:

• Python (microsoft) 2020.8.109390
• Vim (vscodevim) 1.16.0
• VS Code Jupyter Notebook Previewer 1.2.2

Even after disabling and restarting the last plugin, I still have this behavior:

• while editing a cell, and pressing ESC, I stop editing the cell.

So no normal mode for ipynb.... How did you get this to work, exactly?

[rickyelopez]

I'm in the same boat as @raoulg... New insiders version of Jupyter integration is very nice, but I can't exit normal mode

[mvolkmann]

@raoulg The instructions at https://towardsdatascience.com/vscode-jupyter-notebooks-are-getting-an-upgrade-cc9aaaefc744 can only be read by people that pay for access to Medium. Could you add the relevant parts in this issue so I can see the steps to get Vim to work in Jupyter cells?

[dang-qi]

@raoulg The instructions at https://towardsdatascience.com/vscode-jupyter-notebooks-are-getting-an-upgrade-cc9aaaefc744 can only be read by people that pay for access to Medium. Could you add the relevant parts in this issue so I can see the steps to get Vim to work in Jupyter cells?

@mvolkmann
I could read it by just register an account without paying.

[mvolkmann]

@dang-qi I think that's because you haven't read many Medium articles yet. I have hit the free limit and now need to pay $5/month to read more.

[rickyelopez]

Get a First Look at These New Features

These features are available at the Insiders version of both VSCode and the Python extension. Put simply, here are the steps to enable these experimental features:

Download & Install Visual Studio Code Insiders here.
Install the Python extension on the Extension manager.
Enable the Insiders Daily channel for the Python extension.

Image for post
Image for post

That’s it! It’ll start installing and let you know to reload your VSCode Insiders after completion. Now, whenever you wish to open an .ipynb file with the new Jupyter Notebook UI, open the context menu (right-click on the file) and select “Open in Preview Notebook Editor”.

Note that following these instructions did not enable VSCodeVim for me, not sure how it worked for somebody else.

[mvolkmann]

Thanks @rickyelopez! I used to use VS Code Insiders but decided I didn't need the risk of daily updates breaking things. I think I'll wait until this is available in a stable version. But I'm glad to hear Vim support in Jupyter Notebooks should be coming soon!

[rickyelopez]

Thanks @rickyelopez! I used to use VS Code Insiders but decided I didn't need the risk of daily updates breaking things. I think I'll wait until this is available in a stable version. But I'm glad to hear Vim support in Jupyter Notebooks should be coming soon!

Following those instructions did not work for enabling Vim support for me. Did they work for you?

[mvolkmann]

@rickyelopez I didn't try it because I prefer not to use the Insiders version of VS Code.

[rickyelopez]

@rickyelopez I didn't try it because I prefer not to use the Insiders version of VS Code.

Gotcha.

@ishipachev can you comment on whether you did anything special to get this working after following those instructions?

[pietrodelugas]

Hi
for me it works in wsl2, Ubuntu 20.4. Usinig it directly in Ubuntu it doesn't work.

[JosXa]

@dang-qi I think that's because you haven't read many Medium articles yet. I have hit the free limit and now need to pay $5/month to read more.

Psssssst 🤫, _try incognito mode and thank me later_