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Running Python Notebooks with UV

This guide walks you through setting up and running Python notebooks (from the Kalix Tutorials) in VSCode on Windows, using UV to manage the environment. Code autocomplete will work once you're done.

1) Install UV and VSCode (once per machine)

  • Install UV by running this in PowerShell, then close and reopen PowerShell so it's on your path:
powershell -ExecutionPolicy ByPass -c "irm https://astral.sh/uv/install.ps1 | iex"
  • Install VSCode, and in its Extensions panel (Ctrl+Shift+X) add the Python extension by Microsoft (this bundles the Jupyter extension too).

2) Set up an environment for the KalixTutorials project

  • In VSCode, File → Open Folder and open the top-level Kalix Tutorials folder.

  • Open a terminal (Terminal → New Terminal) and confirm you're in the project root.

  • Create the environment:

uv venv
  • Install the packages:
uv pip install --python .venv\Scripts\python.exe kalix ipykernel matplotlib

3) Run a notebook

  • Open a notebook (.ipynb) and click the kernel selector in the top-right corner.

  • Choose Python Environments and pick the .venv inside your project folder.

  • If it doesn't appear, use Ctrl+Shift+P → Python: Select Interpreter → Enter interpreter path... and browse to .venv\Scripts\python.exe.

  • Run a cell with Shift+Enter — code execution and autocomplete will both work.

Troubleshooting

  • "Running cells requires ipykernel" — ipykernel isn't in the environment VSCode selected. Re-run the install command, making sure it targets your project's local .venv and not a .venv under C:\Users\....

  • Autocomplete isn't working — VSCode's language server is pointed at the wrong interpreter. Use Ctrl+Shift+P → Python: Select Interpreter and pick the project's .venv\Scripts\python.exe, then reload with Ctrl+Shift+P → Developer: Reload Window. Make sure kalix actually installed by checking uv pip list --python .venv\Scripts\python.exe.