install python 1 VS Code & Python Setup on Ubuntu: Complete Guide for Beginners (2026)

VS Code & Python Setup on Ubuntu: Complete Guide for Beginners (2026)

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If you want to learn Python programming on Ubuntu, Visual Studio Code (VS Code) is one of the best code editors you can use. It provides features such as syntax highlighting, debugging, extensions, code completion, integrated terminal, and Python environment support.

In this guide, you will learn how to set up Python and VS Code on Ubuntu from scratch and create your first Python program.

What You Need

Before starting, make sure you have:

  • Ubuntu Linux
  • Internet connection
  • Python 3 installed
  • Visual Studio Code
  • Basic knowledge of using the Linux terminal

Step 1: Check Python Installation

Ubuntu usually comes with Python 3 pre-installed.

Open the Terminal and run:

python3 --version

You should see something similar to:

Python 3.12.3

The exact version may be different depending on your Ubuntu installation.

You can also check the location of Python:

which python3

Example output:

/usr/bin/python3

If Python is not installed, you can install it using:

sudo apt update
sudo apt install python3 python3-pip python3-venv

After installation, verify it again:

python3 --version

Step 2: Install Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code is a lightweight but powerful editor developed by Microsoft.

After installing VS Code, check whether it is available from the terminal:

code --version

If the command displays a version number, VS Code is ready to use.

You can open VS Code from the application menu or run:

code

Step 3: Install the Python Extension

Open VS Code and click the Extensions icon from the left sidebar.

Search for:

Python

Install the Python extension published by Microsoft.

It provides important Python development features, including:

  • Python code completion
  • Syntax highlighting
  • Debugging
  • Testing
  • Virtual environment support
  • Code navigation
  • Error detection

You can also install Pylance for improved Python language support.

Step 4: Create a Python Project

It is a good practice to keep every Python project in its own directory.

Create a projects folder:

mkdir ~/PythonProjects

Go inside it:

cd ~/PythonProjects

Create a new project:

mkdir myproject

Enter the project directory:

cd myproject

Now open the project in VS Code:

code .

VS Code will open the myproject folder.

Step 5: Create a Virtual Environment

Virtual environments are very important in Python development.

A virtual environment keeps project dependencies separate from your system Python installation.

Create one using:

python3 -m venv venv

This creates a directory named:

venv

Your project structure will now look like:

myproject/
└── venv/

Step 6: Activate the Virtual Environment

On Ubuntu and other Linux distributions, activate the environment using:

source venv/bin/activate

After activation, your terminal should show something similar to:

(venv) user@ubuntu:~/PythonProjects/myproject$

The (venv) indicates that the virtual environment is active.

Step 7: Select the Python Interpreter in VS Code

VS Code needs to know which Python interpreter your project should use.

Press:

Ctrl + Shift + P

Search for:

Python: Select Interpreter

Select the Python interpreter located inside your virtual environment:

./venv/bin/python

This ensures that VS Code uses your project’s virtual environment.

Step 8: Create Your First Python Program

Inside VS Code, create a new file:

hello.py

Add the following code:

print("Hello, Python!")
print("VS Code is ready.")

Save the file.

Step 9: Run the Python Program

You can run the program directly from the VS Code terminal.

Make sure your virtual environment is active:

source venv/bin/activate

Then run:

python hello.py

You should get:

Hello, Python!
VS Code is ready.

Congratulations! Your Python development environment is now working.

Step 10: Install Python Packages

Python has thousands of packages that can be installed using pip.

For example, install the requests package:

pip install requests

You can verify the installed package with:

pip show requests

Now create a Python file:

import requests

response = requests.get("https://example.com")

print(response.status_code)

Run it:

python hello.py

Step 11: Create a requirements.txt File

When working on larger projects, it is useful to save the project’s dependencies.

Run:

pip freeze > requirements.txt

You will get a file like:

requirements.txt

Other developers can install the same dependencies using:

pip install -r requirements.txt

This is especially useful when uploading Python projects to GitHub or deploying them to a server.

Step 12: Debug Python Code in VS Code

One of the biggest advantages of VS Code is its built-in debugging support.

For example:

name = "Adil"
age = 25

print(name)
print(age)

You can place a breakpoint by clicking next to the line number.

Then start the debugger from the Run and Debug section.

The debugger allows you to:

  • Stop program execution
  • Inspect variables
  • Execute code step by step
  • Find errors
  • Understand program flow

This makes debugging much easier than using only print() statements.

Recommended Python Project Structure

For a beginner project, you can use:

myproject/
│
├── venv/
├── main.py
├── requirements.txt
└── README.md

For a larger project:

myproject/
│
├── venv/
├── app/
│   ├── __init__.py
│   ├── main.py
│   └── utils.py
│
├── tests/
├── requirements.txt
├── README.md
└── .gitignore

Common Problems and Solutions

Python Command Not Found

If you get:

python: command not found

Try:

python3 --version

On Ubuntu, python3 is commonly the correct command.

Virtual Environment Cannot Be Created

If you get an error related to venv, install the required package:

sudo apt install python3-venv

Then create the environment again:

python3 -m venv venv

pip Installation Error

If Ubuntu reports an externally managed Python environment, avoid installing packages globally.

Instead, create and activate a virtual environment:

python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate

Then install packages:

pip install package-name

VS Code Uses the Wrong Python Version

Open the Command Palette:

Ctrl + Shift + P

Select:

Python: Select Interpreter

Then choose:

venv/bin/python

Why Use VS Code for Python?

VS Code is popular among Python developers because it combines a lightweight editor with powerful development tools.

Important features include:

  • Python extension support
  • Intelligent code completion
  • Debugging
  • Integrated terminal
  • Git integration
  • Virtual environment support
  • Extensions
  • Code formatting
  • Testing tools
  • Project management

It can be used for everything from beginner Python programs to web applications, automation tools, APIs, data analysis, and machine-learning projects.

What Can You Build After Setting Up Python?

Once Python and VS Code are configured, you can start building real projects.

Beginner Projects

  • Calculator
  • Number guessing game
  • To-do list
  • Quiz application
  • Password generator
  • File organizer

Intermediate Projects

  • Web scraper
  • Weather application
  • Expense tracker
  • MySQL database application
  • REST API
  • Automation scripts

Advanced Projects

  • Flask web application
  • Django website
  • AI application
  • Chatbot
  • Machine-learning project
  • Voice assistant
  • Business management system

Conclusion

Setting up VS Code and Python on Ubuntu is straightforward. First, verify Python, install VS Code, add the Python extension, create a project directory, and create a virtual environment.

Once your environment is ready, you can write, run, debug, and manage Python applications directly from VS Code.

The most important command sequence to remember is:

mkdir ~/PythonProjects
cd ~/PythonProjects
mkdir myproject
cd myproject
python3 -m venv venv
source venv/bin/activate
code .

After completing this setup, you are ready to start learning Python and building real-world applications.