zed/docs/src/repl.md

# REPL

## Getting started

Bring the power of [Jupyter kernels](https://docs.jupyter.org/en/latest/projects/kernels.html) to your editor! The built-in REPL for Zed allows you to run code interactively in your editor similarly to a notebook with your own text files.

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## Installation

Zed supports running code in multiple languages. To get started, you need to install a kernel for the language you want to use.

**Currently supported languages:**

* [Python (ipykernel)](#python)
* [TypeScript (Deno)](#typescript-deno)

Once installed, you can start using the REPL in the respective language files, or other places those languages are supported, such as Markdown.

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## Using the REPL

To start the REPL, open a file with the language you want to use and use the `repl: run` command (defaults to `ctrl-shift-enter` on macOS). You can also click on the REPL icon in the toolbar.

The `repl: run` command will be executed on your selection(s), and the result will be displayed below the selection.

Outputs can be cleared with the `repl: clear outputs` command, or from the REPL menu in the toolbar.

## Language specific instructions

### Python {#python}

#### Global environment

<div class="warning">

On MacOS, your system Python will _not_ work. Either set up [pyenv](https://github.com/pyenv/pyenv?tab=readme-ov-file#installation) or use a virtual environment.

</div>

To setup your current python to have an available kernel, run:

```
pip install ipykernel
python -m ipykernel install --user
```

#### Conda Environment

```
source activate myenv
conda install ipykernel
python -m ipykernel install --user --name myenv --display-name "Python (myenv)"
```

#### Virtualenv with pip

```
source activate myenv
pip install ipykernel
python -m ipykernel install --user --name myenv --display-name "Python (myenv)"
```

### Typescript: Deno {#typescript-deno}

[Install Deno](https://docs.deno.com/runtime/manual/getting_started/installation/) and then install the Deno jupyter kernel:

```
deno jupyter --install
```

### Other languages

The following languages and kernels are also supported. You can help us out by expanding their installation instructions and configuration:

* [Julia (IJulia)](https://github.com/JuliaLang/IJulia.jl)
* R
  - [Ark Kernel](https://github.com/posit-dev/ark) - via Positron, formerly RStudio
  - [Xeus-R](https://github.com/jupyter-xeus/xeus-r)
* [Scala (almond)](https://almond.sh/docs/quick-start-install)

## Changing which kernel is used per language {#changing-kernels}

Zed automatically detects the available kernels on your system. If you need to configure a different default kernel for a
language, you can assign a kernel for any supported language in your `settings.json`.

```jsonc
{
  "jupyter": {
    "kernel_selections": {
      "python": "conda-env",
      "typescript": "deno",
      "javascript": "deno"
    }
  }
}
```

If you have `jupyter` installed, you can run `jupyter kernelspec list` to see the available kernels.

```
$ jupyter kernelspec list
Available kernels:
  ark                   /Users/z/Library/Jupyter/kernels/ark
  conda-base            /Users/z/Library/Jupyter/kernels/conda-base
  deno                  /Users/z/Library/Jupyter/kernels/deno
  python-chatlab-dev    /Users/z/Library/Jupyter/kernels/python-chatlab-dev
  python3               /Users/z/Library/Jupyter/kernels/python3
  ruby                  /Users/z/Library/Jupyter/kernels/ruby
  rust                  /Users/z/Library/Jupyter/kernels/rust
```

Note: Zed will not find kernels nested within your Python `sys.prefix`, shown here as `/Users/z/.pyenv/versions/miniconda3-latest/`.

```
$ jupyter kernelspec list
Available kernels:
  conda-base            /Users/z/Library/Jupyter/kernels/conda-base
  python3               /Users/z/.pyenv/versions/miniconda3-latest/share/jupyter/kernels/python3
```

You must run `python -m ipykernel install --user` to install the kernel.