How to use jupyter notebook with R kernel in VS Code?

Question

Now I can use JupyterLab with an R kernel in a web browser and use VS Code to edit Jupyter notebook code with a Python kernel. Is it possible to edit R code in VS Code using Jupyter notebook mode? Thanks for the comments and solutions.

Answer 1

these notes in addition to the response by another response were very helpful. if you are using this with R versions in conda environments, first create and activate the conda environment:

mamba activate myenv
mamba install -c conda-forge r-irkernel 
mamba install jupyter

Run R while the environment is active:

IRkernel::installspec(name='r44_myenv', displayname='R 4.4.1 (myenv)')

Make sure you choose a unique name/displayname to avoid overlapping registrations.

You then follow the same steps above:

1. restart VSCode
2. Type Ctrl + Shift + P to search for "Jupyter: Create New Blank Notebook"
3. Select Kernel in the top right.
4. Select Another Kernel >> Jupyter Kernel >> R (myenv)

Hope that helps.

Answer 2

@testing_22 it works with me too

just add some note from my experience

It will failed If you run IRkernel::installspec() from RStudio or from Jupyter Conda environment

Please run this syntax with VSCode terminal

install.packages('IRkernel')
IRkernel::installspec()

The rest is same, please restart VSCode and select "R" kernel from VSCode

Answer 3

Yes, it is possible. You just have to install IRkernel (R kernel) first.

According to the docs, run both lines

install.packages('IRkernel')
IRkernel::installspec()  # to register the kernel in the current R installation

Then, restart your VSCode and:

• Type Ctrl + Shift + P to search for "Jupyter: Create New Blank Notebook"

• Click on the button right below ellipsis in upper right corner to choose kernel

  

• Switch to the desired kernel, in this case R's

That's it!