Easier management of terminal and python packages for current python environment

[geobarry]

Type: Feature Request

How to send feedback to the VS Code team (quick steps)

• Open VS Code.
• Press Ctrl+Shift+P → type "Help: Report Issue" → Enter to open the built‑in feedback flow.
• Or open Command Palette Ctrl+Shift+P → type "Help: Submit Feedback" → Enter.
• If you prefer public discussion, open the Visual Studio Code repository issues page: https://github.com/microsoft/vscode/issues and create a new issue labeled "Feature Request" or "UX: Beginner onboarding".

Suggested priority list of improvements (paste into the feedback form)

• Make environment activation transparent: automatically show and confirm which interpreter will be used by the integrated terminal, with a one‑click "Open terminal with this environment" button.
• One‑click package install for the selected interpreter: a UI button that runs python -m pip install (or conda install) for the active interpreter, with progress and error logs shown inline.
• Clearer interpreter paths: display the full resolved path (no ~ shorthand) in the status bar and interpreter selector; provide a copy‑path button.
• Terminal initialization guidance: if conda/python are missing from PATH, detect this and offer an automated "Initialize Conda/Populate PATH" action or a guided one‑click fix.
• Beginner onboarding flow: interactive first‑use walkthrough that explains interpreters vs. terminals, shows how to open a terminal that’s activated, and verifies python -m pip works.
• Better error messages: when commands fail (e.g., "python not recognized"), show actionable steps tailored to the OS and recommended commands the user can copy.

VS Code version: Code 1.105.1 (7d842fb85a0275a4a8e4d7e040d2625abbf7f084, 2025-10-14T22:33:36.618Z)
OS version: Windows_NT x64 10.0.26100
Modes:

[eleanorjboyd]

Hello @geobarry! Have you tried the new Python Environments Extension? We have a lot of these ideas as features in that extension which we are rolling out. You will need to add python.useEnvironmentsExtension: true to your user settings to see it. Give it a try and let me know what you think and which features you still think are missing!

[github-actions]

Because we have not heard back with the information we requested, we are closing this issue for now. If you are able to provide the info later on, then we will be happy to re-open this issue to pick up where we left off.

Happy Coding!