Enable Python Linting in VS Code: Interpreter & Setup

To get linting in VS Code’s Python extension working right away—especially if you’re new and followed something like Mosh’s tutorial but see nothing—start by picking the correct Python interpreter (check the status bar at bottom-left). Install pylint or flake8 directly into that interpreter’s environment with pip install pylint (or flake8), then flip python.linting.enabled to true in settings. If issues persist, it’s usually the interpreter mismatch or linter not in the right spot— we’ll fix that step by step.

Contents

• Quick Setup Checklist
• Select the Right Python Interpreter
• Install Pylint or Flake8 in Your Environment
• Enable and Configure Linting
• Troubleshooting Common Issues
• Example Configurations and FAQ
• Sources
• Conclusion

Quick Setup Checklist

New to VSCode Python? Here’s the one-minute path to linting Python success. Tick these off:

1. Hit Ctrl+Shift+P (Cmd+Shift+P on Mac), type “Python: Select Interpreter,” pick your project’s venv or global Python.
2. Open terminal (Ctrl+`` ), run pip install pylint (use flake8 if you prefer lighter checks).
3. Settings (Ctrl+,): Search “python linting enabled,” set to true. Choose linter via “Python: Select Linter.”
4. Save a .py file with an error like print("hi"—squiggles should appear.

Done? Great. Linting catches undefined vars, bad imports, even style slips before you run code. But if not… keep reading. Why? Tutorials like Mosh’s skip interpreter drama.

Select the Right Python Interpreter

Ever notice VS Code’s bottom status bar saying “Python 3.x.x”? That’s your active python interpreter vscode. Wrong one? No linting. Period.

python interpreter vscode selection is step zero. Open Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P), search “python interpreter vscode” or “Python: Select Interpreter.” You’ll see options: global Python, venvs, conda envs.

• New project? Create venv first: Terminal → python -m venv .venv, then select .venv\Scripts\python.exe (Windows) or .venv/bin/python (Mac/Linux).
• vscode python venv tip: Refresh if you just made it—click the refresh icon in the interpreter picker.

The official VS Code Python tutorial stresses this: match your project’s env. Mosh probably used global Python; your setup might not.

Status bar wrong after? Ctrl+Shift+P → “Python: Select Interpreter” again. Boom—fixed for python env vscode.

Install Pylint or Flake8 in Your Environment

Linters aren’t magic. The Python extension needs them installed in the selected interpreter. Not globally, unless that’s your interp.

Open integrated terminal (Ctrl+`` )—it auto-activates your venv if selected right. Run:

pip install pylint

Or for speed:

pip install flake8

flake8 vscode users love it—faster than pylint, catches linting python basics like unused imports.

Proof? Type junk code: prnit("test"). Red squiggles? Linter’s alive. No? Interpreter mismatch (next section).

Microsoft’s Python blog nails it: install via pip in the marked “recommended” interpreter. Ruff’s another hot pick (pip install ruff)—modern, blazing fast.

And yeah, pylint vscode or flake8 vscode—both work. Pick one via Command Palette: “Python: Select Linter.”

Enable and Configure Linting

Python linting enabled? Search settings (Ctrl+,) for “python.linting.enabled”—toggle true. It’s on by default now, but old installs glitch.

Deeper config? Ctrl+Shift+P → “Preferences: Open Settings (JSON)”:

{
 "python.linting.enabled": true,
 "python.linting.pylintEnabled": true,
 "python.linting.flake8Enabled": false, // or true if using flake8
 "pylint.importStrategy": "fromEnvironment",
 "python.linting.lintOnSave": true
}

pylint.importStrategy: "fromEnvironment" tells it: use my interp’s libs. No more “module not found” false alarms.

The VS Code linting docs clarify: linting spots runtime issues, unlike formatters. Enable on-type/save for real-time feedback.

python formatter vscode bonus: Add "python.formatting.provider": "black" later. Separate but pairs nice.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Linting python ghosts you? Here’s the hit list—90% fix these.

• No squiggles at all: Linter missing. Terminal: pip list | grep pylint. Not there? Reinstall in interp. Reselect interpreter.
• “No Python interpreter”: Install Python, then select. Check environments docs.
• Wrong env warnings: Status bar lies? Ctrl+Shift+P → Reload Window.
• Deprecated settings: Old “python.linting.pylintPath”? Ditch it—new extension auto-finds.
• Extension broke: Uninstall/reinstall vscode extension python (ms-python.python).

Stack Overflow threads echo this: enable via commands, check Problems panel (Ctrl+Shift+M).

Problems panel empty? Linting’s off or busted. Reload.

Example Configurations and FAQ

Full settings.json for pylint pros:

{
 "python.defaultInterpreterPath": "./.venv/bin/python",
 "python.linting.enabled": true,
 "python.linting.pylintEnabled": true,
 "pylint.args": ["--load-plugins=pylint.extensions.docparams"],
 "python.linting.lintOnSave": "warning"
}

FAQ:

Q: Followed Mosh—still no lint?
A: His global Python ≠ your venv. Select interp first.

Q: Как запустить python в vscode with lint?
A: Save file, Ctrl+F5. Linting pre-checks.

Q: Black + flake8?
A: "[python]": { "editor.formatOnSave": true, "editor.codeActionsOnSave": { "source.fixAll": true } }

Community docs add: auto-save triggers linting.

Test: def foo(): print "bad"—flags galore.

Sources

1. Python Linting in Visual Studio Code - Microsoft Python Blog
2. Linting Python in Visual Studio Code
3. Getting Started with Python in VS Code
4. Python environments in VS Code
5. Linting | Python in Visual Studio Code (community docs)
6. Linting & Formatting — How to Python in VS Code Documentation
7. How to enable Pylint in VSCode? - Stack Overflow
8. Pylint not running as expected in VS Code - Stack Overflow
9. Pylint does not work · Issue #12285 · microsoft/vscode-python
10. Lint Python code - Microsoft Learn

Conclusion

Nail vscode python linting by prioritizing interpreter selection, targeted installs like pip install pylint in your vscode python venv, and python linting enabled toggles. Troubleshoot fast—mismatches kill it quickest. You’ll code cleaner, spot bugs early. Questions? Drop interpreter version below. Happy linting!