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Visual Studio Code is a free source code editor developed my Microsoft. It feels much more lightweight than traditional IDEs, yet its extensions make it versatile enough to handle just about any type of development work, including Python and the Django web framework. This guide shows how to use Visual Studio Code for Django projects.

Installation

Make sure the latest version of Visual Studio Code is installed. Then, install the following (free) extensions:

Python (published by Microsoft) – for full Python language support
Django Template – for template file source highlighting
Django Snippets – for common Django code
- Alternatively, install Djaniero – Django Snippets if you prefer

Reload Visual Studio Code after installation.

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Editing Code

The VS Code Python editor is really first-class. The syntax highlighting is on point, and the shortcuts are mostly what you’d expect from an IDE. Django template files also show syntax highlighting. The Explorer, which shows the project directory structure on the left, may be toggled on and off using the top-left file icon. Check out Python with Visual Studio Code for more features.

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Virtual Environments

Virtual environments with venv or virtualenv make it easy to manage Python versions and packages locally rather than globally (system-wide). A common best practice is to create a virtual environment for each Python project and install only the packages the project needs via pip. Different environments make it possible to develop projects with different version requirements on the same machine.

Visual Studio Code allows users to configure Python environments. Navigate to File > Preferences > Settings and set the python.pythonPath setting to the path of the desired Python executable. Set it as a Workspace Setting instead of a User Setting if the virtual environment will be specific to the project.

Python virtual environment setup is shown as a Workspace Setting. The terminal window shows the creation and activation of the virtual environment, too.

Helpful Settings

Visual Studio Code settings can be configured to automatically lint and format code, which is especially helpful for Python. As shown on Ruddra’s Blog, install the following packages:

$ pip install pep8
$ pip install autopep8
$ pip install pylint

And then add the following settings:

{
    "team.showWelcomeMessage": false,
    "editor.formatOnSave": true,
    "python.linting.pep8Enabled": true,
    "python.linting.pylintPath": "/path/to/pylint",
    "python.linting.pylintArgs": [
        "--load-plugins",
        "pylint_django"
    ],
    "python.linting.pylintEnabled": true
}

Editor settings may also be language-specific. For example, to limit automatic formatting to Python files only:

{
    "[python]": {
        "editor.formatOnSave": true
    }
}

Make sure to set the pylintPath setting to the real path value. Keep in mind that these settings are optional.

Full settings for automatically formatting and linting the Python code.

Running Django Commands

Django development relies heavily on its command-line utility. Django commands can be run from a system terminal, but Visual Studio Code provides an Integrated Terminal within the app. The Integrated Terminal is convenient because it opens right to the project’s root directory. Plus, it’s in the same window as the code. The terminal can be opened from View > Integrated Terminal or using the “Ctrl-`” shortcut.

Running Django commands from within the editor is delightfully convenient.

Debugging

Debugging is another way Visual Studio Code’s Django support shines. The extensions already provide the launch configuration for debugging Django apps! As a bonus, it should already be set to use the Python path given by the python.pythonPath setting (for virtual environments). Simply switch to the Debug view and run the Django configuration. The config can be edited if necessary. Then, set breakpoints at the desired lines of code. The debugger will stop at any breakpoints as the Django app runs while the user interacts with the site.

The Django extensions provide a default debug launch config. Simply set breakpoints and then run the “Django” config to debug!

Version Control

Version control in Visual Studio Code is simple and seamless. Git has become the dominant tool in the industry, but VS Code supports other tools as well. The Source Control view shows all changes and provides options for all actions (like commits, pushes, and pulls). Clicking changed files also opens a diff. For Git, there’s no need to use the command line!

The Source Control view with a diff for a changed file.

Visual Studio Code creates a hidden “.vscode” directory in the project root directory for settings and launch configurations. Typically, these settings are specific to a user’s preferences and should be kept to the local workspace only. Remember to exclude them from the Git repository by adding the “.vscode” directory to the .gitignore file.

.gitignore setting for the .vscode directory

Editor Comparisons

JetBrains PyCharm is one of the most popular Python IDEs available today. Its Python and Django development features are top-notch: full code completion, template linking and debugging, a manage.py console, and more. PyCharm also includes support for other Python web frameworks, JavaScript frameworks, and database connections. Django features, however, are available only in the (paid) licensed Professional Edition. It is possible to develop Django apps in the free Community Edition, as detailed in Django Projects in PyCharm Community Edition, but the missing features are a significant limitation. Plus, being a full IDE, PyCharm can feel heavy with its load time and myriad of options.

PyCharm is one of the best overall Python IDEs/editors, but there are other good ones out there. PyDev is an Eclipse-based IDE that provides Django support for free. Sublime Text and Atom also have plugins for Django. Visual Studio Code is nevertheless a viable option. It feels fast and simple yet powerful. Here’s my recommended decision table:

What’s Going On	What You Should Do
Do you already have a PyCharm license?	Just use PyCharm Professional Edition.
Will you work on a large-scale Django project?	Strongly consider buying the license.
Do you need something fast, simple, and with basic Django support for free?	Use Visual Studio Code, Atom, or Sublime Text.
Do you really want to stick to a full IDE for free?	Pick PyDev if you like Eclipse, or follow the guide for Django Projects in PyCharm Community Edition

[Update on 9/30/2018: Check out the official VS Code guide here: Use Django in Visual Studio Code.]

JetBrains PyCharm is one of the best Python IDEs around. It’s smooth and intuitive – a big step up from Atom or Notepad++ for big projects. PyCharm is available as a standalone IDE or as a plugin for its big sister, IntelliJ IDEA. The free Community Edition provides basic features akin to IntelliJ, while the licensed Professional Edition provides advanced features such as web development and database tools. The Professional Edition isn’t cheap, though: a license for one user may cost up to $199 annually (though discounts and free licenses may be available).

This guide shows how to develop Django web projects using PyCharm Community Edition. Even though Django-specific features are available only in PyCharm Professional Edition, it is still possible to develop Django projects using the free version with help from the command line. Personally, I’ve been using the free version of PyCharm to develop a small web site for a side business of mine. This guide covers setup steps, basic actions, and feature limitations based on my own experiences. Due to the limitations in the free version, I recommend it only for small Django projects or for hobbyists who want to play around. I also recommend considering Visual Studio Code as an alternative, as shown in my article Django Projects in Visual Studio Code.

Prerequisites

This guide focuses specifically on configuring PyCharm Community Edition for Django development. As such, readers should be familiar with Python and the Django web framework. Readers should also be comfortable with the command line for a few actions, specifically for Django admin commands. Experience with JetBrains software like PyCharm and IntelliJ IDEA is helpful but not required.

Python and PyCharm Community Edition must be installed on the development machine. If you are not sure which version of Python to use, I strongly recommend Python 3. Any required Python packages (namely Django) should be installed via pip.

Creating Django Projects and Apps

Django projects and apps require a specific directory layout with some required settings. It is possible to create this content manually through PyCharm, but it is recommended to use the standard Django commands instead, as shown in Part 1 of the official Django tutorial.

> django-admin startproject newproject
> cd newproject
> django-admin startapp newapp

Then, open the new project in PyCharm. The files and directories will be visible in the Project Explorer view.

The project root directory should be at the top of Project Explorer. The .idea folder contains IDE-specific config files that are not relevant for Django.

Creating New Files and Directories

Creating new files and directories is easy. Simply right-click the parent directory in Project Explorer and select the appropriate file type under New. Files may be deleted using right-click options as well or by highlighting the file and typing the Delete or Backspace key.

Files and folders are easy to visually create, copy, move, rename, and delete.

Django projects require a specific directory structure. Make sure to put files in the right places with the correct names. PyCharm Community Edition won’t check for you.

Writing New Code

Double-click any file in Project Explorer to open it in an editor. The Python editor offers all standard IDE features like source highlighting, real-time error checking, code completion, and code navigation. This is the main reason why I use PyCharm over a simpler editor for Python development. PyCharm also has many keyboard shortcuts to make actions easier.

Nice.

Editors for other file types, such as HTML, CSS, or JavaScript, may require additional plugins not included with PyCharm Community Edition. For example, Django templates must be edited in the regular HTML editor because the special editor is available only in the Professional Edition.

Workable, but not as nice.

Running Commands from the Command Line

Django admin commands can be run from the command line. PyCharm automatically refreshes any file changes almost immediately. Typically, I switch to the command line to add new apps, make migrations, and update translations. I also created a few aliases for easier file searching.

> python manage.py makemigrations
> python manage.py migrate
> python manage.py makemessages -l zh
> python manage.py compilemessages
> python manage.py test
> python manage.py collectstatic
> python manage.py runserver

Creating Run Configurations

PyCharm Community Edition does not include the Django manage.py utility feature. Nevertheless, it is possible to create Run Configurations for any Django admin command so that they can be run in the IDE instead of at the command line.

First, make sure that a Project SDK is set. From the File menu, select Project Structure…. Verify that a Project SDK is assigned on the Project tab. If not, then you may need to create a new one – the SDK should be the Python installation directory or a virtual environment. Make sure to save the new Project SDK setting by clicking the OK button.

Don’t leave that Project SDK blank!

Then from the Run menu, select Edit Configurations…. Click the plus button in the upper-left corner to add a Python configuration. Give the config a good name (like “Django: <command>”). Then, set Script to “manage.py” and Script parameters to the name and options for the desired Django admin command (like “runserver”). Set Working directory to the absolute path of the project root directory. Make sure the appropriate Python SDK is selected and the PYTHONPATH settings are checked. Click the OK button to save the config. The command can then be run from Run menu options or from the run buttons in the upper-right corner of the IDE window.

Run configurations should look like this. Anything done at the command line can also be done here.

When commands are run, the Run view appears at the bottom of the IDE window to show console output.

Special run configurations are particularly useful for the “test” and “runserver” commands because they enable rudimentary debugging. You can set breakpoints, run the command with debugging, and step through the Python code. If you need to interact with a web page to exercise the code, PyCharm will take screen focus once a breakpoint is hit. Even though debugging Django templates is not possible in the free version, debugging the Python code can help identify most problems. Be warned that debugging is typically a bit slower than normal execution.

Debugging makes Django development so much easier.

I typically use the command line instead of run configurations for other Django commands just for simplicity.

Version Control Systems

PyCharm has out-of-the-box support for version control systems like Git and Subversion. VCS actions are available under the VCS menu or when right-clicking a file in Project Explorer. PyCharm can directly check out projects from a repository, add new projects to a repository, or automatically identify the version control system being used when opening a project. Any VCS commands entered at the command line will be automatically reflected in PyCharm.

PyCharm’s VCS menu is initially generic. Once you select a VCS for your project, the options will be changed to reflect the chosen VCS. For example, Git will have options for “Fetch”, “Pull”, and “Push”.

Personally, I use Git with either GitHub or Atlassian Bitbucket. I prefer to do most Git actions like graphically through PyCharm, but occasionally I drop to the command line when I need to do more advanced operations (like checking commit IDs or forcing hard resets). PyCharm also has support for .gitignore files.

Python Virtual Environments

Creating virtual environments is a great way to manage Python project dependencies. Virtual environments are especially useful when deploying Django web apps. I strongly recommend setting up a virtual environment for every Python project you develop.

PyCharm can use virtual environments to run the project. If a virtual environment already exists, then it can be set as the Project SDK under Project Structure as described above. Select New… > Python SDK > Add Local, and set the path. Otherwise, new virtual environments can be created directly through PyCharm. Follow the same process to add a virtual environment, but under Python SDK, select Create VirtualEnv instead of Add Local. Give the new virtual environment an appropriate name and path. Typically, I put my virtual environments either all in one common place or one level up from my project root directory.

Creating a new virtual environment is pretty painless.

Databases

Out of the box, PyCharm Community Edition won’t give you database tools. You’re stuck with third-party plugins, the command line, or external database tools. This isn’t terrible, though. Since Django abstracts data into the Model layer, most developers rarely need to directly interact with the underlying database. Nevertheless, the open-source Database Navigator plugin provides support in PyCharm for the major databases (Oracle, MySQL, SQLite, PostgreSQL).

Limitations

The sections above show that PyCharm Community Edition can handle Django projects just like any other Python projects. This is a blessing and a curse, because advanced features are available only in the Professional Edition:

Django template support
Inter-project navigation (view to template)
Better code completion
Identifier resolution (especially class-to-instance fields)
Model dependency graphs
manage.py utility console
Database tools

The two features that matter most to me are the template support and the better code completion. With templates, I sometimes make typos or forget closing tags. With code completion, not all options are available because Django does some interesting things with model fields and dynamically-added attributes. However, all these missing features are “nice-to-have” but not “need-to-have” for me.

Conclusion

I hope you found this guide useful! Feel free to enter suggestions for better usage in the comments section below. You may also want to look at alternatives, such as Visual Studio Code or PyDev.